Celebrities and Politicians Fined for Illegal Airbnb Rentals in Quebec

Celebrities and Politicians Fined for Illegal Airbnb Rentals in Quebec

Celebrities and Politicians Fined for Illegal Airbnb Rentals in Quebec

Quebec’s crackdown on illegal short-term rentals has caught some high-profile names in its net. From celebrities to business figures and even politicians, numerous individuals have been fined for listing their properties—chalets, apartments, and even trailers—on Airbnb without the required permits. This revelation comes from an extensive investigation by Journal de Montréal , which examined thousands of judicial records and uncovered widespread non-compliance with Quebec’s tourism accommodation laws.

One of the most notable figures implicated is Guy Laliberté, the billionaire founder of Cirque du Soleil. His company was fined for advertising a property in Montreal’s Plateau district on Airbnb without a permit back in 2021. Though the listing has since been modified to comply with the law, it highlights the broader trend of high-profile individuals attempting to profit from Quebec’s booming short-term rental market.

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Other well-known names facing penalties include influencer James Awad and singer Yama Laurent, a past winner of La Voix (Quebec’s version of The Voice ). Laurent was fined $3,750 in March 2023 for illegally renting out a property in Lévis. Meanwhile, former Montreal city councilor Marie-Josée Parent was also caught in the act, having advertised a chalet for short-term rental despite receiving a fine of $3,125 in late 2023.

The numbers are staggering. Since 2019, more than 3,100 individuals and businesses have been fined for violating Quebec’s short-term rental laws, with total penalties amounting to a whopping $16.6 million. The fines vary, but on average, offenders pay around $4,100 per violation. However, experts argue that these financial penalties are not a strong enough deterrent. Given that some illegal rentals can generate up to $800 per night, many hosts view these fines as just another cost of doing business.

While fines can reach up to $50,000 for individuals and $100,000 for businesses, the highest recorded penalties so far have been $27,600, affecting two companies—a Quebec-based Airbnb operator and a Montreal-area motel owner. Some experts, like Cloé St-Hilaire, a specialist in short-term rental regulations, suggest that beyond monetary fines, Quebec should consider banning repeat offenders from engaging in short-term rentals altogether.

Despite the strict laws in place, the government has yet to revoke or suspend any permits, raising questions about enforcement. For now, it seems that even high-profile names are not immune to the rules—though whether these fines will truly curb illegal rentals remains to be seen.

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