OMG we need your help #Baltimore, Please copy the link and join the petition

[Mrs--Donna0]

I am so sorry to do this here, I was trying so hard to reach all Baltimore city Airbnb hosts, and visitors, we need your help, don't know if you heard, the city and the hotel industry are trying to get us out of the hospitality business, we need everyone to sign this petition, and come to city hall on 10/29/18 only a few days away, I hope people seen this, If you see this could you pass this link on to others. Thanks 

https://www.change.org/p/baltimore-city-council-support-baltimore-hosts-call-to-amend-council-bill-1...

[Andrew216]

Why not just re-list it several times under different titles/names/description? Who's going to know?

[Mrs--Donna0]

thank you, 

[Mark116]

Tell them to do what Jersey City did, the city added an occupancy tax for airbnb that airbnbn collects and directly gives to the city, it's like free money to municipalities....I have no idea why cities are banning airbnbns when they could be making serious $$ instead.

[Mrs--Donna0]

Mark I want to think, the city of Baltimore Govt are in bed with the hotel industry, why else they would be telling us 5 people in your home would be  labled as a hotel, so if you have 5 beds pay a hotel tax, then they want to inspect each home, the other thing is that you can only have 2 homes, and the host has to live in one, but only if you have these homes before October, so no more new airbnb in Baltimore if this bill passes. We are doing our best to fight them, but no one have the funds to fight them in court, Lawyers are asking over $100,000.  Baltimore city saw a big increase of people coming to Baltimore, since airbnb. One hotel chain just built a brand new hotel downtown. Some Apartment chain are closing floor just for short term rentals. Go figures 

[Mark116]

Does airbnb offer any help to you guys?  I am always kind of amazed the things they seem to spend money on, when there are cities across the world who are trying to ban short term rentals, and yet, after their first couple of high profile losses, it seems that they threw in the towel.  There "should" be some type of government relations/public affairs group w/airbnbn that can help people like you....provide data on the income airbnbn brings to cities, the truths about who is offering airbnbns and general organizing assistance to help hosts in dealing with legislation and community meetings.  It seems like none of this exists and hosts are on their own.  I wish you the best of luck.

[SueEllen0]

There can still be new Airbnb's in Baltimore -- they just have to be owner-occupied.

[Joe537]

@SueEllen0

My read of the bill is that if you both own and live in the home you are using for Aibnb - you still have to pay $100/year for a licence from the city and 9.5% tax on whatever income you earn from Airbnb. Also, Airbnb is not permitted to list your home unless you present them with a permit from the city. Penalties range from $250 to $1,000 for not following the rules.

Full text of the bill

[SueEllen0]

Yes. Exactly. 

It has also occurred to me that if an Owner Occupant of an Airbnb/STR home that was in operation prior to the cut-off for the second-hosted property ownership requirement, that if the homeowner were to move to another primary home in Baltimore City (keeping the first house), and set-up the 2nd primary home also for Airbnb/STR, then the first home should still fall under the grandfathered 2nd home -- right? So, they could then run 2 homes ?