Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: SHort Term Rentals

[Patti Lautner (lautnerp]

There was a thread on this topic a few years ago, one may want to search the 
archives for more insights.

It's important to consider the reasons why members want to participate hosting 
AIRBNB for example, or other short-term rentals. For JPCohousing (Boston) where 
affordability is a commonly held value, we understand that some members are 
greatly relieved financially by short-term rentals.

We have had discussions and put some boundaries around the practice including: 
no unescorted access to the common house and the host member (or host proxy, 
i.e. someone who also lives in the community) must be home to take 
responsibility for their 'guests'. There is a calendar maintained online where 
hosts are asked to list the names, duration, and any other interesting 
information about the renter.

I firmly believe that a 'no-short-term' rental policy is unfriendly to low 
income and/or fixed income members. In addition, speaking from personal 
experience as an occasional short-term rental host, I absolutely love hosting. 
The extra income has helped support my college age kids so that they can do 
semester abroad, or take a low pay internships while also paying their student 
loans. 

It's my experience that the community can effectively address the concerns 
instead of preventing the practice.

Patti 


> On May 18, 2017, at 9:56 AM, Sharon Villines <sharon [at] sharonvillines.com> 
> wrote:
> 
> 
> We don’t allow it — the bylaws say no "transient” rentals for the same 
> reasons Eris mentioned. “Transient” according to web searches is generally 
> interpreted to mean a month or less; some even six months.
> 
> A community can’t be a community and a hotel at the same time. Particularly 
> not a hot-bed hotel.
> 
> There is a good thread on this in the archives. 
> 
> Sharon
> ----
> Sharon Villines
> Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
> http://www.takomavillage.org
> 
> 
> 
> 
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