Florida ban on short term rentals

[Kelli222]

Hello.  So, as usual, at the last possible minute, the Florida governor extended the short term rental ban indefinitely.   Originally it was set to expire on 4/30/20.  And, of course, bookings started on May 1.  On 4/29, he made the announcement to extend, so I had to cancel several upcoming reservations.  Guests were very understanding but were unable to cancel on their side.  When I canceled (rather than risk getting charged with misdemeanor), AirBNB message tells me I’ll get a bad review, lose my super host status and I was fined $100 that will be deducted from my next payout.  I sent in a case along with governors order, but have no response yet.  Anyone know how AirBNB will handle this?  

[Helen3]

@Kelli222  why didn't you cancel under the EC policy for the Covid virus, then you could have cancelled penalty free?

Personally I have blocked my calendar for April to June so that I don't have to be in the position where myself or the guests have to keep cancelling bookings as it seems clear the lock downs will continue to get extended until we are all in a safer position.

[Sara1395]

I have called Airbnb about the detail of the extension but they have not received the notification about the ban extension. I think if you show them the proof that its by law they should be able to refund you all the penalties. 

Anyone knows if the booking is an housing emergency-like plumbing repair from the neighbors, will that be okay?

[Jim554]

Will hosts survive thru the summer months?

https://youtu.be/aWSU31hi08w

[Gene832]

There is a law that is going through the legislature in Florida that will allow HOA communities to ban all vacation rental ie all Airbnb rentals of less than six months starting from July 1st, 2021. The proposed law is SB 630 (Senate Bill 630) which got a unanimous vote in the senate and is about to receive a unanimous vote in the house HB 665 (House Bill 665). If this will not be stopped everyone how rents out their homes in an HOA community will have to stop renting out their property starting from July 1, 2021 if the HOA decides to not allow Airbnb. There will NOT be a grandfathering provision for vacation rentals, only for rentals that are 6 months or longer and the homeowner can only rent out their home a maximum three times a year.

See language of the bill attached:

link to the website:

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2021/630/BillText/e1/HTML

 (h)1. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, any
 2687  governing document, or amendment to a governing document, that
 2688  is enacted after July 1, 2021, and that prohibits or regulates
 2689  rental agreements applies only to a parcel owner who acquires
 2690  title to the parcel after the effective date of the governing
 2691  document or amendment, or to a parcel owner who consents,
 2692  individually or through a representative, to the governing
 2693  document or amendment.
 2694         2. Notwithstanding subparagraph 1., an association may
 2695  amend its governing documents to prohibit or regulate rental
 2696  agreements for a term of less than 6 months and may prohibit the
 2697  rental of a parcel for more than three times in a calendar year,
 2698  and such amendments shall apply to all parcel owners.

 @brianchesky