by Paris Achen | Apr 4, 2023 | Advocate Engagement, Community Engagement, Hosting and Management, Humans of Short-Term Rentals, Local Government, Property Care, Rules and Regulations, Short-Term Rental Regulation
Like many in the short-term rental advocacy sphere, proposed regulations at the local City Council brought hosts Annette Grant and Sarah Karakaian together. Both had come to speak at the Columbus City Council meeting in spring 2018 to oppose a proposal that would have...
by Paris Achen | Apr 3, 2023 | Responsible Renting, Rules and Regulations, Taxes
Vacation rental taxes aren’t always straightforward, and as a responsible host, you’ll want to make sure you are in compliance with all local, state, and federal tax rules. Certain tax questions are common, so to make your tax season a little less taxing, we’ve...
by Paris Achen | Mar 24, 2023 | Hosting and Management, Property Care, Rules and Regulations, Safety
Google searches and questions in hospitality forums show that many hosts struggle to understand short-term rental insurance and what it covers. Here are answers to some of your frequently asked questions about vacation rental insurance and whether you need a separate...
by Paris Achen | Mar 2, 2023 | Responsible Renting, Rules and Regulations
If you feel confused by your local vacation rental regulations, you are not alone. On top of different regulations in almost every town, the regulations of different jurisdictions in the same geographic area can overlap. If your state, county, city, and homeowners...
by Paris Achen | Jan 13, 2023 | Accessibility, Hosting and Management, Marketing, Supporting Local Businesses
Incorporating local businesses into your vacation rental guests’ experience has a trifecta of benefits: It fuels your local economy, enhances your guests’ stay, and makes you a valued member of the community. By creating a great guest experience with your business...
by Paris Achen | Jan 10, 2023 | Community Engagement, Local Government, Responsible Renting, STR Advocacy 101, Supporting Local Businesses
More than half of the housing units in the mountain town of Truckee, California, are considered vacant, according to the 2020 Census, the most recent statistics available. The properties are largely second homes that sit empty when their owners aren’t staying there or...
by Paris Achen | Dec 23, 2022 | Guest Communications, Hosting and Management, Marketing, Nuisance Prevention, Property Care, Responsible Renting, Rules and Regulations, Safety, Taxes
Before the Great American Eclipse in August 2017, STR listings surged by up to 3,000% in the towns along the route of the eclipse, which spanned from Salem, Oregon, to Charleston, South Carolina, according to Bloomberg. According to the Times of San Diego, the city...
by Paris Achen | Nov 28, 2022 | Accessibility, Hosting and Management, Marketing, Responsible Renting, Safety
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has touched the lives of almost everyone on the planet. About 20 million families around the world have at least one member with autism, according to the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES)....
by Paris Achen | Nov 17, 2022 | Guest Communications, Hosting and Management, Nuisance Prevention, Property Care, Responsible Renting, Safety
Can vacation rentals have surveillance cameras? This is a frequently asked question that plagues the minds of hosts who want to protect their property and guests who want to protect their privacy. The answer is more than a simple yes or no, and the decision whether to...
by Paris Achen | Nov 2, 2022 | Leadership, Responsible Renting, Social Responsibility & Giving Back, STR Advocacy 101
While Jonathan Wicks lived in Chicago in the 2010s, he had a lake house in Northern Illinois that he rented short-term. At the time, the busy CEO owned a national company that cleaned homes in bank foreclosure, and because he couldn’t service his rental on his own, he...