Latest news with #vacationRentals
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Controversial STR bill to be heard by Maui Council June 9
WAILUKU, Hawaii (KHON2) — The Maui County Council will have a public hearing on June 9 to discuss whether to phase out thousands of vacation rentals on the island. Mayor Richard Bissen introduced Bill 9 over a year ago, after the Lahaina fire pushed the housing crisis to the forefront. He is expected to make remarks at the hearing. E-bike bill on Governor Green's intent to veto list Maui's Housing and Land Use Committee Chair Tasha Kama recently made amendments to the bill including delaying the phase out until 2030, and exempting existing timeshare units. If passed without the chair's amendments, thousands of vacation rentals that have been operating under a grandfathered legal clause also called the Minatoya list, would not be allowed to operate anymore. The group Lahaina Strong has been waiting for this bill to pass ever since the fire and is asking for the community to submit testimony before Monday's Minatoya list was established in 2001 and includes Maui condo properties that were grandfathered for legal short-term rental use despite being zoned as apartments. 'The Minatoya list is very densely located in south and west Maui,' explained Lahaina Strong member Jordan Ruidas. 'We're talking about 6,000 rentals, they are in apartment-zoned areas but operating short term rentals under an exemption. So we're asking the Maui County Council to retract this exemption in hopes this will help bring more long term owners and long term renters.' She said residents are in dire need of housing. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news 'We've already lost so many people already, you can see the restaurants, the hotels, the shops, all needing workers but workers can't work if there's no housing. So we need to help fix this housing crisis first and I think it will help make the workforce be more steady,' she added. Multiple studies have been done regarding the controversial issue including tourism impacts. 'It would take Maui County 30 years to build its way out of this housing crisis, and that's not even taking into consideration the big water issues that we have, so this is a way to bring housing online quicker than build, build, build,' Ruidas added. People can testify in person, online or by phone. The hearing begins at 10 a.m. at the county building. The committee could choose to advance the bill, amend it, stall it or send to full council with recommendations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Travel Weekly
5 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Four islands, four approaches to Airbnb
Arnie Weissmann Of all the disrupters that have entered the travel industry so far in the 21st century, none has been as disruptive -- and ubiquitous -- as Airbnb. Hospitality companies that must adhere to strict local development guidelines and pay bed taxes have begged regulating jurisdictions to level the playing field by addressing unregulated vacation rentals. Communities that lost housing stock to Airbnb conversions have seen rents increase and the fabric of their neighborhoods thin. The residents of some cities blame the company for contributing to overtourism. Municipalities, even countries, have responded. This year Spain will implement regulations that include requiring that a permit be obtained before a property can become a vacation home. Oahu and New York have banned stays of less than 30 days. Amsterdam capped the number of nights a host can rent to 30 per year. Airbnb issues become more complicated for countries whose economies are tourism-dependent. This week was Caribbean Week, when tourism ministers and the heads of destination promotion bureaus descend on New York to raise awareness of their islands. In a series of back-to-back-to-back-to-back interviews with representatives of Caribbean islands, I found that they each looked at Airbnb's presence differently. Antigua and Barbuda was the most supportive of vacation rentals. "They are good for us," said the country's tourism minister, Max Fernandez. "We have seen a plethora of interest, and that means that a lot of people are getting involved in the industry. If you don't have people from all strata involved in tourism, especially in terms of ownership, then it's not sustainable, and sustainability is the key." To keep housing affordable as more properties convert to vacation rentals, Fernandez said the government is supporting a large-scale home-building initiative. "It's about creating a balance," he added. Airbnb serves another supportive role, Fernandez believes. "In economic downturns, the high-end is less likely to be affected. But at the same time, we believe that short-term rental properties like Airbnb can offer the kind of mix to make it balance out," he said. "That's the way we are looking at it." On Anguilla, vacation rentals are regulated for two reasons, tourism minister Cardigan Connor said. First, they are monitored to see if they meet required standards, and second, guest information is gathered to help keep track of where visitors are staying in case of a hurricane. "Anything that happens on the island is a responsibility of government," Connor said. "And as long as proprietors of the Airbnb properties understand that, then they know we're protecting each other as well