Survey shows residents next to short-term rentals in Vernon unhappy with experience – Vernon News

An analysis of short-term rentals prepared for Vernon Council shows that more than half of survey respondents who live next door to these properties are unhappy with the experience.

The report notes 274 STR units listed on Airbnb and VRBO in Vernon.

He notes that the number is likely higher, however, because not all short-term rental units are advertised on these websites or online.

A May 2020 public survey which received 180 responses found nearly 56% had either a ‘bad’ (30.4%) or ‘extremely bad’ (25.3%) experience alongside an overnight rental short term.

The survey found that 19% had a “good” experience, 7.6% had a “fairly good” experience, and 17.7% said they had an “extremely good” experience.

In 2021, there were 49 complaints related to short-term rentals, which equates to just 1% of the total 6,000 complaints received last year.

The City of Vernon has put in place Good Neighbor By-law No. 4980 to address some of these complaints. Additionally, with a 0.7% vacancy rate in Vernon and rising rental housing prices, there are concerns that the growing LTR industry will reduce the availability of long-term rental housing in the community. .

Widely cited issues with STRs included parking, noise, safety and security, loss of community, and their impact on the availability of long-term rentals.

Six percent of respondents wanted a complete ban on short-term rentals, 9% wanted no regulation, and 30% supported them, as long as they were regulated by the city.

It is proposed to launch a community engagement process next month, which would include a survey of local tourism sector stakeholders, including STR operators, as well as a digital open day for the general public.

The proposed changes to the regulations would be considered later this summer, with a public hearing proposed for September.

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