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	<title>Short Term Rentals Archives - Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</title>
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	<link>https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/category/short-term-rentals/</link>
	<description>Identify, Enforce, and collect taxes from short term rentals</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 11 Nov 2022 17:33:20 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>AVENU ACQUIRES SHORT-TERM RENTAL COMPLIANCE PROVIDER LTAS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (HARMARI ®)</title>
		<link>https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/11/11/avenu-acquires-short-term-rental-compliance-provider-ltas-technologies-inc-harmari/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[harmariadmin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Nov 2022 17:33:20 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lodging Tax collection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Short Term Rentals]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/?p=7551</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Avenu acquires LTAS Technologies Inc. (Harmari) to combine the leading technologies of the short-term rental industry to provide a fully integrated platform for both citizens and government officials. Avenu Insights...</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/11/11/avenu-acquires-short-term-rental-compliance-provider-ltas-technologies-inc-harmari/">AVENU ACQUIRES SHORT-TERM RENTAL COMPLIANCE PROVIDER LTAS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (HARMARI ®)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-7552 alignright" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/avenu-harmari-merge.png" alt="" width="250" height="130" /></p>
<p>Avenu acquires LTAS Technologies Inc. (Harmari) to combine the leading technologies of the short-term rental industry to provide a fully integrated platform for both citizens and government officials.</p>
<p>Avenu Insights &amp; Analytics (Avenu), the global leader in revenue enhancement and administration solutions for state and local governments, today announced the acquisition of LTAS Technologies Inc. (Harmari), a leading provider of short-term rental identification, monitoring and compliance software and services</p>
<p>Avenu and Harmari share a long history of providing innovative public sector solutions that maximize revenue, optimize operations, fight fraud and non-compliance, and enhance the citizen experience. Both companies bring together a common mission to better connect governments with citizens through enhanced digital platforms and real-time communication.</p>
<p>Harmari’s industry leading monitoring and identification software and Avenu’s scalable administrative solutions will help maximize compliance, while streamlining the collection of short-term rental and transient tax revenue for governments. Together, Avenu and Harmari will provide an end-to-end monitoring and full-service compliance solution that improves the citizen experience while maintaining a budget-neutral approach for local leaders</p>
<p>The integration of Harmari’s monitoring and machine learning technology and Avenu’s full-service compliance, administration, and analytics brings together a fully integrated platform for both citizens and government officials. The result is a level of service that transforms the way in which local government can address the rapid growth associated with short term rentals that puts a heavy drain on staff, services and resources that are hard to scale for local officials.  This approach reduces the dependency burden on governments to piece together resource-intensive processes and technologies that result in an inefficient experience and loss of tax and permitting revenue for governments and the citizens they serve. <em> </em></p>
<p><em>“Keeping pace with the growth of short-term rentals, rapid changes in technology, and increased citizen expectations are challenges that many state and local governments are facing,” </em>shared Avenu CEO, Paul Colangelo. “<em>We are combining the industry’s leading technologies to create a better experience for citizen’s while providing a full-service compliance solution that gives governments a way to properly monitor and collect all short-term rental revenue.</em>”</p>
<p><em>“We are very pleased to join the Avenu family,” stated </em>Harmari CEO, Allen Atamer. “<em>We are continually innovating our technology to pivot to the needs of local governments and address the rapidly changing landscape. Harmari has a highly skilled team, and together, we will continue to deliver an industry leading GovTech platform that modernizes and streamlines this critical revenue stream and compliance objective for governments of all sizes, worldwide.”</em></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>About Avenu Insights &amp; Analytics</strong></p>
<p>Over 3,000 state and local governments have partnered with Avenu to drive positive results for their communities through software administration and revenue enhancement solutions. Avenu’s comprehensive software solutions digitally transform government by modernizing processes, providing online access to records, and reducing costs. Avenu also provides a robust ecosystem of revenue management services that identify and recover untapped revenue. State and local governments work closely with Avenu to increase revenue without raising taxes, streamline internal operations, and improve services by enhancing connectivity for constituents. Avenu is a portfolio company of <a href="http://www.millpoint.com/">Mill Point Capital</a>. To learn more, visit <a href="http://www.avenuinsights.com/">www.avenuinsights.com</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>About LTAS Technologies Inc. (Harmari)</strong></p>
