By Darryl Dufay, editor of Voice of Canals
“Free enterprise” in Short-Term Rentals (STR) is alive and well and is moving quickly towards the degrading of the “quality of life” for many.

The big players Airbnb and VRBO and others have overwhelmed us and now another player has entered the scene – the real estate industry’s Multiple Listing Service. The listing does not say Short-Term rentals. The “code” for it is under Terms: Negotiable. Note: A list of a some STR companies is below.

At the other end of the spectrum “boutique” players are joining the race to wealth. Recently received focused advertisements from Vaca “Vacation Rental Management” for Venice and “onefinestay.” It is open season!

Where are we now and what can we expect? Not really clear. Our need is: NO short-term rentals of single-family homes by ABSENTEE owners.

1. STRs are currently illegal in R-1 single-family areas and R-2 zones. The Ordinance was not enforced.

2. STRs of rooms and/or guesthouse of owner occupied homes existed before and will continue to exist.

3. The “big” money is the rental of an entire home. Costs of $600 – 800 per night are common. Money goes to the companies, to the host, and to the City of Los Angeles with a 14% Transient Occupancy Tax “TOT” – the “bed tax.”

4. The “TOT” tax was recently levied by the City Council on R-1 and 2 property. Now some property owners believe they can claim a legal status because the City accepted the tax and that confers a “hotel” status on their property.

5. Noise, parties, loud music, raucous behavior, parking, etc. from STRs with absentee owners overwhelm the neighbors. In their total frustration to try to deal with renters that flow in and out of the community, their final recourse is the LAPD. The LAPD has the desire and responsibility to help, but not the resources. This is a burden that should not be made worse.

6. There is no enforcement now and every indication that this condition will probably not change because the situation is too immense. Having short-term rentals only for owner occupied homes can ameliorate this reality.

We encourage Councilmen Mike Bonin and Herb Wesson to continue to craft a Short-Term Rental Ordinance that protects the people of the neighborhoods while meeting the needs of those owners that have rooms and/or guest houses to rent in their homes.