Oct. 1, 2022 – For immediate release:
Mayoral Candidate Rana Bokhari pledges today to impose the city’s five per cent accommodation fee on short-term rentals, such as those on platforms like Airbnb, in an effort to regulate the growing industry.
“With a shortage of affordable housing in the city, it is frustrating to lose potential housing to the short-term rental market,” says Rana.
“However, short-term rentals also provide flexible accommodations and support the local economy.”
“Currently, there are no specific taxes on short-term rentals in the city, yet hotels are charged an accommodation fee of five per cent.
“I will add short-term rentals to this by-law.”
The fee will add approximately $2.2 million to city coffers annually.
Short-term rentals are defined in Winnipeg as rentals under 30 days, provided by a property owner in a house, apartment or home, and would stay that way, she adds.
As the economy evolves and the way we conduct business changes, the city needs to take a balanced approach to regulating new platforms as innovative business needs continue to disrupt different industries.
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For more information:
Elisha Dacey, Press Secretary
204-290-8009
team@rana4wpg.ca
