Cottage Association disapproves of short-term rentals

[Tracy401]

We bought a cottage in the fall and have been busy fixing it up with plans to rent it out from May to November while also enjoying it as a family when it is not booked. We currently have many bookings, especially for peak season (July and August).

My concern is that we've just received a copy of last year's annual general meeting minutes of our cottage association and this is how they represent their discussion of short term rentals: 

"a) Airbnb – The challenges of short-term Airbnb rentals in the community was discussed. It was agreed that the President would discuss options with the Township and solicit information from other Lake Associations as to how they are handling the issue."

We have just been invited to attend this year's AGM in a couple of weeks and the short term rentals issue is on the agenda again.

What sort of authority does our cottage association have? Can they just decide to disallow short term rentals or is there a process they might initiate to create by-laws to prevent renting? Should I speak up on behalf of short term rentals at the upcoming meeting even though we're brand new and just meeting most of our neighbours for the first time (and kinda want to stay under the radar for now)?

We have vetted all our guests carefully, ensure positive reviews from other hosts and insist on quiet hours so not to disturb our neighbours. We are responsible hosts and don't expect that our neighbours will have any problems with our guests.

Any advice would be most appreciated!

[Linda108]

Most Home Owner Associations have either passed regulations against short term rentals or are looking into doing so.  Your CCR's will be the source of information as to what process they have to go through and what type of timeline will be imposed.   Most HOA allow rentals of 30 or more days, but object to the short term.   If you do decide to speak up, be prepared to address the usual concerns of neighbors about short term rentals.  Since you do not have the experience, I wonder if you know anyone in your area that does have experience and can help you with their experience.  Good luck!

[Kelly149]

@Tracy401 Yes! If you are subject to HOA, then they may now or in the future become outlawed. Just as with anyone who is subject to a municipality may also in the future have their STR outlawed.

There's also no such thing as under the radar listings. Your listing is on the world wide web, anyone with a computer can find you. And given that you've just begun, you may not be much of an advocate for STR. You know that you WANT it to go well, but that doesn't automatically mean that it will go well.

What I would do for now is ask questions: how many STR have operated in your neighborhood? have there been problems? what are the concerns? why is it a year over year topic of conversation? and btw, what does it take to change the by-laws? simple majority, two-thirds, three-quarters?

Good luck