The city of Toronto is set to roll out new legislation
to regulate how short-term rentals like Airbnb can operate.
At September's Word on the Street festival , the Toronto Star
held a panel discussion about Toronto real estate.
Panelists, Edward Keenan, Tess Kalinowski,
and David Rider explained the need for
new short-term rental regulation.
A significant portion of Toronto’s available rental housing
comes from private home owners listing their units,
making short-term rentals both lucrative and problematic.
While the new legislation is likely to allow short-term
rentals to continue in Toronto, homeowners will have to
prove that the apartment or house is their primary residence.
The city wants to reduce the number of units that may be sitting
empty as a short-term rental property instead of being listed
as a long-term rental residence.
That being said, condo buildings will still be controlled
by their condo boards. That means some buildings might
rule against allowing short-term rentals outright,
while other buildings might allow it. It’s also important
to remember condo rules regarding short-term rentals might
change in the long-term.
To help clear up the question of who allows short-term
rentals and who doesn’t, we have compiled a list of
known Toronto condos that ALLOW short-term rentals
like Airbnb. This is not a complete list.
These are the buildings we know of currently.
300 Front Street West (300 Front St W & 20 John St)
300 Front Street West condo building
300 Front Street West at the corner of Front and John allows
short-term rentals such as Airbnb. Short-term guests have
restricted access to building amenities.
They can use the gym and the pool,
but they cannot book any of the extra rooms,
such as the party room. Guests must sign in
at the front desk and notify the building that
they are a short-term guest.
Ice I & II (12-14 York Street)
Ice & Ice II condo buildings
Ice I & II both allow short term rentals, however,
there are new rules in place regarding insurance.
According to the condo board’s rules,
any owner who allows “transient residential accommodation”
(short term stays of less than 3 consecutive months),
must obtain a commercial insurance policy of $5,000,000.00.
Short-term guests must also check in with a driver’s
license or passport. Refer to actual rules
for complete details, but they do allow short term rentals.
Qwest (168 Simcoe)
Qwest condo building
Qwest Condos allows short term rentals, but the exact rules
were a bit unclear. Apparently, the rules depend
on the situation, whatever that means.
Guests must sign in at the front desk,
and they are restricted from using some or all
of the building amenities.
Best to double check the details on this one,
but they are allowed.
Maple Leaf Square (55-56 Bremner)
Maple Leaf Square condo building
Maple Leaf Square is ready to go for short-term rentals,
but it’s a bit restrictive for guests.
They must sign in at the front desk,
and they have access only to the suite they are renting.
No use of amenities. Also, the front desk will not hold your
keys. The owner and the short-term renter must
arrange key pick-up and drop-off on their own.
Charlie (8 Charlotte Street)
Charlie condo building
Charlie currently allows short-term rentals,
but we’ve been informed that the policy will be changing
in the next 6 months. For now, guests can come
and go without signing in at the front desk.
The reception desk, however, will not hold your keys,
and guests are restricted from using the building’s amenities.
Hosts and guests will have to arrange to exchange the keys
separately.
Local at Fort York (50 Bruyeres Mews)
Local at Fort York condos allows short term rentals
The Local at Fort York has no restrictions against
short-term rentals like Airbnb. Short-term guests are
treated like regular tenants with full access to building
amenities. The condo board has issued noise complaints
to certain hosts in the past, but there has been no move
to ban short-term rentals outright. It’s a matter of respect.
Owners are allowed to rent out their units on a daily basis,
but it’s much appreciated that their guests are respectful
of the building. It’s encouraged to inform the concierge
of any short-term rental situations so that the concierge
can help if there is a problem with the job, etc.
Key pick-up and drop-off must be arranged separately
between the host and guest.
Reve Condos (560 Front Street W)
Short-term rentals at Reve Condos in Downtown Toronto
Reve Condos near Bathurst and Front in downtown Toronto
is a short-term rental friendly building. The condo board
has decided on unit leasing rules that recognize
the life-style choices of home-sharing and Airbnb
style services. To make those options run smoothly,
the Property Management has created a short-term rental
registration form to be submitted to the management office,
including suite information, owner information,
length of stay, and contact details for the guest.
After that, guests are treated (and are expected to respect
the building) the same as regular tenants.
Water club I (8 York Street)
Water club I short term rental
For short-term rentals in the Waterfront neighborhood,
Waterclub is a building worth checking out.
The building amenities include a pool, gym, sauna,
and a parking garage. You’ll want to double-check
with your host on the details of using the amenities;
otherwise, you’re good to go!
Parade I & II – CityPlace (15 & 21 Iceboat Terrace)
Parade CityPlace short term rental
The parade I & II in CityPlace downtown are excellent
choices for a short-term stay in Toronto.
Well connected near Spadina and Front,
these Toronto condos even have a wifi-enabled space called
the Party Zone
Aquarius at Waterpark City (219 Fort York Boulevard)
Aquarius at Waterpark City short term rentals
With 490 units in this building, chances are you’ll
be able to find a variety of short-term accommodations
at Aquarius at Waterpark City in the Fort York neighborhood.
A smart choice for a summer stay in Toronto,
you’re within walking distance to the tree-filled Coronation
Park across Lake Shore Boulevard, as well as Ontario Place
with the Budweiser Stage and the Cinesphere.
The Verve (120 Homewood Avenue)
The Verve short term rentals
The Verve is a great choice for a short-term stay
in Toronto to seize the most out of downtown Toronto.
Seated near Wellesley and Jarvis in the St. James Town
neighborhood, this building has a 95% Walk Score and a 93%
Transit Score.
Harbour View Estates II (35 Mariner Terrace)
Harbour View Estates II short term rentals
Located on the east side of Spadina Avenue in CityPlace,
Harbour View Estates II is a top choice
for a short-term rental in Toronto if you’re hoping
to catch a baseball game or concert at the Rogers Centre
or hoping to hit up top tourist attractions
like the CN Tower or Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada.
Quartz | Spectra (75-85 Queens Wharf Road)
Quartz Spectra CityPlace short term rentals
Another CityPlace locale, Quartz |
Spectra is between Bathurst and Spadina,
nearby many Toronto attractions,
but far enough from the noise that you’re likely
to get a quiet sleep at the end of the night.
Plus, a short-term stay may entitle you to access the Prisma
Club, a three-story resort-inspired amenities center
with a swimming pool and film-screen rooms.
Studio on Richmond (199 Richmond Street West)
Studio on Richmond short term rentals
Getting away from the big tourist attractions CityPlace
and the Core, but staying within the thrills of downtown,
Studio on Richmond is found in the Entertainment District
of Queen West. For a fun short-term stay in Toronto filled
with good eats, late-night bar-hopping,
and interesting entertainment venues, this is a solid option.
It's very important to note that many condo boards
are deciding to limit or remove short-term rentals
from their buildings. This list will update
as we learn of more buildings that allow short-term rentals,
or if we learn that the above buildings have changed their
condo board rules to ban Airbnb.
Help us complete this list
If you know a building that allows short term rentals,
or if you see an error on this list,
please help us keep this info accurate.
Contact us at [email protected] with the subject line
Short-term rental building. Thanks!