<p>Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Toronto, LTAS Technologies Inc. is a SaaS provider of monitoring and compliance tools to over 300 government customers in the US, Canada and Spain at the federal, state, provincial and municipal level. Harmari’s technology focuses on providing deep insight and clarity to online short-term rental data that allows governments to understand and administer compliance such as registration, transient lodging tax payment, nuisance response and audit selection.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>About Mill Point Capital </strong></p>
<p>Mill Point Capital LLC is a private equity firm focused on control investments in lower-middle market companies across the business services, technology and industrials sectors in North America. Mill Point’s experienced team of investors and Executive Partners seek portfolio company value enhancement through rigorous implementation of transformative strategic initiatives and operational improvements. Mill Point is based in New York, NY. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.millpoint.com/">www.millpoint.com</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.prweb.com/releases/2022/11/prweb18999613.htm">Originally published on PR Web</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/11/11/avenu-acquires-short-term-rental-compliance-provider-ltas-technologies-inc-harmari/">AVENU ACQUIRES SHORT-TERM RENTAL COMPLIANCE PROVIDER LTAS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (HARMARI ®)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">7551</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Batch Short Term Rental Identification Tools</title>
		<link>https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/08/18/batch-short-term-rental-identification-tools/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[harmariadmin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Aug 2022 13:23:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Short Term Rentals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[address identification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[batch identification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[compliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[duplication]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[host]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[identify]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[license]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[permit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[registration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[short term rental]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/?p=7500</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Harmari STR trained research analyst are not only recruited directly and not crowd-sourced, they have an unfair advantage over our competitors: batch identification tools.  The basic principle of batch...</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/08/18/batch-short-term-rental-identification-tools/">Batch Short Term Rental Identification Tools</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Harmari STR <a href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2019/06/06/how-our-research-analysts-are-making-a-difference-with-short-term-rentals-in-your-city/">trained research analyst</a> are not only recruited directly and not crowd-sourced, they have an <a href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2016/11/10/what-makes-us-better-at-short-term-rental-compliance/">unfair advantage over our competitors</a>: batch identification tools.  The basic principle of batch editing is that it allows us to go through individual advertisements much faster.  For example, in some jurisdictions, up to 50% of the listings are duplicated; not only within platform but between platform.   Anything not caught by our patent-pending automated de-duplication algorithm will automatically have a secondary review by human analysts who will categorize duplicates in the following manner:</p>
<ol>
<li>Listings that are renting out the exact same house/condo</li>
<li>Listings renting out different bedrooms in the same house/condo, or an auxiliary dwelling unit (ADU) on the same property</li>
<li>Listings renting out different condo units in the same building</li>
</ol>
<p>Further to the de-duplication, batch editing helps efficiently group the following:</p>
<ol>
<li>Out of jurisdiction based on municipal boundary or zoning code</li>
<li>Exempt from enforcement (due to minimum nights, or commercial zoning)</li>
<li>Obsolete identification (due to change of ownership of the property)</li>
<li>Presumed licensed (based on displayed number matching key indicators in customer&#8217;s registry)</li>
<li>Address Identified (for multiple condo units in the same building)</li>
</ol>
<p>Batch mode also includes Add Compliance notes to allow enforcement actions to be documented across multiple listings at the same time.  For example, if an STR host is reusing a registration number for multiple buildings and that is not allowed per ordinance, or if an STR host is pirating / copying the registration number of a legitimate STR host, the analyst shall batch mark those listings as &#8220;SUSPECT &#8211; NON-COMPLIANT&#8221; and focus more efforts to root out the culprit.</p>
<a href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/08/18/batch-short-term-rental-identification-tools/#gallery-7500-1-slideshow">Click to view slideshow.</a>
<p>Comparison View is also another key feature that helps us efficiently and quickly identify listings that are in the same building or from the same property.  Through the use of our patent-pending AI, images are classified by their typical scene type, categorized to be indoor or outdoor, and then efficiently matched against other images.  Instead of hand picking left and right, it can match thousands or millions of other online images.</p>
<p>Why do these tools matter, if all you want is accurate identification?  These tools are also available to you, the customer.  We offer a training program, a Help Guide, tutorial videos and more!</p>
