Is your Margate, Atlantic City or Brigantine home right next to a busy AirBnB rental? A growing number of homeowners are increasingly saying YES….and some don’t like it one bit, especially where safety, civility and financial fairness are concerned.
How can the Jersey shore take advantage of short-term home rental websites like AirBnB?
Under a proposed bill being considered, any NJ homeowner offering short-term rentals with Airbnb, must register with their municipality, or face a stiff fine of $100 a day.
Some home-owners, especially in Brigantine, Atlantic City, Ventnor and Margate, are increasingly agitated by AirBnB rentals.
Investing their nest egg into a 2nd home along the Jersey shore, many thought they bought into a single-family zoned, seashore neighborhood. But if you have an AirBnB property close by, it’s like living next door to a busy commercial hotel or motel.
Many enjoy Internet-based conveniences like UBER for cab service and AirBnB for short-term home & apartment rentals. But, these digital tools can create unfair and potentially unsafe situations. Most common is that UBER & AirBnB are not bound by laws & regulations that traditional services must abide by.
LISTEN> AC Councilman Jesse Kurtz Talks Ups & Downs of AirBnB.
Brigantine Councilman Vince Sera is taking heat from Atlantic County taxpayers.
Sera, who’s gunning for an assembly seat his November, is against stricter & safer AirBnB laws. Oddly, he’s opposing the updating of rental rules that would ensure public safety and financial fairness.
On Tuesday May 2, Brigantine Councilman Sera called into WOND Radio. The former lifeguard is fighting against a bill that encourages municipalities like Brigantine to monitor and enforce rental compliance. Sera says Brigantine doesn’t want to be financially burdened by hiring someone to check for these illegal, potentially unsafe, short-term rentals.
According to NJ1015.com, Joe Simonetta, a lobbyist for the New Jersey Hotel & Lodging Association, said the tourism industry supports home-sharing sites but that “the Uber of property rentals” needs regulation.
“People are renting these places for a night or two nights and then putting a party invite online. Next thing you know the neighborhood is inundated with a hundred, 150 cars,” Simonetta said.
Read More: NJ lawmakers take step toward taxing AirBnB and home-sharing rentals
AirBnB has been plagued by criticism and litigation from hotel groups, property owners, residents and governing bodies.
Brigantine & Margate home owners like the extra cash from selling directly to vacationers.
AirBnB seems trustworthy and safe, but there’s certainly a fair amount of risk when letting strangers into your house. This issue is not very good for the neighbors either.
AirBnB takes a 6-12% guest service fee PLUS a 3% host service fee for each transaction. But they still place most of the burden of complying with the law, with the homeowner.
Feedback from Ventnor’s John Battista: Owning a legal B&B in the area, we certainly see the value of Airbnb, and the benefits of offering more choice to more people. They are a great way to help fill peak season needs and to help some locals earn a few extra bucks. The negatives from our perspective, are a few.
First, unlike other OTA type booking sites, Airbnb does nothing to indicate or make aware the tax which should be paid on transient room rentals: 6.875% sales tax and 5% occupancy tax. This is something legally registered properties must pay and it gives an unfair advantage to Airbnb. It also is taking large amounts of tax dollars away from the state and marketing efforts for the hospitality industry.
Second are safety concerns. There are reasons why hotels and legal b&b’s must have properly working fire exits, lighting, alarms, and signage. For a homeowner who lives in their house, if there was an emergency they will know the property and were the exits are. For a visitor who does not know the property they will have problems with could lead to injury or death.
Lastly, towns have zoning and specific areas where this type of traffic is allowed. It gives neighbors a chance to know what they are in for if they buy in certain areas, or to voice concerns if a new business wants to open in a more traditional residential area.
So I am all for Airbnb succeeding and for homeowners to be able to rent extra rooms. Its good for everyone, but it should be done on an even and fair playing field and should take guest safety into account. Right now this is not the case.
The post Reduce Risks from Air BnB in Margate, Ventnor, Brigantine, Atlantic City appeared first on Margate, Ventnor & Downbeach BUZZ.