North-end Halifax group to meet with community council over Airbnb concerns

A groupin north-end Halifax that wants limits onAirbnbsin residential neighbourhoods says it's been contacted byhomeowners with similar concerns about short-term rentals elsewhere in the city.

Bill Stewart helped createNeighbours Speak Up after a property near his homein the Hydrostone areabecame an Airbnb.

"Living next to a short-term rental can be a challenge when it comes to guests' behaviour," said Stewart. "It can become a revolving door of people."

Stewart is scheduled to make a presentation to the Halifax West Community Council on Tuesday night.

Homeowners in south-end Halifax and Dartmouth have contacted his group's website with similar concerns, he said. The main problem is with properties where the owner is not the primary resident.

"We call them ghost hotels," said Stewart. "Those are the ones where you really see the potential for disruption."

Concern about housing availability

According to AirDNA, acompany that compiles market information on short-term rentals, there aremore than 1,800 Airbnbs in the Halifax region. Nearly three-quarters are entire homes, and about a third are available "full time."

Stewart is concerned that trend will also deplete the amount of housing available.

"Those are the ones that really hurtbecause they take up a property," said Stewart.

Both the provincial government and the Halifax Regional Municipalityare considering new rules for Airbnbs.

In May,Coun.Lindell Smith, who represents the district of Halifax North, asked for a report, and saideven those in the Airbnb industry are interested in some regulations.

The province plans to have an Airbnb registry up and running in 2020.