ATT: VERMONT HOSTS & COVID 19

[Heather133]

Many of you may not be aware of this information from the Vermont Department of Labor website:Is my private rental property (Airbnb, etc.) considered to be a lodging establishment under the Executive Order?

Yes, any commercial transaction providing accommodations is considered lodging.

 What lodging is considered related to COVID-19 response, critical infrastructure and national security?

As per section 6 (l); lodging is permitted only to the extent required to support COVID-19 response, critical infrastructure and national security. Some examples of permitted lodging would include housing for vulnerable populations (emergency shelter for homeless individuals); providing accommodations for health care workers, or other workers deemed necessary to support public health, public safety or critical infrastructure; lodging properties being used as quarantine facilities; and limited extenuating circumstances for the care and safety of Vermonters (such as lodging for an out-of-town family member to provide childcare for an essential worker).  

No new arrivals or reservations for immediate extension of stay are permitted after 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25 through April 15. Existing guests should be asked to depart unless they meet the above criteria. Any establishment with a guest that does not comply with this guidance after such time must verify the lodging is permitted by completing the Continuation of Business Operations Form.

I have contacted Airbnb for guidance on canceling reservations without penalties. I'm hoping to hear back soon.

[Randy436]

I did some investigations and found that my listing and all other listings in Vermont have their calanders blocked indefinitely . I was not able to unblock them . We only have article 7 stating we cannot book until after 4/15/2020. However the gov may extend that today . BUT our calendars are BLOCKED all the way into 2021.  Listing out of state are not. Did the legislature actually do this to our private sites ? If so that’s a civil right violation. Please advise if you have see the same and call the states attorney Donavan’s office and file a complaint. I did . 

[Heather133]

@Randy436 My understanding was that addendum 7 said lodging facilities couldn't accept any new reservations for future stays. With the governor's new guidance yesterday (Addendum 9) saying we could accept reservations for June 15th onward and honor existing reservations from May 15th onward, I thought our calendars would be opened back up. I've tried opening them myself, but haven't had any luck. I did a search for Vermont listings and I noted there are a few open. I hope they help us out with this soon.

[Sarah1061]

We are in the same boat as our calendar is blocked by Airbnb beyond 2021 it seems. I believe you are correct, all short term rentals are allowed to reopen after June 15. But as of right now the calendar is blocked by Airbnb and we cannot receive new reservations come June. I cannot get through to anyone at the help center for guidance...

[Donna379]

You are correct.  I also contacted three different support specialists, 2 told me I was wrong, one said he would  forward my issue to the tech department.  This has gone on for 24 hours plus.  Vermont hosts need to send support messages-if they inundated they might address it.

[Randy436]

Yes I discussed this with the states attorney and they told me that after the date listed in article 9 then the calanders will open( I hope so) as people book now for fall. NH,NY and Maine are NOT being treated the same as Vermont. The state is trying to prevent additional cancelations later in the year if this sticks around. 

It would be interesting to call a Hilton and see if you can book today for a date in October , IF you can that would be a HUGE issue including civil rights violation and discrimination. I have talked to campgrounds and they also cannot book Until the date passes . I feel that’s a bit rediculous myself. I respect the window of the stay at home order BUT not beyond that day and if that date changes I will Homer  that. But to block an entire year?!! We may as well just sell our places instead. I told air B and B. That they will also loose huge revenue in fees . Could someone check if Homeaway or Vrbo is also doing this? Just an additional idea I had .

please call the states attorney and as a group we may be able to leverage with the team pressure , but in short block our calanders for that dates of the Artic 7 and 9 ONLY NOT the entire fiscal year. WOW

Thoughts and input appreciated 

Randy 

[Randy436]

Another update and sorry to sound dramatic BUT I am now quite upset as you all should be . I just called the Hilton in Burlington Vermont and I was able to book a room TODAY for October. So clearly we are now being treated differently than a hotel. Hilton told me they cannot book any date WITHIN the covid time in the article 7 and 9   So their calendars ARE NOT blocked for the fiscal year . We all need to call the states attorney and complain why we are treated differently when a HOTEL is a MUCH worse situation for covid that any remote air b and b  this situation needs to stop now . Can everyone work together on this please . I will also call the states attorney Monday . This is totally discrimination.  I asked the Hilton why they can be booking any dates through the year and they said “ well we are not Air B and B and they hung up on me. Definitely hitting a sore spot. And I am sure Hilton has lobbiest pressing for their business staying online . What gives!!!!

[Donna379]

I agree we all need to make many phone calls on Monday.  Does anyone know if realtors are allowed to book short term rentals anytime after June 15th?  There is a problem with the perception that Airbnb rentals are a threat to hotels, B&B's and even other short term rentals-lobby against all Airbnb hosts.  All the taxes Vermont is going to loss will just raise whatever property tax you are paying now, so it is a double whammy.  Every host needs to call, message, write to their local state representative now.

[Randy436]

Our calanders must be opened up ASAP . I have a call into the supervisors ofnair b and b 

[Donna379]

Please do-I have tried three times!  And will continue to do so.

[Kerrie3]

I tried too to no avail. VRBO opened my calendar, so really, what is the problem??? Very frustrating.

[Derek116]

I would suggest you join the Facebook group VT STR Host Forum  

[Steve2566]

Hi Derek Hi- What happened with the reservations that were already scheduled up to June 15, if they had not begun yet? They had to be cancelled? Its not clear to me if reservations are honored only for those that were already physically in the rental property at the time of the executive order or also to those that had previously scheduled them but haven't arrived yet ( for example a reservation from May 15 to June 15).  Would you know? The information on the facegroup you proposed is not public.Thanks so much!

[Trey-and-Nikki0]

@Lizzie @Aisling  What is being done to correct this? Your competition at VRBO has gotten their act together and aligned with the State's mandate..... when is AirBnB? Unlock our calendars starting June 15th, 2020.

Why is AirBnB once again failing it's hosts?

[Derek116]

Looks like Airbnb has fixed the issue.