Florida, a long-standing haven for vacationers, retirees and those putting down roots, is facing a pressing issue – a surge in short-term rentals (STRs), fueled by platforms like Airbnb. This trend is causing significant problems for residents, overshadowing the benefits.
While short-term rentals are crucial for Florida’s tourism industry, supporting community development, the well-being of permanent residents should not be sacrificed for their survival.
Urgent action is needed to regulate rental platforms and strike a vital balance that prioritizes both the interests of tourists and the concerns of local communities.
SB 280 / HB 1537 are making their way through the state legislature. Let your voice be heard on the bills and why oversight and accountability of STRs is so important to the security and integrity of your community!
We’ve actively participated in Florida’s legislative landscape, focusing on bills in recent years. Currently, SB 280 / HB 1537 are under consideration in the state legislature.
These bills propose establishing a statewide Vacation Rental Information System (VRIS) for rental platforms and local governments to monitor and identify problematic properties.
Additionally, it introduces a unique property identifier and permits local governments to impose annual inspection fees.
It’s crucial for state lawmakers to continue improving SB 280 / HB 1537 to safeguard residential neighborhoods from illegal hotel influx. Communities require effective tools to preserve residents’ quality of life. Striking a balance is paramount, ensuring comprehensive legislation regulates legal vacation rentals, addresses unlawful operators and empowers localities with oversight tools to safeguard our neighborhoods. Your ongoing efforts to improve this legislation are essential.
The Alliance for Stronger Communities (ASC) underscores the urgent need for legislative solutions to address unregulated short-term rentals in Florida following a recent report by Florida TaxWatch. The report highlights the impact of unregulated short-term rentals throughout Florida, particularly as it relates to state revenue lost due to unlicensed properties not adhering to state tax laws.
“The report, which scrutinizes the impact of these rentals on the state’s economy, found an estimated 25,457 unlicensed properties active on any given day in November 2023. According to the organization, licensed properties often bypass the legal requirements of licensed operations, such as safety standards, registration fees, and tax obligations.”
“Florida TaxWatch estimates unlicensed vacation rental activity based on a single day in November 2023 could cost Florida between $1.8 million and $6.9 million in registration costs; between $1.2 and $5.5 million in recurring licensing fees; up to $32,000 in local option transient taxes; and up to $21.3 million in property taxes due to fraudulent homestead exemption claims.”
Florida TaxWatch – an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog working to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government – estimated that millions of dollars in state revenue are being lost due to unlicensed short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. When examining rental listings for November 2023, they found an estimated minimum of 49,280 unlicensed vacation rentals in the state – which is 28 percent of all available listings for that month. In the report, Florida TaxWatch stated that “in the absence of transparency and accountability, unlicensed vacation rentals may avoid taxes or fail to adhere to safety standards in place to protect renters and neighbors.”
In Orlando, 65% of Airbnbs are now commercially operated – up 71% since 2021 – taking 11,471 homes off the market.
In Tampa, 62% of Airbnbs are now commercially operated – up 84% since 2021 – taking 6,068 homes off the market.
In Miami, 60% of Airbnbs are now commercially operated – up 93% since 2021 – taking 15,283 homes off the market.
In Panama City Beach, 79% of Airbnbs are now commercially operated – up 68% since 2021 – taking 14,450 homes off the market.
Florida Senate Bill Could Limit Local Regulations On Short-Term Rentals
Family Sues Airbnb After 19-Month-Old Dies Of Fentanyl Toxicity During Stay In Florida Rental
Official Ready To Investigate ‘Airbnb Phenomenon’ Plaguing The Villages
Learn more about the problems facing your community and others across the country.
Important information and resources to help you make a lasting impact on your community.
Contact your local lawmakers and speak up to protect your home and neighborhood.
