If you own a rental property in the LA area, you’ve probably heard about the new Airbnb laws that were voted on last December. These laws take effect this month and are already starting to have an impact on the vacation rental industry in Los Angeles.
If you’re wondering how these laws will affect your rental property, here’s what you need to know.
1. Registration
The new ordinance states that renters can only host guests in their primary residence, not in a secondary rental property or vacation home. Hosts must register with the city for an $89 fee in order to rent out their home, and if you want to host for more than 120 days in a calendar year you’ll have to register for “extended home-sharing,” which comes with another $850 fee.
In order to qualify for the extended home-sharing option, you must be registered as a host with the city for at least six months or have rented your property for at least 60 days. That means if you regularly rent your property for long periods of time, you’ll have to wait anywhere from a few weeks to a few months before you can do it again.
2. Limitations
Before you go to register, you’ll need to make sure you can rent out the property you have. Rental properties cannot be any of the following:
- Rent-stabilized apartments, even if you own the property
- Apartments you are currently renting (without written permission from your landlord)
- Non-residential buildings, vehicles, or temporary structures, including tents, RVs, yurts, sheds, garages, or trailers
Many types of rental properties are excluded by this new ordinance, which is sure to ruffle some feathers among hosts.
3. Rules
Once your property has been properly registered, there are a few other rules you’ll need to follow.
First of all, you’ll need to pay lodging taxes to the city. You’ll also need to maintain the property, keep records of who you rent to along with details of their stay, and provide safety measures such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
You’re also responsible for making sure your guests know to respect noise ordinances by providing a list of rules regarding outdoor gatherings or loud music. Evening congregations of more than 8 people are prohibited, and there cannot be any “amplified sounds” after 10 pm.
These new rules will be enforced in a few ways, according to the city. For instance, if a neighbor reports any noise or “good neighbor” violations, you as the host can receive a citation or a fine.
Finally, if your rental property does not include a registration number in your listing, you will also be subject to disciplinary measures. Rental platforms like Airbnb are tasked with cracking down on listings without registration numbers.
While the new laws have received pushback from many rental companies, there’s no change in sight for this legislation. The best thing to do is to make sure you’re following the law and providing a safe, legal experience for your guests.
For more information, visit the Los Angeles City Planning website to read more about the current regulations.
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