<p>Contact us to learn more about how our Batch Identification Tools can assist your Short Term Rental Compliance program.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/08/18/batch-short-term-rental-identification-tools/">Batch Short Term Rental Identification Tools</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">7500</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Announcing Harmari STR version 13.4</title>
		<link>https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/08/09/announcing-harmari-str-version-13-4/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[harmariadmin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Aug 2022 17:18:13 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Endgame]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Enforce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Establish]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lodging Tax collection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Release]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Short Term Rentals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[announcement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[evidence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[harmari str]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[screenshot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[short term rental compliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[update]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[violation]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/?p=7493</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>We are proud to announce a new release of Harmari STR 13.4. New features in this release include the following: Tax Filing and Remittance Reporting By Year and Quarter Drill...</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/08/09/announcing-harmari-str-version-13-4/">Announcing Harmari STR version 13.4</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter" data-autoplay="true" data-delay="3" data-effect="slide"><div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container"><ul class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper"><li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"><figure><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="555" alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-7494" data-id="7494" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tax-admin-quarterly-report-1024x555.gif" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tax-admin-quarterly-report-1024x555.gif 1024w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tax-admin-quarterly-report-300x163.gif 300w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tax-admin-quarterly-report-768x416.gif 768w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tax-admin-quarterly-report-1536x832.gif 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></li><li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"><figure><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="885" alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-7495" data-id="7495" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tipform-bilingual-1024x885.jpg" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tipform-bilingual-1024x885.jpg 1024w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tipform-bilingual-300x259.jpg 300w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tipform-bilingual-768x663.jpg 768w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tipform-bilingual.jpg 1087w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></li><li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"><figure><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="555" alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-7496" data-id="7496" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/drill-down-dashboard-1024x555.gif" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/drill-down-dashboard-1024x555.gif 1024w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/drill-down-dashboard-300x163.gif 300w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/drill-down-dashboard-768x416.gif 768w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/drill-down-dashboard-1536x832.gif 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></li><li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"><figure><img loading="lazy" width="919" height="597" alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-7497" data-id="7497" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tax-admin-quarterly-report.jpg" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tax-admin-quarterly-report.jpg 919w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tax-admin-quarterly-report-300x195.jpg 300w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tax-admin-quarterly-report-768x499.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 919px) 100vw, 919px" /></figure></li></ul><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a aria-label="Pause Slideshow" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause" role="button"></a><div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white"></div></div></div>


<div class="entry-content">
<p>We are proud to announce a new release of Harmari STR 13.4. New features in this release include the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Tax Filing and Remittance Reporting By Year and Quarter</li>
<li>Drill down reporting and statistics from the dashboard</li>
<li>Bilingual Online Nuisance Hotline and Tipform</li>
<li>One Click Mail Merge</li>
<li>Portal Knowledgebase and Documentation</li>
<li>Keyword Search Amenities within Listings</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/contact-us/">Contact us</a> today to learn more about Harmari STR.</p>
</div>


<p></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/08/09/announcing-harmari-str-version-13-4/">Announcing Harmari STR version 13.4</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">7493</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>State Legislation Roundup: Gains and Losses for STR Operators, and New Limits on Party Houses</title>
