The new rules and regulations designed to put those in the accommodations sector who abide by all the demands of governments, and those who rent out their homes but skip those same costly requirements, on the same playing field will come into law in the fall.
Web-based sites such as Airbnb compete with hotels and bed and breakfast facilities but often charge lower rates because they skip over requirements which those who are on government’s radar cannot or do not.
Governments throughout North American have been trying to correct the imbalance for years and, about a year ago, the Government of NL amended the accommodations code.
Short-term accommodation operators who have not registered with the provincial government by November will be subject to penalties. So far, over 2,600 such entities have registered with government.
The Tourism Accommodations Act received Royal Assent in the House of Assembly a few years ago.