New Orleans council votes to limit Airbnb-style leases

Responding to residents who say short-term leases resembling these organized by Airbnb are driving up property taxes and steadily denigrating the character of historic neighborhoods, the New Orleans Metropolis Council voted Thursday to impose broad new restrictions on such leases.

The 7-Zero vote bans the short-term leases of complete homes not occupied by the house owners. It additionally places limits on the variety of short-term leases on business properties and bans all short-term leases in a lot of the historic French Quarter and the Backyard District.

The brand new restrictions have been months within the making and have been largely met with assist amongst those that spoke on the listening to. Applause broke out within the council chamber when the vote was taken.

Faculty professor Helen Regis mentioned her neighborhood close to in style leisure areas has been harmed by the proliferation of short-term leases. “I’ve misplaced loads of neighbors in the previous few years,” she advised council members previous to the vote.

However there have been opponents.

Eric Bay, a metropolis resident who manages short-term leases, mentioned the council was bowing to a “well-funded lodge foyer” and wrongfully taking away property rights.

“Whereas this vote offers a lot wanted regulatory certainty for house sharing in New Orleans, the foundations unfairly punish accountable short-term rental hosts who’re contributing to the native financial system,” Laura Spanjian, of Airbnb, mentioned in an emailed assertion.

And Expedia Group, mother or father firm of trip rental platforms Vrbo and HomeAway, issued a press release by which spokesman Philip Minardi referred to as the transfer “shortsighted.”

Additionally included within the package deal accepted Thursday are payment schedules and necessities that on-line platforms calculate and acquire taxes and costs.

The rules will nonetheless enable owners to hire out a part of their residences they occupy to short-term guests. An individual who owns a number of items on one property additionally may get short-term rental permits — if the particular person lives on the property.

The work is not finished. Council members and residents mentioned strategies of beefing up enforcement shall be wanted. Andreanecia Morris of the Larger New Orleans Housing Alliance mentioned she was involved that, absent sturdy enforcement, many traders in short-term rental property will ignore the restrictions. “They’re simply going to go underground and keep underground,” she mentioned.