It’s a too-little-known fact that short-term and vacation rentals have been around for more than a century. The industry’s long-standing history – and the fact that many people don’t know it – is perhaps a credit to its entrepreneurial DNA, resourcefulness, and spirit of ingenuity. I’d venture a guess that the perception STRs are a new phenomenon is because owners, hosts, and managers are constantly innovating new and incredible things.
2022 thoroughly tested the space with turbulent spikes in regulatory activity, dozens of ballot measures, and a tumultuous shift in booking patterns. And what came out of every challenge has been the creation of new tools, businesses, practices, and connections.
Not coincidentally, Rent Responsibly’s top 10 articles of this year reflect this incredible community’s inventiveness and pure willingness to try something new. The following stories were both the most popular amongst our readers and our team (in no particular order).
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State of the STR Community Report
Late last year, Rent Responsibly and a team of researchers from the College of Charleston Riley Center for Livable Communities undertook a nationwide two-part research project. Part I asked local government staff about their experiences and challenges when it came to managing short-term rental programs for their communities. Part II surveyed more than 4,000 owners, hosts, and property managers about their own experiences and challenges. The report came out in January, and the results were fascinating.
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Out and About: How Robert Geller, FabStayz, and FabUniversity are making LGBTQ+ travel safe, inclusive, and welcoming for all
When Robert Geller, who is gay, began hosting for supplemental income, he soon realized he would have to relive coming out with each new guest. He knew that for LGBTQ+ guests and hosts, such interactions could make them feel as if they had to come out to someone they may not want to. So, Robert launched FabStayz, a platform that takes the guesswork out of inclusive hospitality and how to create a home away from home for LGBTQ+ travelers everywhere.
Jenna’s Pick:
“Creating a safe space where all are welcomed and pairing that with education to help others understand is what really stood out to me about Robert Geller. He took a challenge that so many individuals are facing, and not only provided solutions but also the stepping stones and resources to follow through with that solution. Robert is a true inspiration to the STR and LBGTQ+ community.”
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Well & Good: Finding win-wins for short-term rentals and the community
After spotting a niche in the market for a specialized property turnover service, Jonathan Wicks launched Well & Good, which takes care of everything inside the short-term rental in between guests, from cleaning to professionally laundering linens and restocking amenities. The company now services about 500 properties nationwide and has more than 20 full-time employees and 100 contractors.
But the company’s success isn’t just a result of product-market fit. The name Well & Good comes from the phrase serve well and do good. Jonathan credits the company’s prosperity to its core values and providing a workplace where employees are set up for success.
Dave’s Pick:
“From the minute I met Jonathan, I knew we spoke the same language. The belief that win-win-wins are all around us is something I live by and look for. In this piece about Well & Good, Jonathan’s ethos of serving well AND doing good is eloquently captured, a natural win-win. The third “win” is created by amplifying and spotlighting this story because it inspires others to do the same. It is those with the innovative spirit AND the community-first mentality, like Jonathan, that will thrive long into the future.”
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Becoming rentABLE: How Lorraine Woodward is making short-term rentals accessible to all
For many families, going on vacation is a matter of finding room in the budget and on the calendar. But for the Woodward family and thousands like theirs, it is a matter of finding accommodations and destinations that are safe and wheelchair-accessible. Lorraine Woodward and her two sons have muscular dystrophy.
To ensure she and her sons could still be able to take a vacation, she built her own fully accessible beach house – and soon realized she could help thousands of other vacation rentals become accessible to the 61 million adults in the US who have some type of disability. In early 2021 she founded Becoming rentABLE, a website and education platform that certifies accessibility features at short-term rentals and provides a clearinghouse of accessible properties.
Abbi’s Pick:
“This article includes two things that make me so passionate about my job: Highlighting how short-term rentals can make travel more accessible to everyone and providing actionable solutions that can be implemented right away. Travel is such a wonderful thing that brings people together and is something that everyone deserves to experience. I am so proud to work for an organization that is not only bringing awareness and spotlighting amazing advocates making a difference.”
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Melissa Wright: Guiding homeowners through Portland’s complex short-term rental permit process
Like many, Melissa relished the fun of decorating a new short-term rental, buying furniture and household items, designing a business model and brand, and creating a listing for STR booking platforms. But the fun took a turn when she realized the short-term rental would need a permit, and Portland’s convoluted permitting process was nearly impossible to navigate.
