Provincial associations working together to address short-term rental concerns 

November 18, 2019

St. John’s, NL – Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) and Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador are joining forces to address short-term rental concerns in the province. On Saturday, November 16, MNL delegates voted at their AGM in favour of a resolution that will see the organizations work together to develop short-term rental guidelines.

Currently, the short-term rental industry operates with limited regulation and standards in the province. Without these, properties, communities and the tourism sector are vulnerable.

“Hospitality NL welcomes short-term rentals to the tourism industry, but only if they are regulated to the same standards and codes as the rest of the accommodations sector” says Larry Laite, Hospitality NL chair. “The accommodations sector plays an integral role in municipalities as well as tourism; it is a gateway to display the best of what our people and the province has to offer. We are confident that the partnership with MNL will foster a positive impact on these regulation issues going forward.”

Short-term rentals are an ongoing issue for MNL and Hospitality NL members. The two organizations have been working closely on how best to proceed. The resolution evolved from a meeting of MNL’s urban municipalities in Labrador in August. The Town of Gander submitted the resolution to the AGM.

“It is important for provincial organizations to work together on issues that impact our shared membership,” said Sheila Fitzgerald, MNL president. “We look forward to working with Hospitality NL on this framework and to providing more guidance to our municipalities on short-term rentals.”

The two entities believe that acknowledging the difference between true home sharing and a commercial operation is imperative. Implementing changes in how the short-term accommodations sector is regulated will protect communities, neighbourhood character, housing availability, and provide a fair economic playing field to all accommodators.

MNL and Hospitality NL look forward to working with municipalities, government and industry on a solution.

Over 800 delegates, sponsors and partners gathered last week in St. John’s for MNL’s 69th Annual Conference and Tradeshow.

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For more information
Agenda
Resolutions

About MNL

Municipalities Newfoundland & Labrador (MNL) was formed in 1951 as an umbrella organization mandated to represent and support local government in Newfoundland and Labrador. MNL represents the 275 incorporated municipalities in the province that service 89 per cent of the population and their more than 2,000 leaders.

Copyright © 2019 MNL, All rights reserved.
Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador

Deatra Walsh – Director of Advocacy and Communications
Cell: 709-986-2771 l email: dwalsh@municipalnl.ca

Gail Woodfine – Communications and Public Relations Coordinator
Cell: 709-725-1440 l email: gwoodfine@municipalnl.ca

MNL mailing address is
79 Mews Place, St. John’s, NL  A1B 4N2

About HNL

Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, the provincial tourism industry association for 36 years, is dedicated to advancing growth in tourism through advocacy efforts, skills and knowledge development and membership and networking opportunities.

Shanelle Clowe – Manager, Advocacy and Communications
Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
P: 709-722-2000 ext: 231 or 1-800-563-0700
E: sclowe@hnl.ca