Timeshare Renters

[Aubrie3]

Soooo I'm curious if there are restrictions on hosts renting out/listing their timeshare properties on AirBNB. 

I was looking at renting a spot in Charleston, SC. I found a floor layout I liked on the timeshare website then messaged the host via AirBNB app inquiring if the layout I want to rent is available since the listing on AirBNB was limited and a copy/paste listing with no indication of what layouts any of the listings are. 

I think that a timeshare owner legally cannot rent out their "rented" property on AirBNB because in this loophole the host does not have to pay state lodging tax (where applicable, 2% in SC) since they don't actually own the property and are effectively just renters subletting on AirBNB inflating the rental price to make big $$$ all while evading state taxes. 

Asking for a friend!

[Anonymous]

@Aubrie3   Airbnb doesn't care whether a listing is illegal. But if book a stay knowing it's a sublet and likely against the rules/bylaws, there's a big risk you'll have a problematic stay. 

[AirbtheDiva0]

We do it. 

[Kevin3827]

You are making a lot of assumptions that I don't believe are true, at least not in all cases.  Timeshare owners own, not rent, and they pay maintenance fees, taxes, etc.  Plus they have to pay income tax on the rent they charge in some circumstances.  My guess is the resort where they own is handling any occupancy fees as required by law.  If the resort is letting the owner rent out their timeshare, I am sure they have a thorough understanding of what the legal requirements for the owner to rent would be.  You can always check with the resort to see if the owner is allowed to rent out their timeshare and if there are additional fees involved.

[Jason114]

You're right to question it.. whether someone can list a timeshare on Airbnb depends entirely on the resort's rules. Some timeshares allow owners to rent out their allotted weeks, others prohibit it, and Airbnb doesn't police this.

As for taxes, timeshare owners still have to follow local lodging-tax laws. Owning a timeshare doesn't exempt anyone, and Airbnb either collects/remits the taxes or passes them through for the host to remit.