Mass. lawmaker wants to make it harder, safer to rent your room on the Internet
The bill would require rental properties to be registered and regulated.
A state lawmaker has proposed legislation that could subject short-term rental properties from companies like Airbnb to taxes and regulations.
Short-term rental units would have to be registered in a database and would be subject to city and state regulations. These units would also be subjected to inspections and fees.
Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), chair of the House Financial Services Committee, introduced his bill, “An Act regulating short-term residential rentals’’ to the Revenue Committee on Tuesday.
“While we want the innovative economy to prosper in the Commonwealth, we also want consumers to feel confident and safe when they are using these online portals,’’ Rep. Michlewitz told Boston.com in an email. “I think we struck the right balance with this legislation.’’
If passed, the bill (H.2618) would create a “Short-Term Residential Rental Registry,’’ a database of units available to rent that would be maintained by the Housing Department.
Online rental services like Airbnb allow residents to rent out private rooms or apartments for a short period of time. The service is popular because it allows users to experience a new city from the perspective of a local resident and is often cheaper than staying at a hotel.
Locally, the Boston City Council has debated how to regulate the “home-sharing’’ service.
Rep. RoseLee Vincent (D-Revere), the bill’s co-sponsor, said the proposed legislation is necessary to protect both tourists and the cities and towns where the units are based.
“Many of our urban communities have seen a surge in short-term rental units, which is alarming because there are currently no laws regulating such housing,’’ Rep. Vincent said in a statement emailed to Boston.com. “What this legislation seeks to do is to make short-term rental units safe and allow for the owners of the properties to be held accountable for any impact the rentals may have on the community.’’
If a property is found to be in violation of the standards set out in the proposed legislation, the owner or occupant of the short-term property could be subjected to civil penalties.
Vincent said the legislation works for visitors, property owners, and host communities.
“For the health and safety of our citizens who live in homes being rented for short-term purposes, for their neighbors and for the tourists themselves, it is important that we regulate such housing,’’ she said.
Airbnb said a number of their hosts attended a State House hearing on Tuesday to voice their concerns about the proposed legislation.
“Home sharing allows middle-class people to turn what is typically one of their greatest expenses – their housing – into a tool to help make ends meet. Most of our hosts are middle class people who share their homes to pay the bills,’’ said an Airbnb spokesperson. “We look forward to continuing the discussion with state leaders.’’
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