Idaho short-term rental bill runs counter to Trump’s housing policy | Opinion
President Donald Trump recently proclaimed that “we want homes for people, not for corporations.” He wants to “stop Wall Street from treating America’s neighborhoods like…
Join the Tennessee Chapter of Alliance for Stronger Communities
The Situation
Tennessee is home to the rolling Appalachian countryside as well as teeming suburbs and cities at the top of many vacation destination lists where you can peruse the music scene and enjoy the great outdoors. Tennessee is also home to proud, lifelong residents and has been a longstanding, attractive place to raise a family. As is seen in many other states, however, the proliferation of short-term rentals – fueled by platforms like Airbnb – threatens to disrupt Tennessee’s cherished communities.
It’s important that Tennessee leaders listen to the needs of their constituents who don’t want to see their communities overrun by a revolving door of strangers coming and going from short-term rentals – potentially bringing drugs, party houses and criminal activity to neighborhoods that have been built on stability and safety.
Legislative Initiatives
Residents need legislation in place to curb the proliferation of unregulated short-term rentals – but unfortunately, a new bill in the Tennessee General Assembly would make this situation worse.
HB 2281 would make it easier for developers to build more swaths of housing solely to make them into short-term rentals. Urgent action is needed to ensure that the General Assembly does not subsidize the construction of more properties that will inevitably lead to more challenges in peoples’ neighborhoods.
HB 2281 would provide incentives for the development and operation of more short-term rentals – essentially making it easier for developers to build more properties, more quickly and more cheaply for the sole purpose of renting them as short-term rentals.
Residents should not have to bear the burden of more short-term rentals coming to their backyards. State lawmakers need to strike the right balance and provide communities with the tools to combat bad actors. The Tennessee Chapter of the Alliance for Stronger Communities will continue to fight to protect communities from the consequences of these unregulated properties.
Short-Term Rental Hotspots in Tennessee (Source: AirDNA.co)
Sevierville: 7,960 Short-Term Rentaxls
In Sevierville, 79% of Airbnbs are now commercially operated – up 65% since 2020 – taking 7,960 homes off the market.
Gatlinburg: 4,622 Short-Term Rentals
In Gatlinburg, 81% of Airbnbs are now commercially operated – up 53% since 2020 – taking 4,622 homes off the market.
Pigeon Forge: 2,925 Short-Term Rentals
In Pigeon Forge, 83% of Airbnbs are now commercially operated – up 86% since 2020 – taking 2,925 homes off the market.
Memphis: 1,648 Short-Term Rentals
In Memphis, 62% of Airbnbs are now commercially operated – up 58% since 2021 – taking 1,648 homes off the market.
In The News
‘The Scariest Part’: Hendersonville City Leaders Say Illegal Short-Term Rental On The Rise
Baby Found Alone With Drugs, Loaded Gun Inside Nashville Short-Term Rental, Police Say
Man Caught Sleeping Between Children In Nashville Short-Term Rental Property
Sleeping Family Robbed At Short-Term Rental. What’s Nashville Doing To Protect Tourists?
Suspect In Short-Term Rental Party Murder Surrenders To Police
Neighbors Concerned With East Nashville Short Term Rental After Shooting At Halloween Party
Pigeon Forge Airbnb Party Leaves Property With $5,000 Worth Of Damages
Bachelorette Break-In: 12 Women Robbed In A Nashville Airbnb In 12 South
Knoxville Airbnb Shut Down After Warning Notices, Loud Party
Signal Mountain Residents React To Airbnb Gang Bust At Home On South Street
Birthday Party At Tennessee Short-Term Rental Becomes Homicide Scene
Metro Police Called To Short-Term Rental Dozens Of Times In 2022 For Theft
Nashville Tourists Scared After Man Attacked And Robbed At Downtown Airbnb
