The full OLRA survey results can be downloaded from the link below.
OLRA Survey – Nov 2017 on STCR
Seguin is inviting in put on this topic of the commercialization of residential cottage properties as rentals by Feb. 19th. See our the Jan 31st post for details on how you can give your input to Seguin.
OLRA Survey Summary
Survey Response Rate: 56% – This high response rate (120 /216) of our the OLRA members who received the survey via email is indicative of the high level of interest our members have in this issue.
96% of respondents said they did not rent out their property (Q2)
96% said it would decrease their enjoyment of their property if a neighbouring property was turned into a commercial short-term rental property (like a mini motel). (Q7). 71% said it would decrease their enjoyment of their property a lot
72% said it would decrease their intentions to invest in their property if a neighbouring property was turned into a commercial short-term rental property (like a mini motel). (Q8).
Below is the percentage of respondents who cited the following impacts to life at the lake if the commercialization of cottages into short-term rentals was to increase on Otter lake and Little Otter Lake. (Q11)
92% – increased noise
91% – increased boat traffic
80% – increased stress on the ecology
78% – degradation of lake water quality
73% – increased garbage disposal issues
69% – increased trespass issues
68% – increased fire ban infractions
61% – decrease in Lake Trout population
84% of respondents said Seguin should enact a by-law to regulate or prohibit the commercialization of residential lakefront properties into short-term rentals. (Q12)
48 comments were also submitted as to “why or why not” (Q12) A sample of the comments submitted are listed below.
please! reduce the rentals. they don’t care at all about the lake and are very disruptive
We love the lake because we take good care of it and the environment surrounding it. I would like to enjoy many more years of this area and hope that my grandchildren and theirs will be able to as well.
Regulations are required to ensure ecological levels and overall enjoyment to those who have invested to be on the lake.
People should be able to rent their place to help offset costs of owning a cottage
I recently completed a major addition at a cost of over $200,000.00. I would not have considered the addition if any of my neighbors turned their cottage into rental cottage.
We are planning to retire at the cottage and neighbouring commercial, short term rental business would have a significant impact.
Otter Lake is at it’s capacity and we have enough people on the lake who have no clue on how to boat.
My experience with renters elsewhere has not been positive. They are generally rowdy fun loving guests who don’t respect others as they probably won’t be back
OLRA Conclusions:
84% of respondents said Seguin should enact a by-law to regulate or prohibit the commercialization of residential lakefront properties into short-term rentals.
Regulating – It is expected that a rental licensing program for Seguin would not be “self funding”. Some licensing fees would be collected, however they are expected to be insufficient to cover the additional costs to the Seguin tax payers of administering and enforcing such a program.
According to the OLRA survey 96% of respondents said they do not rent their cottage property.
OLRA will therefore NOT be supporting establishing such a rental licensing program which would potentially increase the tax burden for all to regulate the activity of only a few.
Prohibiting: OLRA will be supporting the enforcement of the current Seguin by-laws and permitted land uses which currently do not allow for the commercialization of residential cottage properties as rentals. Our membership is clearly very concerned about losing the enjoyment of their properties and the degradation of the lake ecology through the intensification of property use that such renting activity can bring.