If you own a short-term rental property in Muskoka Lakes, whether it’s an Airbnb, cottage rental, or vacation home, recent updates from the Township of Muskoka Lakes could impact your business.
A new Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) Licensing By-law was passed in August 2024, but its implementation is now facing delays. Here's what you need to know and how it affects Airbnb management, cottage management, and rental property owners in Muskoka.
On March 13, 2025, the Muskoka Lakes Township Planning Committee will discuss delaying the implementation of STRA licensing until 2026. This delay is due to setbacks with Granicus Host Compliance (GHC), the third-party software responsible for managing STRA applications. The township has confirmed that the application portal is still 4-6 months away from being operational.
More Time to Prepare
If you own an Airbnb or short-term rental property in Muskoka Lakes, this delay gives you extra time to get compliant before the licensing system goes live.
Use this period to review your rental operations, ensure compliance with future regulations, and explore property management options.
Ongoing Monitoring & Compliance
While licensing is delayed, Muskoka Lakes is still enforcing short-term rental regulations.
The township is using Granicus Host Compliance to monitor Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms.
Ensure your rental is operating legally and in line with municipal bylaws to avoid fines or penalties.
How Airbnb Management & Cottage Rental Services Can Help
If you're managing your own rental, now is a great time to consider professional Airbnb management or cottage rental services.
A rental management company can help you navigate Muskoka’s evolving regulations, optimize your pricing, and handle guest communication.
The STRA Licensing program is delayed until at least 2026 due to software issues.
The township is still monitoring short-term rentals using Granicus Host Compliance.
Now is the time to prepare—review your rental strategy, explore Airbnb management services, and ensure compliance.
As Muskoka’s short-term rental market evolves, having a professional Airbnb management team can make all the difference. Whether you need full-service cottage management or help with rental optimization, we’re here to assist.
📩 Contact us today to stay ahead of the STRA licensing changes and maximize your rental income.
P.S. Want to know how much your cottage could earn on Airbnb?
For a limited time, Homeseeker Vacation Homes is offering a FREE Airbnb Revenue Report for cottage owners. Discover your property’s true earning potential with insights on pricing optimization, occupancy trends, and revenue projections tailored to the Muskoka market.
Take the first step toward maximizing your rental income while enjoying peace of mind. Click here to request your free report and start turning your Muskoka investment into a revenue-generating retreat today!
We provide homeowners with tools, strategies, and vendor connections to optimize their short-term rental’s performance and minimize hassle, including:
✅ Listing Optimization – We assist property owners in optimizing their Airbnb, Vrbo, and Expedia listings by providing expert recommendations and marketing strategies.
✅ Dynamic Pricing – We maximize your revenue by adjusting prices based on demand, local events, and seasonality.
✅ Guest Communication – We provide property owners with best practices for guest communication, including templated responses and automation tools to enhance their booking experience.
✅ Cleaning & Maintenance – We connect property owners with trusted cleaning and maintenance professionals to help maintain a high-quality rental experience.
✅ Check-In & Check-Out Management – We help property owners implement secure and efficient check-in solutions, including keyless entry recommendations, to streamline guest access.
✅ Review Management – We provide review response strategies and guidance to help property owners maintain a strong online reputation.
✅ Revenue Reporting – Monthly performance reports and insights to help you scale your earnings.
Commission-Based – We offer a revenue-based pricing for our homeowner support and marketing services.
We have a proven track record of helping property owners maximize their short-term rental success. We support you with:
✅ Guest screening recommendations – We provide property owners with best practices and third-party tools to help them screen guests effectively.
✅ Professional cleaners & maintenance referrals – We connect property owners with trusted service providers to help maintain their property in top condition.
✅ Performance insights – We provide owners with occupancy trends, revenue reports, and guest feedback analysis to optimize their listing.
Your property’s success is our success. The better it performs, the more value we create together! 🚀
We provide multiple safeguards to help property owners protect their investment:
✔️ Guest screening recommendations – We provide property owners with best practices and third-party tools to help them screen guests effectively.
✔️ Security deposits & insurance guidance – We assist property owners in setting up Airbnb’s Host Guarantee, Vrbo’s Property Protection, and other coverage options.
✔️ Smart locks & monitoring – We recommend and guide property owners in implementing keyless entry and noise monitoring solutions for added security.
✔️ House rules communication – We help property owners establish clear house rules and provide strategies for reinforcing them with guests.
Additionally, we encourage all property owners to carry short-term rental insurance for added protection.
Absolutely! You have full control over your calendar. If you want to use your property for personal stays, just block off the dates in your booking platform.
Yes! We offer optional setup services to help property owners enhance their rental’s appeal:
🛋️ Furniture & Décor Selection – We help create a stylish and inviting space that stands out in listing photos.
📸 Professional Photography – High-quality images to showcase your property and improve listing visibility.
📍 Amenity Recommendations – We suggest high-value amenities like hot tubs, smart TVs, coffee makers, and workspaces to help attract more guests and improve guest satisfaction.
💼 Step 1: Onboarding (1-2 days) – We gather property details, provide recommendations, and customize our approach.
📝 Step 2: Listing Creation (3-5 days) – We optimize your Airbnb/Vrbo listing with professional photos, descriptions, and strategic pricing recommendations.
🚀 Step 3: Go Live! (5-7 days) – Your listing is fully optimized and ready for property owners to manage reservations and maximize their earnings.
Most property owners see increased listing visibility and guest inquiries within the first two weeks.
We provide multiple layers of guidance to help property owners protect their investment:
1️⃣ Airbnb/Vrbo Host Protection – Airbnb offers a $3M host guarantee for damages, and Vrbo provides property protection options.
2️⃣ Security Deposits – We help property owners set appropriate deposit policies for added protection.
3️⃣ Short-Term Rental Insurance (Recommended) – We encourage property owners to obtain an STR insurance policy for full coverage.
4️⃣ Guest Screening Best Practices – We provide property owners with tools and strategies to help them screen guests effectively and minimize risks.
If damages occur, we guide property owners on how to handle claims and navigate Airbnb/Vrbo’s protection programs.
While we cannot guarantee a specific number of bookings (as market demand fluctuates), we provide property owners with strategies to enhance listing performance:
✅ Dynamic pricing guidance – We provide recommendations to help you adjust rates based on market trends, local events, and seasonality.
✅ Optimized listings – We help improve listing appeal with high-quality photos, engaging descriptions, and strategic keyword placement.
✅ Multi-platform visibility – We guide property owners on listing their rentals across platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Expedia to expand their reach.
Our goal is to help property owners increase their property’s visibility and appeal to attract more potential guests.
Ready to optimize your short-term rental? Here’s how to begin:
1️⃣ Schedule a Free Consultation – We discuss your goals and property details.
2️⃣ Property Onboarding – We assist with listing optimization, pricing recommendations, and marketing strategies.
3️⃣ Go Live & Take Control – Your listing is fully set up, and you manage reservations while we support you with expert insights.
📞 Call/Text: 705-996-6799
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.homeseekervacation.com
We empower property owners with the tools and strategies to maximize their rental’s potential—stress-free! 🚀
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