Property owners in Muskoka Lakes say short-term rentals have taken the peace and quiet out of cottage country. The township has drafted a new bylaw to address the issue. The Township of Muskoka Lakes, which covers a popular part of Ontario's cottage country, is moving one step closer to clamping down on short-term rentals like Airbnbs and VRBOs in the area.
He said they face issues like DJs blasting music, bottles and cans rolling in the water and pets running wild. Muskoka Mayor Peter Kelley says that would help limit unruly behaviour, which has become more of a problem as short-term rentals have become big business. He says most renters are responsible, but some are "literally running unsupervised commercial resort hotels."
He would rather see people forced to apply for a licence after they accrue demerit points than have everyone forced to pay upfront to rent their cottage.