Posted on 03/22/2018 12:31:08 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Over the last decade, short-term rental platforms like Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO have expanded and provided an economic boom to many communities.
Yet several localities are pursuing onerous zoning rules and other regulations that would restrict short-term rental activity.
For many homeowners, short-term rental provides a critical source of additional income to help them pay their mortgages and to meet other financial obligations. States can protect their residents from overzealous, local bureaucrats with state pre-emption.
Short-term rental helps local communities by growing the number of tourists that visit the area. A recent study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that out of all Airbnb reservations, 42 to 63 percent would not have resulted in a hotel stay.
Despite the benefits to communities, short-term rental has come under increased scrutiny from state and local officials as it has expanded in both size and scope. Hotels and other legacy industries that see short-term rental as a threat to their market power have lobbied powerful legislators to impose strict requirements on platforms and their hosts.
One proposal, currently being considered in the Maryland Legislature, would empower localities to impose arbitrary regulations on short-term rentals while requiring platforms like Airbnb and HomeAway/VRBO to enforce them. In the process, the state would impose onerous information collection requirements on hosts and platforms, undermining the privacy of hosts and their guests.
SB 1081 and the companion bill, HB 1604, are currently moving through both the Maryland House and Senate.
The hotel lobby is the primary driver behind this legislative push. Emerging home-sharing platforms like Airbnb pose a threat to the traditional hotel business model.
Home sharing also limits the ability of hotels to price gouge their customers during peak times, as it provides customers alternative lodging options when they are needed most.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailysignal.com ...
I’ve never used it. A couple of my kids frequently use it and love it.
We use them a lot and have not yet had a bad experience —wish I could say the same for hotels which seem to be every month or so I get a bad one.
When we moved last time I was able to rent our previous house out enough on airbnb to cover some of the upkeep and it made a huge difference.
What I dont get is people who claim to be conservative/freedom oriented/small government who have such problems with people doing as they wish with their own property.
We use them a lot and have not yet had a bad experience —wish I could say the same for hotels which seem to be every month or so I get a bad one.
When we moved last time I was able to rent our previous house out enough on airbnb to cover some of the upkeep and it made a huge difference.
What I dont get is people who claim to be conservative/freedom oriented/small government who have such problems with people doing as they wish with their own property.
Three bedrooms and a full kitchen ...
I hope you Terrapins ban Uber and Lyft while you’re at it.
“I think AirBNB is dying a natural death.”
And if it is, it will. Dragging in the government will not help. It never does.
The Patel Cartel is not happy.
Some condos associations don’t allow it———better check the condo docs first.
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I think a big problem is that even if homeowners are specific in whom they will rent to sooner or later somebody is going to challenge any restrictions as being discrimination of one form or the other. Don’t want a group of rowdy college kids? Too bad. Don’t want a couple that just gives you the creeps? Too bad.
Right now the law figures if it walks like a hotel, quacks like a hotel.. well you have a hotel so laws governing hotels would be applied if any issues arise. And those laws would likely end up not favoring a homeowner.
I don’t know the answer but it would need to protect the homeowner as well as make sure the residential character of a neighborhood is preserved. The rules should be locally drafted and implemented. But if enough problems arise the state will step in.
Just read this ...
nobody gets my SSN, not even AirBNB
In this case the owner bought the home JUST TO RENT through Airbnb———a residential street in one of the most affluent towns in MA.
Frightening.
https://theswellesleyreport.com/2017/09/party-off-wellesley-neighbors-upset-by-airbnb-dance-club/
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Lol!
a startup with a good idea that serves people and is a wonderful instrument for families is going to get a colonoscopy from the big boys because the startups are taking business away...
crony crooked capitalism...
capitalism is only for the elite rich to claim, and no one else...
That makes Spirit airlines look good by comparison.
I agree, but there are a lot of nan-state conservative NIMBY types also. You can spot them by their support for HOA's.
that’s nanny-state
Horrid people doing horrid things. Yecch. One simple solution if it is not your principle residence it just ain’t a BNB suitable for SFR zoning. Hello Mr. Fire Marshall. Hello Mr. Tax Certificate Guy. Hello ADA Compliance Gal. Hello Parking Enforcement Wench. Hello Health Department Lady. Hello Liquor License Czar. What? That’s too much? So sad, your bad, bye!!!
Written like somebody who has not come up against the absolute pretty much impossible to challenge of having so called sober homes spring up all over their and nearby neighborhoods.
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