BC Airbnb Crackdowns + Renos Pay Off Big in GTA

😵‍💫 Airbnb Hosts Struggle With BC’s New Rental Rules

• B.C.'s new short-term rental rules require Airbnb listings to be registered with the province by June 23 — or be removed.

• Thousands of bookings are already at risk, and many valid hosts are unable to register due to technical glitches (e.g., typos and system errors).

• Airbnb says the system wasn’t adequately tested and that the province rushed the rollout right before the peak summer season.

• The policy restricts listings to principal residences, suites, or laneway homes to free up more long-term rentals.

• Airbnb is contacting guests early and offering penalty-free cancellations to avoid last-minute chaos.

Why This Matters: British Columbia is one of the most tourism-dependent regions in the country. While the province aims to return homes to the rental market, poor rollout of registration tools is disrupting summer travel and raising concerns about enforcement capacity.

💰 Renovated GTA Homes are Selling for 50K More

• Renovated homes in the GTA sold for a median of $1.2M — $48,000 more than non-renovated ones.

• 64% of homebuyers prefer renovated homes over fixer-uppers.

• Kitchens and bathrooms are among the most desired renovated features, with 59% of buyers ranking them in their top five.

• In Toronto proper, the price bump was even larger: $89,000, or roughly 7% above the price of non-renovated homes.

• Since 2023, 66% of all GTA listings have mentioned some form of renovation.

• Wahi’s analysis looked at nearly 100,000 single-family home sales across the GTA between 2023 and Q1 2025.

Why This Matters: In a slower market where buyers are cautious, turnkey homes with renovations continue to command a premium, especially in older neighborhoods like Toronto. While not all renovations guarantee a return, they can give sellers a crucial edge.

📉 80% of GTA Condos Selling Below Asking