Mandatory Registration For Short-Term Rental Operators Aids Condo Enforcement

The City of Toronto has launched a registration system for short-term rental operators or hosts. Homeowners who rent their principal home or condo on a short-term basis must register with the City by the end of the year and renew annually. Operators must also post their City-issued registration number on all advertisements and listings, provide safety information to guests, and collect and remit 4% Municipal Accommodation Tax on all short-term rentals. Violators may be convicted of an offence and fined up to $100,000 and up to $10,000/day for each day the offence continues. The registration system provides operator accountability in addition to the rule enforcement system under the Condo Act, aiding condominiums in enforcing rogue operators who often adopt different aliases to escape detection and continue to skirt the rules.