3) Pay Your TaxesĪirbnb has consistently refused to hand over private data on the owners of Airbnb rentals, as it should to protect host privacy.īut that has allowed many hosts to evade paying taxes to their cities. In some cities, if you want to operate a short-term rental, you’ll have to register and apply for a permit.Īgain, unregistered properties listed on Airbnb could see their owners receive a nasty fine.Ĭities like Boston and San Francisco are trying to crack down on illegally run hotels where large commercial enterprises exploit the system and run under the guise of Airbnb. 2) Register, Get a Permit or Obtain a LicenseĪgain, you will have to do your homework with this one. It’s hard work, but do your homework first and save yourself A LOT of pain later. Fines in New York and San Francisco are especially steep. The consequences of operating illegally can be harsh. This can be quite complicated, especially as the goalposts are constantly shifting. You need to take responsibility and stay up-to-date about the regulations in your city regarding short-term rentals.Ĭarefully examine the zoning laws, and establish if the type of property you live in falls within the allowable limits.Ĭheck how many days per year you will be allowed to sublet.

If you are an Airbnb host or are considering becoming one, here are the basic outlines of the six issues you will have to approach seriously to ensure you stay within the bounds of the law while federal, state, and municipal regulations shift gears to fit this new mode of the service industry. There are important considerations that each prospective host should consider prior to jumping in with both feet. While stories abound of Airbnb hosts making solid extra income (even six-figure incomes!), becoming a host and succeeding takes serious commitment. Homeowners and renters seeking to make a little extra income.Travelers seeking cheaper alternatives to hotels, and.Any disruptive startup which rockets to global popularity can expect to be the recipient of a little controversy, right? However, Airbnb has tapped into two overlapping demands that have fueled its success:

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