Grant could help with Airbnb issues in Ottawa after resident expresses concern

To one Ottawa resident, a short-term rental owned by a property management group in a residential area is a hotel. John Bailey told the Ottawa City Council Tuesday about issues he’s having with a company that bought the other side of a townhouse where he lives and started an Airbnb.

He says he has nothing against workers who stay for jobs in Ottawa or the owners of Airbnb’s. But he says there has been issues especially after eight people construction workers came for work.

He asked the city council if they could create an ordinance that gives property managers a guideline as to what they have to do when people are staying. Mayor Robb Hasty says the RISE Grant the city got will help make sure Airbnb’s are registered with the city and that the city is getting the taxes they need.