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
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]