Ideally you need to be in a location with diverse activities year-round, a welcoming climate and in a region that can be easily accessed. Vancouver Island has this winning combination! It is a most popular tourist destination attracting visitors from all over the world with a variety of accommodation needs. Bed & Breakfasts have become a wonderful alternative for those who like a more personal environment and a hands on view of the area.
Things to Know
People who are interested in buying B & B's need good information prior to embarking on this new venture. Some of these areas are:- regulations, taxes, associations, use of credit cards, taking reservations and deposits, advertising and more. Some less tangible aspects, but equally important -- how to be good B & B hosts, what are reasonable expectations from your guests, and the like.
Learn as much as you can about the operation of B & B's. Decide on the style of B & B that would be suitable to your lifestyle -- size - location - special interests -- etc.
You also have the option to start one or purchase an existing one. The advantage of purchasing an existing one is that the B & B is already established, has a reputation, a customer base and a revenue stream.
Regulations
Bed & Breakfasts come under municipal jurisdiction and these regulations vary from one municipality to the next. There are 14 municipalities in the Greater Victoria area. The following is provided as a guideline regarding some of the requirements you may encounter. Please note that these regulations can also change so you have to contact the municipality for current information,
City of Victoria
To expand and diversify the City's tourism economy, the City permits small bed and breakfast operations throughout Victoria's neighbourhood.
To qualify, the operator must live in a detached single family dwelling and rent no more than 2 bedrooms for transient accommodation as a home occupation. A business licence is required at a cost of $ 100 per year plus an additional $5 per room. The City's Zoning By-Laws impose the following restrictions:
* meals or food services may be provided to any customers but not after 12:00 noon
* no liquor shall be provided to any customers
* one parking space for each room available for transient accommodation shall be provided on the lot and a parking space may be located behind another parking space
* no sign may be erected, used, or maintained for the purpose of advertising transient accommodation use within a single family dwelling
Rezoning
Detached dwellings with more than 2 bedrooms for rent require rezoning. In that event, consideration is given to:
* to the numbers of similar business in the neighbourhoood
* the impact on the stock of affordable housing
* the impact on local parking
Other Municipalities in Greater Victoria
Local regulations vary across the Capital Region. The following are some examples:
* Sidney permits 2 persons only per home
* Saanich and Langford allow bed and breakfasts similar to the City of Victoria but restrict floor area rather than number of bedrooms
* Sooke permits up to 3 bedrooms on urban-sized lots and also imposes a limit on number of persons
Detailed information regarding B & B's is available from each municipality.
Helpful Hints for the New Operator of a B & B
Breakfast
Plan out breakfast menus and create approximately 4 standards that are different and easily assembled.
If possible, have an area where coffee/tea/juice are available so guests can help themselves without having to call on you -- some have it set up in the room.
Depending on facilities, some B & B operators like to set up their breakfasts in a buffet fashion so guests can help themselves -- that is particularly useful if you have several guests at a time.
Reservations
When it comes to taking deposits, new operators usually go through several ways before settling on one. Some operators request a 50% deposit at the time of booking and the balance several days before arrival. Others request 50% on booking and the balance on arrival. These systems work best to ensure that you are protected in case your guests cancel at the last minute due to some unexpected circumstance.
Of course, others require a lesser deposit and pay the balance on arrival. In most instances, this works but there is a greater risk of lost revenue if there is a last minute cancellation.
Method of Payment
The most desireable seems to be the credit card. It ensures immediate payment, However, many operators have successfully accepted cheques.
If you opt for credit cards, the rate is lower if you are a member of an organization.
Finally
This information should provide you with some food for thought. Operating a B & B is a wonderful way to supplement an income. In the case of larger B & B's, they can provide a living. Your accountant can advise you of the tax advantages in operating a Bed & Breakfast.
If you are looking for an experienced agent in this field, I would be pleased to help you.
