What do you do when other AirBnB hosts are not following city regulations?

[Cheryl706]

What do you do when other AirBnB hosts are not following city regulations? I have to charge more for my place because I am a legal host and have a city business license and therefor must pay a 9% TOT tax plus mill tax. Our city does not allow owners to rent an entire house for AirBnB type short stays. Our city says that you may rent one or two rooms and must stay in your home. There are so many listings nearby that are cheap for entire homes let alone cheap rooms. How am I supposed to compete  when AirBnB compares my price with others but AirBnB does not acknowledge my status as a host that is following city regulations and  paying city taxes? I noticed that in Utah, when I rent a place there, TOT taxes are automatically charged. Why not in my city?

[Basha0]

I would not worry nor report what others do. Be the best host you can. Sooner or later the illegal rentals will be found out. 

[Cheryl706]

But meanwhile, they can rent for cheaper than I can.

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@Cheryl706 @Basha0 

Hi Cheryl - I too am a legal host in the "Wild West" where there are many who don't think it is necessary or important to play by the rules governing their chosen industry. The city or county needs to run a program called Host Compliance which will show every online listing on all platforms, legal or not. They tend to do this when  they are feeling the pinch financially, realizing that the TOT they can collect is more than the cost of the program. Certain legal issues can also prompt them to do this.  As @Basha0 says, you can only do your best work, and be patient that the system will sort itself out. Hang in there!

[Cheryl706]

Thanks for the information about "Host Compliance."

[Lorna170 · Accepted solution]

@Cheryl706  Advertise yourself as LICENSED, Tax Registered and insured (if you have STR insurance).   Put it in a prominent place on your listing text. 

Works wonders!  

[Fred13]

Perhaps best to remind the onlookers how you are different than report them. It is a matter of time before they be found out. @Lorna170 suggestion is very good, it implies you are legit and others may not be. 

[Dawn241]

I am struggling with this also. I’ve contacted Airbnb which stated I would have to report each individual listing and the host would know I was the one reporting them. There’s over 90. No thanks. 

airbnb did say if someone from the city contacted them they have a different department- legal- that would handle it differently. Encourage your city to contact Airbnb. 

also, as many have stated here, promote that you are licensed and what that mens for guests. We have to pass a strict fire and safety inspection- CO2, fire alarms, extinguishers, space heaters cannot be the only heat source. Etc. Over half the listings in Bisbee don’t have CO2 detectors. We’ve all heard the recent horror stories regarding CO2. 

[Cheryl706]

Thank you. I am glad to know that if I report to AirBnB they will tattle on me. That stinks. I guess they are more interested in the dollars the illegal ones generate than supporting those of us doing what AirBnB has asked us to do!