Nuisance short-term rental owners will be getting hit with higher fines quicker this summer in Kawartha Lakes after council voted to amend a city bylaw during their regular meeting June 21.
“I’m suggesting we put this in place to show that we’re somewhat serious about moving forward with getting these short-term rentals under control,” said Ward 3 Coun. Doug Elmslie, who brought the motion forward.
“It does say we’re serious,” added Ward 1 Coun. Emmett Yeo, who seconded the motion to change the bylaw.
“We have a lot of good people, as I said before, who rent their places responsibly, and if this is going to do anything to slow down the probably less than five per cent of bad ones, then absolutely let’s do it.”
Staff provided wording for the addition to the motion, which calls for increases to the inspection fee incurred under the city’s Consolidated Fees and Charges bylaw when municipal law enforcement officers are called to attend a short-term rental property to $112 for the first occurrence, $225 for the second, $445 for the third, $894 for the fourth attendance and double for each subsequent occurrence. The new fines are roughly double those in place before the vote.