The city could pull in an estimated $800,000 in new taxes on short-term rental units by the end of June, aided in part by an agreement with Airbnb to help collect that money.
Airbnb
Posted inHousing & Development
East Bay Airbnb hosts offer free lodging to refugees
160 Bay Area residents are taking part in a new Airbnb program, unwittingly facilitated by Donald Trump, that helps people offer shelter to refugees.
Posted inCity, Housing & Development
Berkeley council votes to crack down on short-term rentals of multiple units by same owner
There are hundreds of rooms and units available to rent on Airbnb even though short-term rentals are currently illegal in Berkeley. Image: Airbnb Prompted by concern that too many units are being taken off Berkeley’s long-term housing market for short-term uses such as Airbnb, the City Council voted Thursday to penalize landlords who rent out multiple properties for less […]
Posted inOpinion
Op-ed: Council must adequately regulate short term rentals to protect Berkeley’s housing supply
Tonight the Berkeley City Council will vote on legalizing and regulating short-term rentals, defined as rentals which last for less than fourteen days. Currently, such rentals are illegal in Berkeley, though that hasn’t stopped multi-billion dollar companies such as Airbnb from ignoring the law. With Airbnb’s assistance, certain landlords around the state have been able […]
Posted inOpinion
Op-ed: Why Airbnb is so popular among Berkeley homeowners (A cautionary tale on renting space in your home).
Berkeley City Council is attempting to promote creation of long-term housing by reducing restrictions on “granny flats” and “accessory dwelling units” (ADU’s). The state of California similarly has Government Code Section 65583(c)(1). But something crucial is missing: social protection for homeowners. Operating an ADU or granny flat is socially quite different from owning an apartment […]
Posted inCity
Berkeley City Council OKs spare bedrooms, but not backyard cottages, for short-term rentals
The new rules also make it clear that owners of multi-unit apartment buildings cannot rent their apartments for less than 14 days.
Posted inCity
Berkeley council approves short-term rental proposal
The owners of this rent-controlled apartment complex at 3100 College Ave., as of May, are renting out three of its apartments on Airbnb. Berkeley law does not allow rentals shorter than 14 days. Photo: Melati Citrawireja The Berkeley City Council took a step forward Tuesday night in its effort to regulate short-term rentals in the city, […]
Posted inCity
Berkeley council meeting ends abruptly during testimony
More than 40 people lined up to discuss short term rentals at the June 9 Berkeley City Council meeting. Many did not get to testify because the meeting ended abruptly when council members could not agree to extend the meeting until midnight. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel The Berkeley City Council meeting ended abruptly Tuesday night after […]
Posted inOpinion
Op-ed: Home sharing in Berkeley is a vital income source that serves entire community
This coming Tuesday, June 9th, the Berkeley City Council plans to vote on a set of recommendations to regulate short term rentals, such as those facilitated through websites like Airbnb and VRBO. Following other municipalities, Berkeley’s current proposal seeks to limit short-term rentals in owner or renter occupied units as well as eliminate the ability […]
Posted inBusiness, City, Housing & Development
Short-term rentals are squeezing out Berkeley renters
The owners of this rent-controlled apartment complex at 3100 College Ave. are renting out three of its apartments on Airbnb. Berkeley law does not allow rentals shorter than 14 days. Photo: Melati Citrawireja This is the first story in a Berkeleyside series on housing. Read the second story on rental rate increases here. In late […]
