Owners of Short-Term Rental Properties in Bluewater Opposed to New By-law

by Bob Montgomery

Thirty-five owners of short-term rental properties in Bluewater have joined forces to protest a municipal by-law on short-term rentals.

The short-term rental property owners have united as the Bluewater Short-Term Rental Owners Association and spokesperson Tyler Bartelen says their major concern is the part of the by-law that restricts the number of short-term rental properties that can be located on one street in the community. Bartelen says the system is not fair because it allows some property owners to get a short-term rental license while denying that licence to others even though they qualify, because the quota on that street has been reached. Bartelen says he questions whether that is even legally binding and he suggests if the location limits aren't removed they might consider legal action against the municipality. 

Bartelen says the by-law could also lead to a battle over short-term licenses that have now become very valuable because the numbers are limited. He suggests some property owners might buy up a license just to prevent their neighbour from getting one. He also says the number of short-term rentals in the municipality is relatively small and the market will prevent that number from getting too high because the demand isn't there. 

Bartelen says most of the people that own short-term rental properties are people who live in Bluewater or are from the area or have family in the area so they have a connection to Bluewater and care about their properties. Bartelen says short-term rentals also generate revenue for the municipality in that they bring tourists into the area who spend money in the stores and restaurants in the community.

Council will review the by-law in March of 2024.