STR LICENCE REVOKED FOR GOING OVER 180 days last year

[Joseph1903]

Help! We accidentally went over our 180 day limit last year and now our short term licence is getting revoked for one year. I’ve made many phone calls and send many emails  to the STR department, but they insist on taking away our licence. I’ve even contacted my city councillor, but I’m getting nowhere. I understand we made a mistake, and there should be a consequence, but a whole year is ridiculous. This is going to cost us tens of thousands of dollars! 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Joseph1903 Have you actually read the law/regulation you broke to see if it has penalties for non-compliance? Is your 1 year ban consistent with these?

[Joseph1903]

Yes, this apparently the penalty for going over the limit. It’s a fairly new rule and last year was our first full year renting. Apparently almost half the airbnbs in Toronto went over the limit last year. Airbnb finally added a day counter this year which will make it easier to keep track, but it wasn’t available last year 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Joseph1903 If that is the penalty then that is the penalty I guess. If it is that draconian I would do my own counting and not rely on Airbnb.

[Jenny]

Hi @Joseph1903 

Are you a member of any Local Host Clubs?  If not, I'd recommend heading here to find one.  

We're always happy to help where we can, here on the CC, but in this case you might benefit from chatting to someone in your local area as they'll have more understanding of how things work.

Jenny

[Joseph1903]

Sorry, didn’t realize I posted to the wrong form

[Joseph1903]

Sorry I didn’t realize I posted to the wrong form. Thanks! 

[Jenny]

No need to apologise @Joseph1903 - there's a wealth of knowledge here on the Community Center, but this sounds time sensitive, so it's good to know where you're most likely to get more information quickly, especially when it's location-specific. 😊

[Helen3]

Hi @Joseph1903 

I'm not sure what sort of help you think we can provide  as  an  international community of hosts and guests I'm afraid ?

Were the penalties of not exceeding the 180 day limit not made clear to you when you set up your STR business ? 

I agree asking your local host group is your best route 

it's a difficult one as you can't really plead ignorance of the legislation/penalties 

[Deborah1670]

Hello, @Joseph1903 ! Don't know if you will still be on this forum. I have only just found your post. I, too, am based in Toronto and lost my STR licence in early 2024. I had been told I could rent for unlimited nghts and then they changed their minds, without letting me know. The one-year penalty is draconian. But it has gone missing from the latest by-law update. I suspect that's because it has been pointed out how unfair it was. I am no longer running a furnished rental. It has made my life difficult as the income was a big chunk of my retirement plan and I'd been renting sicen 2016. Hope all is well with you! Deborah

[Alex]

Hi @Deborah1670, 

I'm sorry to read you are facing the same situations as Joseph. Since this post is from a few years ago and he might not be around,  what do you think about creating a new post to discuss this again?

Doing this, the chances of getting active members would increase, and they could join your topic and give you great advice. What do you think? 🙂

Best wishes, 

Alex