Montreal Limits Rentals to 3 Months, Landfolk Expands in France, Vrbo’s Top Vacation Rentals of 2025

Montreal Introduces Rental Caps — Airbnb Warns of Major Economic Fallout

• Short-term rentals (STR) in Montreal will now be limited to just three months a year, June 10 to September 10, leaving even compliant hosts banned for the other nine months.
• The new bylaw is primarily to address the city’s housing crisis and requires permit numbers to be listed on booking platforms and on-site, renewed annually, with fines for violations from $1,000.
• Airbnb is calling this new move “extreme and short-sighted,” warning that it could put over $400 million in annual economic activity and more than 4,400 local jobs at risk.
• In its article, Airbnb warned the impact would extend beyond hosts to local businesses and major events like the Montreal Grand Prix.
• Airbnb says that Last year, over 16,000 guests stayed in Airbnb listings just during Grand Prix weekend—an event that now falls outside the new permitted rental window.

Snigdha’s Views

• Limiting STRs to just three months a year in a tourism-heavy city like Montreal is effectively a seasonal ban—cutting off year-round income and threatening business viability.
• Montreal already limits rentals to primary residences and requires provincial registration, yet it’s tightening rules further—showing that regulation can always go a step further.
• ​​As a result, property owners who expected year-round income may pull out of STR agreements, especially if they’re paying off mortgages—leaving managers to renegotiate contracts or pivot their services entirely.

• Property managers should always have a backup plan—whether that’s exploring new markets or adopting a hybrid model like STRs in summer and mid-term or long-term stays in the off-season.
  Airbnb can be seen sharpening its advocacy, using data and economic modeling to push back against strict regulations in cities like Barcelona, New York, and now Montreal.
• As Airbnb suggests, even with strict rules, rents in Montreal remain high—just like NYC post-STR ban, where hotel prices also soared. If the aim is affordability, reactive bans risk doing more harm than good.

Landfolk Eyes French Countryside for Growth, Rolls Out New Luxury Portfolio

• Landfolk, the Scandinavian platform known for its curated vacation homes, has officially launched in France. 
• With this expansion, Landfolk is rolling out a high-end segment for the first time, offering what it calls “exceptional retreats that redefine luxury.” 
• The homes in its new French portfolio include châteaux, wine estates, and design-led villas that focus not on excess but on experience and
  atmosphere.
• According to CEO Christian Schwarz Lausten, the move is about capturing the essence of French “savoir-vivre” while elevating Landfolk’s brand identity.
• Guests can now book these new high-end listings across regions like Provence, Brittany, Champagne, and the Ardèche directly through Landfolk.

About Landfolk:

Founded in 2021 by former Airbnb employees, Landfolk is a vacation rental company offering holiday homes in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Germany. 

Snigdha’s Views

• Landfolk’s entry into France comes on the heels of its Danitalia acquisition, hinting at how the brand is speeding up its European expansion strategy.
• As more travelers move away from generic stays and lean into offbeat, experience-driven travel, Landfolk’s curated properties can stand out. 
• Unlike open marketplaces, Landfolk is not a platform where one can list a home. Properties are handpicked by their in-house team and are assessed across four core pillars: personality, scenic surroundings, quality hosting, and design consistency.
• However, if you manage boutique properties or unique homes with strong architectural identity and high design standards, Landfolk may be worth reaching out to.
• Landfolk’s core target is a more design-conscious, experience-first traveler—people who value authenticity, privacy, and thoughtful detail over flashy amenities. 
• France is one of the most tightly regulated vacation rental markets in Europe, yet brands like Landfolk are still expanding, strategically focusing on rural areas with fewer restrictions and less competition

Vrbo’s 2025 Vacation Rentals of the Year Focus on Big Homes, Pro Hosts, and Family Travel

• Vrbo has revealed its 2025 list of “Vacation Rentals of the Year,” spotlighting the most remarkable private vacation homes on its platform across the U.S.. 
• Selected from over 2 million listings, these homes stand out for glowing 9.8 or more guest reviews, standout amenities, family-friendly design, and top-tier Premier Hosts.
• The list features properties that range from luxury chalets in the Catskills to estates in Scottsdale and oceanfront escapes in Michigan. 
• Nearly all of these homes are large, designed for groups, and come with elevated amenities like private pools, hot tubs, fire pits, sports courts, and game rooms.
• While some listings are run by individual hosts, the majority seem to be managed by professional vacation rental companies.
• Guests booking Vrbo’s 2025 Vacation Rentals of the Year can earn OneKeyCash through Vrbo’s free One Key rewards program, usable on future eligible stays.
• There’s also a quick nod to international vacation rentals in locations like France, Morocco, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Snigdha’s Views

• All the featured homes are built for groups and families (8 to 20+ guests), which fits the growing demand for multigenerational travel and also aligns with Vrbo’s core focus of longer, family-friendly stays—a segment Airbnb is working to tap into.

• The list focuses mainly on U.S. properties to strengthen Vrbo’s domestic foothold, but the subtle addition of an international list suggests it’s also eyeing global expansion in key leisure markets.
• If you manage large, family-friendly homes with thoughtful amenities and strong guest reviews, Vrbo is clearly favoring this type of inventory in its top-tier marketing.
• It’s also a reminder that being a Premier Host matters , every home on this list was selected in part due to consistent quality and hospitality.
• If you’re managing exceptional homes, especially for families or groups, this is the kind of recognition you can aim for—and use in your owner pitches too.