I think this is great. I love that there is a partnership with VRBO to identify violators and properties.
But it doesn’t go far enough. In Kansas City we worked with Airbnb to get a law passed to make short term rentals legal. The maximum occupancy is 2 per bedroom plus one or 8 people whichever is smaller. So in a 5 bedroom house the max is still 8. Owners may have no more than one Airbnb in a building,
And yet I’ve been able to bookmark listings advertising for as much as 2-3 times the maximum. 70% of the units are not licensed or legal.
One neighbor has two separate apartments listed in the same single family home. Neighbors testified against another absentee investor advertising his home for large groups and parties on social media. He lost when we proved his own guest reviews showed them praising his place for hosting huge groups in a single family home on a quiet street.
Shut illegal rentals down. Those are where the parties are occurring. Those are where the last few shootings happened. Do we think those investors care about policing this policy?
Also, the individuals on the hotline need to be dedicated and willing to work with the police and the host to evict violators.
Change the terms of service and confirmation emails to remind guests that ONLY the people on the reservation are allowed in a rental unit without prior permission. And that violators will be prosecuted. Then make sure there’s a valid ID (state issued) on file.
I think the no party rule helps neighborhoods. But it must be enforced. We aren’t cheap alternatives to event spaces. Kansas City is really struggling on this issue.