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Most who responded to a survey by the Town of Kingsville on short-term rentals say they are in favour of the accommodations but they want the town to implement a licensing bylaw.
The results of a survey of residents are to be presented to Kingsville’s committee of the whole May 13.
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More than 370 people responded to the online survey.
Almost 70 per cent of those who responded said they want the town to implement a licensing program for short-term rentals. In particular, most want inspections by fire, bylaw and building departments, and many want limits on the number of properties in a neighbourhood and limits on the number of guest allowed.
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The majority of respondents agree short-term rentals bring tourism spending to neighbouring shops and restaurants and play a positive role in increasing investment and business growth, but many also say they make it harder for residents to find quality affordable long-term housing and they increase noise, on-street parking and property damage.
About 73 per cent of respondents say they are aware of a short-term rental in their neighbourhoods and 26 per cent say they have been disrupted by presence of the accommodations.
Respondents said issues they have faced included noise – the largesgt issue – the number of people at the property, parking, garbage and fear of personal or property safety.
Of those who say they’ve been disrupted, 39 per cent say it happens a few times a year, 30 per cent say it happens more than once a month and 18.6 per cent say it happens more than once a week.
In most cases of disruptions, residents either talked to the property owner or took no steps. Others talked to the disruptive people, or contacted the town or the OPP.
Almost 76 per cent said they are supportive of short-term rentals with most asying they would like to see education, regulation and compliance initiatives.
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Asked if and where short-term property rentals should be prohibited, most said they do not favour prohibiting them, but others said they should be banned in residential and Lakefront residential areas.
Three quarters of respondents said owners or property managers of short-term rentals should be required to live in Kingsville, or within a 20-minute drive of the property. Only 35.5 per cent think short-term property managers should be required to live on the premises.
Asked if the town should levy an accommodation tax to collect revenue from visitors staying in short term rentals – such as that in place in Windsor – 57.4 per cent said yes.
Of those who responded to the survey, 11 per cent said they are short-term rental owners or operators.
bamacleod@postmedia.com
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