as guests." St. Martin -- the French side of the island -- creates its balance by actively looking for unregistered vacation rentals but in some instances allowing them to operate in neighborhoods where they're not supposed to be. "We need 3,500 rooms," said St. Martin tourism minister Valerie Damaseau. "We see that there's a lot of purchasing of villas and vacation rental homes. They're listed [on Airbnb's platform] but are registered to us as their personal home. We know that some are not fully paying their taxes. "So we have several teams that visit these sites; they're just going to show up," she continued. "The situation exists, and we want to structure it. We don't want visitors who stay in these properties to say that they're not good, so we can assist the homeowner to make sure that the product is as renovated as possible and that it has the amenities that everyone is seeking." Many of the St. Martin vacation rentals are in areas where they're forbidden to be, but Damaseau is not shutting them down. "We're working on some text to try to regulate them," she said. "We need those rooms to bring [the island inventory] up to 3,500. We shut our eyes because those extra rooms have saved us over the years. We'll tighten the screws a little, but we need to find the right balance." "Villas are a tricky one," said Turks and Caicos tourism minister Zhavargo Jolly. "It's a catch-22. We're a high-end luxury destination, but we get six or seven people staying in a villa because it's less expensive than six or seven hotel rooms. But then they can't afford the amenities that generate the [per person] revenue we expect. And they complain about the affordability of the island." Paul Pennicook, CEO of Experience Turks & Caicos, added that it's one reason they are focusing on the travel trade, which doesn't typically attract the same clients as Airbnb. "Also, with the Airbnb scenario, we're not ever sure that everyone is paying their fair share of taxes. But I had a discussion with Airbnb and got a commitment that they were willing to collect taxes for us," he said. "But they're not prepared to give us the details about who they collected the taxes from; they'll just send a lump sum. My attitude is: just take the money."
CNET
16-05-2025
- CNET
I Travel and Test Home Security: Here Are My Top 9 Airbnb Safety Tips
From Memorial Day trips to fun summer getaways, vacation rentals like Airbnbs remain a popular way to visit a new place while still getting many of the benefits of a home (often with options to save compared to a hotel room). But entering an unfamiliar home also presents a few safety hazards. I'd rather you leave anxieties behind when you're on vacation, so I've gathered the best CNET tips for safety and tech security that work when you're on the way to a new vacation rental. Here are the red flags to watch for and what to keep in mind in nine important steps. Read more: 7 Tips to Spot Hidden Cameras in Your Airbnb 1. Early on, do extra research on your host Check in-depth reviews and host notes on any rental. Screenshot by Tyler Lacoma/CNET Airbnb basics include looking at your host's rating, but don't stop there. You can uncover a lot of useful info -- and potential Airbnb security red flags -- by digging a little deeper as you finalize plans and create your itinerary. Take time to read past reviews and see exactly what they talk about. Be wary if the reviews are all about the surrounding destination but don't talk about the rental itself much, which could mean there were issues they don't want to mention. Always pick hosts who have gone through the Airbnb process to verify their identity and give preference to "superhosts" with plenty of positive reviews. You can also learn a lot from the photos the host includes -- or doesn't include. Look for pics that show access points around the house, how easy it would be to break through windows or doors, and how clean and open the nearby landscaping is. That's what burglars watch for, too. Be wary if the photos don't show a lot of visual info about the rental, or if they don't show any security features that the listing mentions. This is also the perfect time to Google the surrounding area and see if it has any notable risks, from a wave of residential theft to a propensity for wildfires or flooding. 2. Tally any security cameras and where they are The wireless Ring Stick-Up Cam Pro sits perched on the corner of a home, keeping an eye on the exterior of the property. Amazon Airbnb has completely banned indoor security cameras. If you see any, that's an instant dealbreaker and you should request a refund as well as finding another spot. Outdoor security cameras are still allowed, but if you're renting you should know exactly where they are. Rental owners often use a combination of mounted security cameras and video doorbells to, at minimum, check when renters arrive and make sure they're showing up as expected. Find these cameras and make sure they aren't intrusive or pointed through windows to see into the rental's rooms. A single, minimally invasive video doorbell is the best case scenario. Important note: Always talk to hosts ahead of time about security cameras and any security systems that they use. Have the host explain where their cameras are and how they're used. This is a nice mini security briefing on its own. 3. Check the electronics and decide what you will (and