[vc_row row_height_percent=”70″ back_image=”11″ back_repeat=”no-repeat” back_attachment=”fixed” back_position=”right center” parallax=”yes” overlay_color=”color-jevc” overlay_alpha=”20″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ row_height_pixel=”500px”][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css_animation=”top-t-bottom”]

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In October 2017, Baltimore City Council Member Eric Costello and Council President Jack Young proposed a bill that would stifle the short term rental industry in the city.

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The bill was initially pulled back, but now is being introduced again at the February 5th City Council Meeting.

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Neither Baltimore Hosts nor the general public knows the exact content of this upcoming bill, but we do know what legislation was introduced in October 2017 and is on the books again for 2018.

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As AIRBNB hosts, short-term rental landlords, and fellow small business owners we strongly oppose this bill.

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The first draft bill proposed four major changes to Short-Term Residential Rentals (here-to-for referred to as STR).

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The proposed bill would restrict hosts by requiring:

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A licensing fee paid to the City of $100.

• A Host must register the dwelling unit with the City’s Department of Finance in order to receive the license.
• A Host must comply with applicable homeowner’s association, condominium documents, or rental lease.

 

9.5% occupancy tax collected by the website or AIRBNB.

• There has been discussion that this tax revenue could go to the hotel industry and/or AIRBNB.

 

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A maximum number of days of short term occupancy

• Hosting with a Host present (in-unit host) can be rented for an unlimited number of days in a calendar year.
• Hosting without Host present is limited to a maximum of 60 nights per calendar year.

 

Penalty of $500 fine and revocation of rental license for violations to the proposed law.

• AirBNB can fine a Host $1000 EACH TIME a Host is found to be in violation of the proposed law.

 

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A 60-night/year maximum rule would make it financially prohibitive to run a short term rental business in Baltimore. The three main supporters of the bill are the hotel industry, staffing unions, and affordable housing advocates.

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THE FACTS

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Hotels are doing better than ever:

Two new hotels are currently being built downtown by Radisson and Marriott. Occupancy rate average is 63.2% which is up 1.5% from 2015 and 2014 and better than the Baltimore region as a whole.

— May 2016 Baltimore Sun 

Short term rentals are good for direct competition with hotels:

“Airbnb has brought hotel pricing down in many places during holidays, conventions and other big events when room rates should be at their highest and the industry generates a significant portion of its profits.” Vijay Dandapani, chief executive of the Hotel Association of New York City, which works with the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

— NYT April 2017[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css_animation=”right-t-left”]

Short-term rentals bring people to the City:

Baltimore City population has declined and is currently about the same size as it was a century ago ( The average price for long-term rentals has decreased over the last 20 months from $1344/month (April 2016) to $1297/month (Nov 2017) according to Zillow.com. Bottom line is the prices of rentals are going down, along with the number of new residents moving to the city. Short term rentals bring people and revenue into the City.

— March 2017 Baltimore Sun

Short-term rentals bring an economic boost to the City:

Many short-term rental business owners rely on house-cleaners, security services, lawn maintenance, and many more employment opportunities. This means that operating a short-term rental increases hourly wage jobs in the City. Also, renters frequent City tourist events and spend money at local business which otherwise would be taken to surrounding counties. Money that is spent in and taxed by the City.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space empty_h=”3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”25″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ row_height_pixel=”500px”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”3″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css_animation=”bottom-t-top”]

Short-term rental hosts support safety & security.

Baltimore Hosts are motivated to provide a safe and secure experience for their guests and are publicly rated on the quality of their home. As an incentive to maintain good standing with neighbors, housing associations, and local business, we advocate for short-term rentals that are hosted by local hosts, who are residents of Baltimore City. We believe that local hosts have more care and instinct to protect guests and promote the city than an absentee landlord controlling properties from afar. When hosts meet and greet guests in person at the front door to a property, show them around the neighborhood, and act as an ambassador to Baltimore City, the guest has a greater, safer, and more memorable experience in our great city.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space empty_h=”3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”25″ back_color=”color-lxmt” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ row_height_pixel=”500px”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”3″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading]

WHAT IS NEXT?

[/vc_custom_heading][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]The proposed legislation will be introduced on Monday, January 22nd Baltimore City council meeting at 5pm. We need to be ready to respond to proponents’ arguments and our District representatives need to know that you DO NOT want them to support this bill. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE;
WE MUST ACT ASAP!

We are currently working on writing talking points and sample letters that can be sent to your City Council Representatives to show your support for our effort to defeat the upcoming bill as proposed. Stay tuned![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space empty_h=”3″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space empty_h=”3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”3″][vc_column_text]

Baltimore is a city worth exploring.
We invite the world to be our guest.

Let us be your host. 

Join us to learn more about Short-Term
Rentals in Baltimore City.

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