Airbnb is on the ballot today

[KKC]

@Allison_H

In one downtown apartment complex, if you drive through it on a weekend, it’s largely out of state plates

Do they have fire regulations in these transient tenements?

[Allison_H]

They are nice apartments. I’m sure they passed building inspections for regular occupancy, as they were built in the last 3 years.

We treat our rich tourists very well.

Meanwhile, the incredibly run-down hotel across town is being revamped as “efficiencies” in a low-income housing scheme.

So the rich folks get the new construction or existing rentals downtown. The local workers get pushed to a 40-year old transient tenement Red Roof Inn look alike.

[RebeccaF]

We don’t have any regulations here, either, about STR and/or Airbnb. We’re lucky to be in a township rather than a city. And there are no hotels at all in the township. I can find only one other Airbnb location in our township.

With luck, we will continue to escape regulations or restrictions here.

[TamiS]

I just went through it in NM, and it was a pain, but I imagine it could have been worse. Some of the regulations make my cute and cozy home away from home feel like a commercial office space, but it passed inspection and I’m fully legal. I’m pretty sure I’m the very first STR host in the city to go through it though. The inspectors (including the fire chief) didn’t seem to really know what they were doing. Hopefully, it’ll go easier for the next host.

[JJD]

@TamiS

The inspectors (including the fire chief)

We already have fire inspections and regulations about parking and such because we’re a legal multi-unit for LTR (we don’t have any STR regulations in my city). Now that I look back at the wording, I imagine we’re pretty much already set-up for that kind of thing. It might have been the “periodic” bit that sounded so bad to me. Thanks for giving perspective on it!

[Keugenia]

@KKC

There’s a guy in a city I stayed in two years ago with a wonderful home. He greeted us in person and was working in the yard for about an hour after we arrived. He had 3 listings at the time but I overruled my one host, one home mantra and booked with him. Now I’m going back to the same city and he has 12 listings.

I have 3 listings and I manage them all myself. I may add one more—a wonderful Art Moderne historic home—but that would be my limit. If I can’t provide my guests with a personalized stay and give them (and the house) any individual attention they need then I wouldn’t want to do it.

There’s no shortage of affordable rental housing here for residents and tons of empty housing stock. I read that 10% of the single family homes in our town are vacant. We are losing population here, not gaining it. You can buy a decent home ridiculously cheap here.

[georgiahost]

@Keugenia

tons of empty housing stock. I read that 10% of the single family homes in our town are vacant. We are losing population here, not gaining it. You can buy a decent home ridiculously cheap here.

This is true in my town also. Many vacant houses.

[Icklemiss]

I completely agree, not surprisingly. Real problems only surface with distant, hands off hosts, especially those who double as investors/builders. It dismantles a community.

[Kitty_Norris]

Not in my experience. I (and several other local hosts) reported an unsafe listing - a junk filled rickety trailer, fire hazard, remote location, advertising 10+ party guests with one toilet…no permit from the county…6 months passed, nothing done. With the entire region on alert for fire…we were legitimately concerned.

[KKC]

@Kitty_Norris

With the entire region on alert for fire

I have long expected the tragedy that made national news to be fire related. When I see basements stuffed with beds and only one means of egress my skin crawls. And I’ve seen a host here post pictures of his basement listing and when it was pointed out the listing is dangerous and in violation of code, he told us to mind our own business and disappeared.