A Canadian Short-Term Vacation Rental Agreement is a contract between a property owner (the Host) and a guest for the temporary rental of a vacation property such as a cottage, chalet, condominium, apartment, or house for a defined short-term period, typically ranging from one night to several weeks. This type of agreement is distinct from a residential tenancy agreement and is specifically designed for transient or seasonal accommodation rather than permanent housing.

Short-term vacation rentals in Canada are generally exempt from provincial residential tenancy legislation. In Ontario, the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (S.O. 2006, c. 17) explicitly excludes accommodation that is seasonal or temporary in nature (s. 5). In British Columbia, the Residential Tenancy Act (R.S.B.C. 2002, c. 78) does not apply to accommodation provided for a temporary or seasonal basis (s. 4). This means that the extensive tenant protections found in residential tenancy legislation, including rent control, mandatory notice periods, and restrictions on eviction, do not apply to short-term vacation rentals. Instead, the rental relationship is governed by the terms of the agreement itself and by general contract law.

However, short-term vacation rentals are increasingly subject to municipal regulation across Canada. Many municipalities now require hosts to obtain a short-term rental licence or permit. Toronto's Short-Term Rental Bylaw (Chapter 547) requires registration and limits short-term rentals in principal residences. Vancouver's Short-Term Rental Business Licence requirement under Bylaw 6066 restricts short-term rentals to the host's principal residence. Resort municipalities such as Whistler, Kelowna, Canmore, and Mont-Tremblant have specific zoning and licensing requirements that may permit or restrict vacation rentals depending on the property's zoning designation.

Short-term vacation rentals may also trigger tax obligations. If the rental period is less than one month, the host may be required to charge and remit GST/HST if their total taxable supplies exceed $30,000 annually. In British Columbia, the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) of 2-3% applies to short-term accommodation. Quebec imposes its provincial sales tax (QST) at 9.975% in addition to GST. Some municipalities levy additional transient accommodation taxes.

A Canadian Short-Term Vacation Rental Agreement is needed whenever a property owner rents out a cottage, chalet, cabin, condominium, house, or other dwelling for a short-term stay. This includes traditional cottage rentals in Ontario's Muskoka, Haliburton, or Kawartha Lakes regions; ski chalets in Whistler, Mont-Tremblant, or Banff; beachfront properties in Prince Edward Island or Nova Scotia; and urban apartment or condo rentals in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, or Calgary.

This document is essential when renting directly to guests rather than through a third-party booking platform. While platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO provide their own terms of service, a direct rental agreement gives the host greater control over the specific terms, cancellation policies, house rules, and liability provisions. Even when using a booking platform, a supplementary rental agreement can address property-specific rules that the platform's standard terms do not cover.

Property owners who rent cottages or chalets during peak seasons (summer at the lake, winter ski season) need a written agreement for each booking to clearly document the rental period, total fee, deposit, cancellation policy, and house rules. Without a written agreement, disputes over damage, refunds, or early departure become difficult to resolve.

Investment property owners who operate vacation rentals as a business need this agreement to establish consistent terms across multiple bookings, maintain proper financial records for tax purposes, and demonstrate compliance with municipal licensing requirements. Insurance companies may also require evidence of a written rental agreement as a condition of coverage for short-term rental properties.

Parties and Property -- The agreement must identify the Host and Guest by full legal name and provide complete contact information including email and phone number. The vacation property must be described with its full address, type (cottage, chalet, condo, etc.), and a brief description of the accommodation including the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and key amenities.

Rental Period and Check-In/Check-Out -- The agreement must clearly specify the exact check-in date and time and the check-out date and time. Unlike residential leases, vacation rentals operate on precise schedules to allow for turnover cleaning between guests. Late check-out provisions and early arrival policies should be addressed.

Occupancy Limits -- The maximum number of guests must be clearly stated. Many municipal short-term rental bylaws impose occupancy limits based on the property's capacity and zoning. Exceeding the stated occupancy limit should be identified as a breach of the agreement with specific consequences.

Rental Fee and Taxes -- The total rental fee, whether charged as a flat rate, nightly rate, or weekly rate, must be clearly stated in Canadian dollars. The agreement should address applicable taxes including GST/HST and any provincial or municipal accommodation taxes. Cleaning fees, if charged separately, should be identified as a distinct line item.

Security Deposit -- The deposit amount, payment deadline, conditions for deductions (damage, excessive cleaning, missing items), and the refund timeline must be clearly stated. Since residential tenancy deposit limits do not apply to vacation rentals, the deposit amount is freely negotiated between the parties.

Cancellation Policy -- The agreement must specify the cancellation terms, including the refund percentage based on how far in advance the cancellation is made. Common structures include full refund for cancellations 30+ days out, partial refund for 14+ days, and no refund for last-minute cancellations.

House Rules -- Pet policies, smoking policies, quiet hours (typically mandated by municipal noise bylaws), parking rules, garbage disposal requirements, and any property-specific restrictions must be clearly documented. The consequences of violating house rules, including potential immediate termination and forfeiture of the deposit, should be stated.

Governing Law -- The agreement must specify the Canadian province whose laws govern the contract, which is typically the province where the vacation property is located.