Hawaii

TexasTowelie

(116,879 posts) Wed Jun 19, 2019, 10:01 PM Jun 2019

Honolulu Council Approves Crackdown On Vacation Rentals

Oahu property owners who illegally use their units as short-term vacation rentals could face fines of up to $10,000 a day under a bill passed unanimously by the Honolulu City Council in a packed council chamber Monday.

Under Bill 89, a limited number of units, about 1,700, could be rented in homes where the owner lives, but the measure doesn’t allow for any new permits for whole-home rentals, which have become an increasingly popular alternative to hotels.

“Illegal short-term rentals have gone unchecked for too long,” said the bill’s sponsor, Councilman Ron Menor.

The measure, which now awaits Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s signature, is the result of months of contentious debate about how the island should handle thousands of illegal vacation units in neighborhoods outside of resort zones.

Read more: https://www.civilbeat.org/2019/06/honolulu-council-approves-crackdown-on-vacation-rentals/

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Honolulu Council Approves Crackdown On Vacation Rentals (Original Post) TexasTowelie Jun 2019 OP

the problem with airBnb etc is msongs Jun 2019 #1

It also affects the hotel industry and government funding, TexasTowelie Jun 2019 #2

Good for them. Phoenix61 Jun 2019 #3

msongs

(70,185 posts)

1. the problem with airBnb etc is

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Wed Jun 19, 2019, 10:22 PM

Jun 2019

it originally began as a way to rent out a spare room in your house to make a few $$. now it is speculators buying housing and renting out all the rooms short term vacation rental at exhorbitant rates. this of course reduces the amount of housing available for actual island residents and drives up housing prices overall, all for speculators and gougers feeding profits to air whats it and similar companies

TexasTowelie

(116,879 posts)

2. It also affects the hotel industry and government funding,

Reply to msongs (Reply #1)

Wed Jun 19, 2019, 10:27 PM

Jun 2019

particularly when the short-term rentals do not pay hotel taxes. The neighbors also aren't very happy with the increased traffic and late night parties which can affect the quality of life in the neighborhood. Having the guests go outside and urinate in the yards is also a minus.

Phoenix61

(17,663 posts)

3. Good for them.

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Wed Jun 19, 2019, 11:40 PM

Jun 2019

Short term rentals take housing and turn it into a money making business which artificially inflates comps making it even more difficult for people who actually want to live in a home be able to afford one.

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