Toronto is mulling new Airbnb rules. Should Ottawa follow?

As Toronto considersnew regulations to control Airbnbrentals in that city, one expertis suggestingOttawa should follow its lead.

Toronto Mayor John Toryhas proposed restricting listings on the popular short-term rental site to primary dwellings. Airbnb's current model, which allows ownersto list any property for rent, creates unstable neighbourhoods with transient populations, he said Monday.

• Ottawa Airbnb rentals set to rise sharply in 2017, company says

Tory said Airbnbalsostifles an already overcrowded housing market.

"It's taking housing off the market that would otherwise be available for long-term rental," he said.

Rentals through the site can be as short as one night.

Stays more than doubled

RodrigueEscayola, an Ottawa lawyer who has worked onAirbnbcases, said the real problem with Airbnb is when people startbuying properties solely to rent them out at a high rate.

"You're basically seeing a neighbour operate a hotel out of their home or condo," Escayola said.

A 2016 report from the City of Ottawa's economic development branch foundthe number of active Airbnb listings had more than doubled in a year from 566 in January 2015 to 1,314 by December.

As the number ofAirbnblistings in Ottawa multiplies, the potential revenue entices more owners.

City will turn into 'party town'

Escayola said Ottawa should weighadopting rules similar to those being considered in Toronto,especially with Canada Day rapidly approaching.

"I think it would put some clarity in people's minds," he said. "This city is going to turn into a party town, it's going tobe the good, badand ugly."

He's warninganyone who might be thinking of renting out their place this summer to first check the rules governing theirproperty. Some condos and apartments have strict policies limiting how much ownerscan charge to sublet theirunits.

According to a report prepared for Airbnb, there were 82,000 "guest arrivals,"or people staying in rentals booked through the site, in Ottawa last year, generating an estimated $24 million for the local economy.