This apartment building in Montreal's Rosemont neighborhood is Airbnbs

A Montreal apartment building is being used entirely to host Airbnbs, Radio-Canada reported.

The building, which consists of four three-bedroom buildings on rue Alma in Rosemont-La-Petit-Patri, is in an area where short-term rentals like Airbnb should be banned.

The online listing boasts that each apartment can accommodate up to 16 people: four in one bedroom and four in the living room.

“There are parties that never stop, there are songs that last until 11 a.m. the next morning,” said one neighbor, who asked not to be named. “I saw the police come at least twice, but there were others that I didn't see myself. It's back and forth.”

By repeatedly renting out apartments, the building owner violates both provincial and municipal regulations. However, elected officials in the county say they have little power to enforce the rules.

What the rules say

“What you're saying is that your nightmare is ours,” said Rosemont-La Petite-Patri Mayor Francois Limoges.

As of May 2020, anyone wishing to rent their primary or secondary residence must obtain a registration number with the Quebec Tourist Board. Corporation de l'industrie turistice du Quebec. Failure to do so can result in fines ranging from $2,500 to $25,000.

In addition, the district of Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie has banned short-term rentals everywhere, except for the section of St. Hubert street known as Plaza St. Hubert.

But to enforce it, someone has to take the offender to the Supreme Court. If they're found in violation, the expected fine is only $300 — less than a night's stay in the building on Alma Street.

Limoges said there is very little support from the province, which dictates what it can and cannot do to enforce the law.

“Direct evidence is needed to go to court,” Limoges said. “You can't have circumstantial evidence, meaning an inspector can't go to Airbnb and take a screenshot of a page and then sue with it. That's not considered sufficient.”

Apartment building

The owner of the building on Alma Street admitted to Radio-Canada that he had not received a registration number for his units.

He said the short-term rentals are temporary while he tries to sort out the permits needed to convert the building's rental units into condos. His goal is to convert them by the end of the year.

Airbnb said in a statement that it takes “all necessary measures” to ensure that hosts comply with Quebec rules and regulations. He did not explain why the platform allows listings that do not comply with the law.

“You really have to work with online platforms to force them to comply with the rules,” said Dominique Olivier, president of Montreal's executive committee and a member of the Vieux-Rosemont city council.

To avoid undermining the investigation, Revenue Quebec did not disclose how many inspectors it has or how it inspects short-term rental units.

However, infringement claims made under the rule have increased more than tenfold in the past two years, from 135 in 2019-2020 to 1,747 in 2021-2022 (as of February).