Home Sharing Bill of Rights

Home sharing—a.k.a. short-term rentals (STRs), vacation rentals, transient housing, AirBnB, VRBO, sharing economy—is when owners rent out part or all of a residential dwelling for fewer than 30 days. As a community, we should be able to come together with a shared understanding of the duties and responsibilities that come with home sharing.

  1. Neighbors of home-shares have a duty to respect the rights of owners and their guests. Neighbors do not have any duty to monitor or “police” them for compliance.
  2. Guests have a duty to comply with all terms of their lease and all applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations while respecting and protecting the rights of the neighbors and owners.
  3. Owners have a duty to protect the rights of tenants and neighbors; pay sales and lodging taxes same as a hotel; and comply with all laws and ordinances of their jurisdiction. They also are responsible for having sufficient and enforceable leases to ensure that their guests are held accountable to uphold their responsibilities.
  4. Governments have a duty to protect the rights of all citizens, owners and visitors.

Reserve Your Rights

Neighbors

Neighbors of home shares have rights to

  1. The peaceful enjoyment of their property, health, safety and welfare
  2. Be free from harassment, trespassing, invasion of privacy or unauthorized use of their personal information
  3. Expect that nearby STRs should impact them no more than an owner occupant or long-term tenant could
  4. Complain if their rights are being violated

Guests

Guests (tenants) of home shares have rights to

  1. The peaceful enjoyment of their STR, health, safety and welfare
  2. Be free from harassment, invasion of privacy or unauthorized use of their personal information
  3. Be treated fairly

Owners

Owners of home shares have rights to

  1. Lease their property for any length of time 
  2. Pay sales and lodging taxes at the same rates as hotels in the same jurisdiction for all leases up to 29 nights
  3. Still be considered a residential use with residential building, infrastructure and zoning requirements regardless of the term of their leases
  4. Enforce their leases with their tenants and get assistance from local law enforcement and courts when necessary
  5. Be free from harassment, invasion of privacy or unauthorized use of their personal information

Governments

Governments in areas with home sharing have the right to

  1. Enact laws and enforce them against tenants, owners or neighbors who infringe on the rights of others in the home sharing community