Monthly short-term rental news roundup – February 2019
This month in short-term rental news – Microbooking and professional help for breaking the rules.
Here’s the scoop:
- There’s big big money in helping hosts dodge the rules. In London property managers are actively advising landlords how to break the city’s 90-day limit, and in Vancouver hundreds of hosts are just ignoring the rules because they’re so hard to enforce. Who’s surprised when illegal operations can earn $28 million a year? Fines aren’t a deterrent for most, so maybe the answer is what Nashville is trying – sending repeat offenders to jail.
- Another month of legal argy-bargy between governments and STR platforms. New York sues Airbnb for host data. Paris sues Airbnb for having illegal listings, just before Airbnb agrees to help enforce the city’s 120-limit. Coincidence? Now Paris just needs to get the hundreds of other sites to play ball…
- Short-term rentals may not help the local tourism industry as much as traditional operators. In WA STRs are booming (despite councils attempting to crack down), but local tours and restaurants are having a dismal summer.
Airbnb clone of the month
Why rent out a room for a night when you can just rent it for an hour? Recharge lets you book a room for just a few minutes if that’s all you need for your nap. Sorry, for your “nap”. Coming soon to a Sydney and Melbourne high-rise near you.
