Survey: Most South Carolina Voters Concerned about Negative Short-Term Rental Impact

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Franklin Coley; [email protected]

Survey: Most SC Voters Concerned about Negative Short-Term Rental Impact

South Carolina legislature considering bill that would cause rentals to spread 

Columbia, S.C. (March 30, 2023) – A majority of South Carolina residents are concerned about the negative impact of short-term rentals in their communities, according to a new survey conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the Alliance for Stronger Communities.

The survey results come as South Carolina state legislators are considering HB 3253, a bill that would ban almost all local oversight of short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs, and lead to the spread of short-term rental units in neighborhoods throughout the state. Even more concerning is a recent amendment passed in the House budget that would further inhibit local government’s ability to provide oversight and regulatory measures on short-term rental platforms. The budget process in the Senate will commence in the coming week with the amendment included for consideration.

A large majority of South Carolina voters – 77% – believe it is important for local officials to actively monitor short-term rental properties to deter criminal activity in residential areas. 67% of South Carolina voters agree that the presence of commercial short-term rental properties in residential communities raises concerns about neighborhood safety.

A majority of voters – 72% – think that active oversight is important to ensure short-term rental owners and companies pay their fair share of taxes. 73% of voters also agree that lawmakers should prioritize the interests of homeowners and renters in residential areas above those of out-of-state commercial short-term rental investors.

“A large majority of South Carolina voters believe short-term rentals like Airbnbs need to be monitored by local officials to deter criminal activity. Local leaders are best equipped to confront the safety risks posed by short-term rentals, but state legislators are considering harmful legislation that would strip neighborhoods of this important oversight tool,” said Alliance for Stronger Communities President Franklin Coley. “We know that when short-term rentals are allowed to operate with little to no local oversight, neighborhood disturbances, crime, and violence can arise. South Carolina residents deserve a safe, stable community – not a neighborhood that’s overrun with unregulated rentals that attract problems and risk safety and security.”

How Short-Term Rentals Are Impacting South Carolina Public Safety

Folly Beach residents argue whether or not to limit short term rentals

Crackdown on Lake Murray short-term rentals could be coming in Lexington County

Additional findings from the survey include:

• 64% of voters agree that residential areas should be inhabited by people who intend to live there for more than a few days.
• 57% agree that the presence of short-term rental properties in residential communities can lower the value of surrounding properties.
• 57% agree that the presence of short-term rental properties in residential communities would deter them from buying or renting in a certain neighborhood.
• 54% of South Carolina voters agree that the presence of short-term rental properties in residential communities is harmful to a neighborhood’s sense of community.

Morning Consult Survey Methodology: This poll was conducted between March 11-18, 2023, among a sample of 599 registered voters from South Carolina. Interviews were conducted online and weighted to approximate a sample of South Carolina RVs based on age, gender, education, and 2020 presidential vote choice. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

About Alliance for Stronger Communities

Alliance for Stronger Communities is a coalition of neighbors – including child safety advocates, former law enforcement officials, parenting voices and bloggers, civic leaders, housing experts, homeowner association presidents and academics – coming together to form a collective voice to address issues impacting neighborhoods across the country.

###