Part 3 of Airbnb versus Los Angeles: What are our options?

We are now at the last and final part of the Airbnb series.  As a recap, the City of Los Angeles is proposing the following:

• Limit the total number of days a host can book to 120 days a year. Currently a host can book year-round.
• It must be the primary residence of the host. This means no apartment complexes and no properties where the sole purpose is for bookings.

These talks from the City are coming out of issues that some people have.  This includes:

1. Los Angeles is in housing crisis mode. The City needs an estimated 600,000 rental units to keep up with demand.
2. Neighbors are complaining due to excessive partying, excess trash outside of trash cans attracting rodents, safety concerns, and upkeep in neighborhoods.

So, what are some of the solutions?  These are strictly my opinion and I am open to the conversation.  This took a lot of compromising on my part but here it goes:

• Condo bookings should be the decision of the condo community: No law should be put into place regarding vacation rentals unless the community votes for it.  Give them the power to decide how their community should be running.
• The hosts need to notify their neighbors in writing that the property is up for bookings. This way, if neighbors see people they don’t recognize, then they don’t have to jump to conclusions and assume the home is getting robbed.  In addition, Airbnb (and other services) can have a “file a complaint” section for each listing.  This would affect both the host AND the guests involved.  Although this part would need to get worked out, the concept remains.
• A percentage of major multifamily (5+ units) should stay for renters, not bookings. This goes against the belief that people should do whatever they want with their property.  However, with such a massive shortage, which is driving up rental costs, compromises must be made.  If an owner of an apartment building wants to stay in the Airbnb business, then they can sell off the building, and buy smaller units (such as duplexes or fourplexes).  What is now under discussion with the City is the entire building be prohibited from doing Airbnb.

Unfortunately, there must be compromise.  I will watch the results and keep you posted on what the political leaders of Los Angeles decide.