CEO Video With Trevor Koot

Featuring BCREA CEO Trevor Koot, this monthly video series offers a unique look into both BCREA and the real estate and housing sectors at large.

A Place to Share Ideas

Once a month, BCREA CEO Trevor Koot steps in front of the camera to discuss housing and real estate topics relevant to both REALTORS® and the public. These videos are available on our YouTube channel playlist, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Check out the series below.

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How to Fix BC’s Short-Term Rental Legislation

August 19, 2025

BC’s short-term rental legislation was introduced to boost long-term housing supply, but it’s caused a series of issues that need to be addressed. In this video, BCREA CEO Trevor Koot outlines four key recommendations to help improve the policy.

Transcript

When the BC Government introduced the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act in 2023, the goal was clear: create additional long-term housing by limiting short-term rentals, or STRs.

At the BC Real Estate Association, we understand the motivation and have routinely advocated for increasing supply. That said, the STR legislation has caused a series of issues and unintended consequences that need to be addressed.

We believe the province can strike a better balance between housing and economic needs. To help get there, we’ve made four key recommendations:

Number one: Return zoning autonomy to local governments.

Currently, local governments can opt out of the principal residence rule in the STR legislation, but only if they can demonstrate a vacancy rate of three per cent or more over two consecutive years. That formula is too restrictive for many communities.

We recommend allowing local governments to request exemptions for areas or buildings zoned specifically for STRs, so they can better serve both housing and tourism needs.

Number two: Expand the strata hotel and fractional ownership exemption.

Strata hotels and fractional interest properties were built for short-term occupancy, not long-term rentals. Exemptions for these unique properties exist, but they don’t catch everything.

A broader exemption for strata hotels and fractional interest properties would protect local economies and reduce regulatory confusion for REALTORS® and property owners.

Number three: Add exemptions for areas near major healthcare centres.

In the Interior and Northern BC, STRs play a vital role in housing travelling doctors and nurses as well as patients receiving care. Hotels and long-term rentals aren’t always a good fit.

We’re recommending targeted exemptions near hospitals and healthcare centres to help communities support essential healthcare access.

Number four: Establish broad exemptions for the television and film sector.

BC’s television and film sector relies on STRs to house transient cast and crew. Right now, STR legislation is straining hotel availability and driving up costs.

A province-wide exemption for this sector would help keep these projects coming in, even amidst the uncertainty of Canada-US relations.

The Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act was introduced to help solve BC’s housing supply shortage. That goal matters.

But some smart, targeted updates can make this legislation work better – for housing, for the economy, and for communities across BC.

Past Videos

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May 19, 2026 – How Does BCREA Work With the Regulator?

April 21, 2026 – Why BC Housing Policy Could Lead to Another Price Surge

March 24, 2026 – What Hasn’t Changed in BCREA’s 50 Years

February 17, 2026 – Why BC Strata Councils Need Mandatory Training

January 20, 2026 – How AI is Changing the Real Estate Sector

December 16, 2025 – What to Expect for the BC Real Estate Sector in 2026

November 18, 2025 – BCREA’s New Vision: Connecting Communities, Enriching Lives

October 21, 2025 – Why BC Needs a Permanent Housing Policy Roundtable

September 24, 2025 – Redefining the REALTOR® Value Proposition

August 19, 2025 – How to Fix BC’s Short-Term Rental Legislation

July 22, 2025 – Preparing BC Real Estate for a Changing Climate

June 17, 2025 – How Offsite Construction Can Speed Up BC Housing Completions

May 20, 2025 – What’s Stopping BC From Building More Homes?

April 22, 2025 – Changing the Conversation About “Fixing” Housing Affordability

March 18, 2025 – How BCREA Advocates for a Better Housing Ecosystem

February 18, 2025 – Drug Home Remediation: Why BC Needs New Standards

January 21, 2025 – What You Need to Know About the BC Home Flipping Tax

December 17, 2024 – What to Expect for the BC Real Estate Sector in 2025

November 19, 2024 – How to Be the Voice of 26,000+ REALTORS®

October 22, 2024 – Radon Awareness: What Every BC Homeowner Needs to Know

September 17, 2024 – Three Key Housing Issues for the 2024 BC Election

August 20, 2024 – Why Canadian Housing Needs Speculators

July 23, 2024 – Guiding Success: The Vital Role of Managing Brokers

June 25, 2024 – The Need for Innovation in Canadian Real Estate

May 22, 2024 – BCREA CEO Trevor Koot on Collaboration in Canadian Housing

April 18, 2024 – BCREA CEO Trevor Koot on Accessibility and Affordability

March 22, 2024 – BCREA CEO Trevor Koot Reflects on State of Housing in BC

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CEO Video With Trevor Koot

A Place to Share Ideas

Past Videos

CEO Video With Trevor Koot

A Place to Share Ideas

Past Videos

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