Oahu Vacation Rentals Banned

[Casey143]

Anyone seen or heard any update of the implementation of the TVR bills that the city council just passed on Oahu? I know the mayor still needs to sign but when does the law go into effect and how is Airbnb handling the situation? Will our reservations be cancelled by Airbnb? I know some other cities went through similar situations but I'm not sure how it played out with Airbnb.

Mahalo.

[Grace330]

Hey Judy, 

you can check on Bill 89 and Bill 85. The qualification is a lot more strict than just have GE and TAT tax number. 

[Paul1416]

Short answer: Nope.

I have my GE tax license and TAT Certificate in place and have paid all of my taxes since day 1.

I've been trying to reach out to AirBnB with some proposed strategies/tricks but they keep giving me stock responses and won't connect me with their legal team.  I also asked them to at least send us a mass email update but nothing... I'm still trying.

-Paul

[Julieann9]

That's the same question I have.

Does anyone know when we can start if we already have our certificates?

I got mine in 2019,but I read...," We can't start until October 2020. 

Is that true?

MAHALO VERY MUCH,

Julie on Oahu 

[Alison0]

Aloha Julieann,

No certificates will be awarded until Oct 2020. Not sure how you got one unless you bought a place that has an NUC and it passed on to you?

Alison

[Abraham87]

Hi, no one will be able to advertise at all on Oahu except the ones that already have a Non Conforming Certificate that was issued before (?) 1989.  TAT or GET doesn't matter.

I will be turning in my GET & TAT license after the 1st.

By January the city will see the trickle down effect it has caused all communities.

I want to honor whoever has a reservation already and the sites should keep making the transfers.

Good Luck

[Chris1953]

Our reservation was just cancelled without any explanation and when I spoke with the host for our reservations she apologized and said Airbnb stated they would give us an explanation. I contacted Airbnb and they gave us a run around trying to show us similar places to rent, when I asked if the same thing wouldn't happen again they stated they weren't sure. Finally I spoke with someone higher up which informed us that the bill caused the host to have to cancel reservations and it could possibly happen again if we rented with any others from Airbnb. I was obviously very upset as we set our reservations weeks ago and will be traveling to Oahu in 3 weeks and now are back to looking for somewhere else to stay. I cannot believe Airbnb has not done something to ensure both hosts and guests are taken care of with all the money they are making.

[Farrah15]

Chris,

Look for a rental with a TVU/NUC certificate. Those listings will not cancel you as they are legal rentals.  You can also rent a condo in a resort district.  If in doubt, reach out to the owner/manager.  My unit has one, but I’m booked through August. Good luck!

[Christina771]

Aloha Chris, I'm a reporter for the Honolulu-based news organization Civil Beat. I'm sorry to hear about the stress surrounding your vacation. What did you end up doing? I'd love to speak with you about your perspective on the new law. Can you shoot me a note to connect? cjedra@civilbeat.org. Hope to chat soon. 

[Helen427]

Aloha @Casey143 @Farrah15 @Chris1953 @Paul1416 @Grace330

@Judy9 

See my post in this thread, network together through the msg system & take it on board within your community.

You may also like to reach out to @Laura_C who is Head of Customer services who is one of the Admins here in CC as she may have some suggestions how to go forward as part of ABB community.

All the best

Central To All Home & Location, New Zealand

[Daniela1105]

That's good news about the mayor! I'll definitely be calling his office!

[Jonathan886]

What ever happened with this?

[Walter313]

Hi All in Oahu,

I have been paying TAT and GE taxes since 2001, but do no have a NCU (non-conforming use permit) so I have delisted on Airbnb since any advertisement without an NCU permit number will subject the short term vacation rental owner to a $1000/day fine.  Several owners at Turtle Bay have requested an exemption as we are in the resort area although the condos are listed residential.  Very muddy waters, but who can afford the risk of potential fines?  I plan to honor my reservations made prior to delisting.

Walt