won't) use Hosts may provide lots of electronics, but be careful what you rentals are outfitted with their own electronics, which can include computers, tablets, TVs, sound systems, Wi-Fi routers, smart thermostats and many other gadgets. Do a survey of these electronics when you arrive, especially if the host mentioned them in the listing. Decide early on if you'll use these electronics and how. Remember, hosts can often monitor device usage and may even be able to look through webcams. Many renters don't feel comfortable using included computers and stay on their own devices for safety. Devices like TVs are probably safe, although you should avoid plugging a rental's set-top boxes or TV sticks into your own screens. But other gadgets like rental-provided chargers? It's best to steer clear and plug your own chargers into wall outlets to avoid malware and other issues. 4. Arrange for your unique smart lock codes early Smart locks can provide codes, passes, biometric logins and more, but it's important to keep things organized. Lockly Smart locks are one of the most common devices in rentals, and come with lots of advantages for both you and the host. But that comes with a caveat: You need the passcodes or digital keys to use them properly. Ask the host for your digital codes before you arrive. Request the specifics of exactly how the codes work -- are they only viable for a certain period of time? What about certain times of day? Most importantly, have the codes been switched since the last renter? You'll want to guarantee your safety and freedom to leave the rental whenever you want. Hosts who are cagey about smart lock details, don't provide proper codes or digital passes, or want to restrict your movement to certain times of day are walking red flags. In these cases, you should find another place to stay if you can. 5. Run an amenities check before unpacking When you first arrive and air out the rental, this is an excellent chance to look for any obvious safety or amenity issues in your space. People have encountered everything from missing shower curtains and broken back doors to toilets that don't work. Some find an alarming absence of hot water or a very unexpected roach infestation. With big problems like these, it's important to say "nope" ASAP and make other arrangement rather than start unpacking before you realize. 6. Once you get inside, scan for hidden cameras Apps can help you take a closer look at your Airbnb, but we suggest using them with other methods. CNET We wish hidden Airbnb cameras were an urban myth, but it's an all-too-real trend happening all around the world. You can do a few brief checks for hidden cameras once you're indoors and ready to unpack. We have a complete guide on detecting hidden rental cams here. Most can be found simply by using the flashlight on your phone and scanning rooms in the dark, which tends to show reflective lenses and other telltale signs. Apps (like this one from Kupertino Labs) and gadgets can also help if you're particularly concerned. 7. Look for basics like smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and window locks Always check the included device list against what you actually find in the Airbnb. Screenshot by Tyler Lacoma/CNET With electronics and hidden cams accounted for, there's one more gadget run-through you need to make in new spaces like this. Check for smoke/carbon monoxide detectors in every room, and make sure there's an easily accessed fire extinguisher. Look for locks on the windows and any side doors, too. This is also an excellent time to find any home safes that the host may have included to store your valuables. It's your choice if you want to keep electronics, cash and so on here, but a properly managed safe with changing codes is usually one of the most protected places in a rental. However, you have to put a lot of trust in your host. 8. See if there's protected Wi-Fi Netgear's hotspot device may be a safer option than trusting every host's Wi-Fi. Netgear Wi-Fi is a common, even expected inclusion at Airbnbs, but it comes with its own set of risks. It's important that any Wi-Fi the host offers is on a separate guest network, uses WPA2 or 3 encryption and has a good password. Ideally, the host will change this password after every guest, too. Even then, the host still has a lot of control over what devices are connected and what they do. If you can't verify that the Wi-Fi network has the right protections, don't use it. Some prefer to use their own Wi-Fi hotspots or a VPN rather than risk the dangers that come with relying on a stranger's Wi-Fi. 9. Check for local maps or download your own Updates like iOS 18 make it easier than ever to download customizable maps for your plans. Jeff Carlson/CNET Some rental owners offer help to newcomers like providing local maps or guides so you can more easily find your way around and get a few recommendations. If no maps are provided, now is the ideal time to find a few local maps (street, trail, landmark) and download them to your phone or other device. You'll want a downloaded map that doesn't rely on Wi-Fi for safe navigation of the area. Now you're ready to settle in, head out and enjoy your stay. But don't stop reading quite yet -- we also have guides on stopping porch pirates, preventing break-ins whether you're at home or not, and a complete guide to home security questions and answers.
