For some, the sticker price on hotel stays in Victoria this coming summer is out of reach.
With new short-term rental housing legislation on its way, B.C. residents worry that the lack of rentals is to blame.
Lecksudha Purboo is a Victoria resident and student who was looking forward to celebrating both her graduation and birthday with her entire family, but she’s not sure if she, her fiancé and both their families can afford the rising hotel prices.
The family’s alternative was to find an Airbnb, but with the looming short-term rental rules, they are uncertain whether they should even bother trying to book a place.
“With this new short-term rental law coming in, it doesn’t seem possible for me,” exclaimed Purboo.
“I then checked if a hotel is the [best] option. Let’s check it out, and the prices are more than like $500 to $600 per night.”
The BC NDP introduced the legislation last October with the intent to increase badly needed rental housing. They say those offering short-term accommodation, like an Airbnb, also need to live on the property they’re renting.
READ ALSO: Victoria company feels unfairly lumped into B.C.’s new ‘short-term rental’ definition
Despite the government’s claims that it’s trying to protect housing, Purboo and her fiancé think this new law will hurt the local economy if it increases hotel prices, possibly making it out of reach for tourists to stay in the capital city.
“I work for a rental property management here and for short-term rentals, and I cannot even find accommodation for my family,” added Purboo.
“[People say,] ‘Oh, but you work in it.’ But I cannot do anything because it’s coming from the government.”
In a statement to CHEK News, B.C.’s housing ministry said communities like Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, where primary residence laws were already in place, would not see any changes or impacts.
The statement adds that the legislation’s goal is to balance the return of units to the long-term housing market in order to address the needs of tourism-dependent communities.
With the legislation taking effect on May 1, Purboo estimates there will likely be fewer options available during peak season, which may postpone or change her family’s plans to attend her special wedding and graduation day.
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