The headache the city created for operators who wanted to follow the rules inspired Melissa to create the pain reliever. In the spring of 2017, she officially founded her company, STR Permits, which helps STR operators navigate the red tape. The company started in Portland but eventually expanded to other cities in Oregon, all of which have their own unique STR ordinances and permit requirements.
Dana’s Pick:
“Working with hosts and operators around the country, I see firsthand the challenges that overburdensome regulations create, whether it’s a barrier to entry that is unattainable or regulations that are unenforceable, leading to low compliance. I love how Melissa Wright not only identified a hurdle in becoming compliant but also had the wherewithal to know that others would likely run into the same challenges and found an opportunity to create a business as a solution. It’s easy to point out what’s going wrong in our industry, but to bring innovative solutions is taking a powerful step further to ensure a successful future.”
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Linda Curry: Setting the standard for Arizona short-term rentals
Both hosting and becoming president of Arizonans for Responsible Tourism may have been unexpected roles for Linda Curry, but to those who know her, they may be unsurprising. She loves to teach, has big ideas and ambitions, says yes to new and challenging opportunities, and cares deeply for her community. This magical set of traits guided her from corporate life to wellness to hospitality and, now, advocacy.
Alexa’s Pick:
“If I had a dollar for every time Linda inspired me, I could retire – but I wouldn’t because, as Linda reminds us all, there is always more good we could do. What I love most about her story is that she had no experience leading an advocacy effort or association, but she jumped in with both feet anyway and has reached incredible success for herself and Arizonans for Responsible Tourism through sheer willingness, creativity, and care. Thousands of STR operators around Arizona and the country have benefited from her leadership whether they know it or not.”
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How Victoria O’Connell and Golightly create safe short-term rental spaces for female guests and hosts
When Victoria O’Connell’s London home was robbed and vandalized by a guest who had booked her home through a popular vacation rental platform in 2017, she was understandably terrified. Yet, instead of letting fear paralyze her from short-term renting her home again, she decided to create a safe travel community specifically for female hosts and guests. The community took the form of Golightly, a vacation rental platform launched in January 2020 that serves as a private home-sharing and vacation rental club for women. Members can only join the community by invitation from another member, and only women can host or book the short-term rentals listed on the site.
Lindsey’s Pick:
“As a female who has traveled alone many times, this article introduced me to a company – and a philosophy – that I didn’t know existed. While hosting my own STR when I lived in California, I was always a little hesitant to rent to men when my husband was away for work. Golightly would have been a great solution.”
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Small State, Big Opportunity: How the Vermont STRA Incubates Innovation
With just 8,300 short-term rentals across the entire state, Vermont might not seem like an important state to watch. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Because the state is so small, it sometimes serves as a testbed for legislation other states could model, and that includes STR regulations. It’s also home to one of the most innovative STR alliances, the Vermont Short-Term Rental Alliance. Its two inspirational leaders, Julie Marks and Sybille Kim, had no direct experience in regulations or advocacy, but that hasn’t stopped them from trying new things and claiming a seat at the table even if one isn’t offered to them.
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FAQs: Service animals at short-term rentals
A frequently asked question in search engines and short-term rental forums is whether a vacation rental can deny a service dog. The answer dwells in a gray area of the law. This article explores the ins and outs of service animals, emotional support animals, and other important questions to help hosts navigate this tricky area within laws and best hospitality practices.
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9 ways to make your short-term rental more sustainable
About 71% of global travelers said they want to travel more sustainably this year, according to Booking.com’s most recent Sustainable Travel Report. Joining the effort to make travel more environmentally sustainable brings the added benefit of making your business more sustainable in the long run. Incremental eco-friendly swaps can pay off in the long term with added cost savings and increased guest demand. These nine strategies range from budget-friendly to big impact.
Garrett’s Pick:
“As someone who is passionate about protecting our environment, I think every host and manager needs to read this article and consider how they might improve the sustainability of their properties. Why? It’s a win-win-win for our entire industry! It’s easy to do, and not only can you make a positive impact on our planet, but sustainability is also increasingly important to guests. Share sustainability efforts in your listing to set you apart from the competition and help to create a more responsible public image for our industry.”
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