		<link>https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/04/26/state-legislation-roundup-gains-and-losses-for-str-operators-and-new-limits-on-party-houses/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[harmariadmin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Apr 2022 13:35:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Enforce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Legislation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lodging Tax collection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Short Term Rentals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[city]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[county]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[honolulu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legislation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[local laws]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[municipality]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[north carolina]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[philadelphia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pre-emption]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[short term rentals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/?p=7445</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The latest round of legislative changes across the country has brought about a dramatic curtailing of local municipal power in North Carolina, a new initiative to cut down on disruptive...</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/04/26/state-legislation-roundup-gains-and-losses-for-str-operators-and-new-limits-on-party-houses/">State Legislation Roundup: Gains and Losses for STR Operators, and New Limits on Party Houses</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The latest round of legislative changes across the country has brought about a dramatic curtailing of local municipal power in North Carolina, a new initiative to cut down on disruptive party houses in Philadelphia, and a proposed bill in Honolulu that would increase restrictions on STRs just two years after another bill supporting regulations was passed.</p>
<p><b>North Carolina: Two bills supporting STR operators</b></p>
<p>North Carolina further curbed the power of local governments with the passing of<a href="https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2021/h829"> House Bill 829</a>. The purpose of this new legislation was to clarify that the limits already imposed on local governments in regulating rental properties were not limited only to regulation covering their building code or minimum housing code. The code restricts local governments in several ways, including the following:</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Permits are only required for ordinance violators, unless the STRs have had more than four violations in the past 12 months, or two or more violations in 30 days, or ranks in the top ten percent of properties that have “crime or disorder problems.” STR operators will have 21 days after receiving a written notice to correct violations.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Towns can’t require STR owners or operators to enroll or participate in any government program as a condition of obtaining a certificate of occupancy.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The only taxes that can be levied on STRs are those already in place against other commercial and residential properties, with some exceptions.</li>
</ul>
<p>One example of how the passing of Bill 829 will affect local governance is seen in<a href="https://www.corneliustoday.com/nc-poised-to-strike-down-short-term-rental-regulations/"> Cornelius, NC</a>. The town banned STRs in the early 2010s, but with high tourism demand and the passing of Bill 829, many interests in the town are advocating to have the ban lifted.</p>
<p><b>Philadelphia, PA: Stronger Laws to Prevent Party Houses</b></p>
<p>After numerous reports of damage, disruption and<a href="https://6abc.com/center-city-philadelphia-shooting-south-13th-street-philly-triple/10940065/"> violence</a> caused by party houses, the Philadelphia City Council passed a<a href="https://phila.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4789067&amp;GUID=1F3C1B17-2106-400A-AA15-4FB7AD140154&amp;Options=ID%7CText%7C&amp;Search=210081"> bill</a> that requires operators who rent out their properties through STR platforms to obtain short term rental licenses. The annual fee for a Limited Lodging Operator License is $150, and the initial license fee for a Limited Lodging and Hotels Booking Agent License is $7,000, with an annual renewal fee of $5,000. While there were a few complaints about the effect of the fee on small businesses, the<a href="https://www.inquirer.com/news/airbnb-regulations-philadelphia-party-houses-20220206.html"> overall response</a> to the bill has been positive.</p>
<p><b>Honolulu, HI, to Rogue Hotel Operators: “Pick a Lane”</b></p>
<p>Honolulu had already legislated<a href="https://www.civilbeat.org/2019/06/honolulu-council-approves-crackdown-on-vacation-rentals/"> strong STR controls</a> with the passing of<a href="http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-238205/BILL089(18)%2c%20CD2%20190607.pdf"> Bill 89</a> in 2019, which included an end to issuing any new permits for whole-house rentals in an effort to discourage illegal hotel operations, and<a href="http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-238204/BILL085(18)%2c%20CD2%20190607.pdf"> Bill 85</a>, which banned any STRs in residential areas, including single rooms in owner-occupied homes.</p>
<p>Now the City’s Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), in response to continuing quality of life concerns, is proposing<a href="https://hnldoc.ehawaii.gov/hnldoc/document-download?id=12380"> Bill 41</a> to continue to reduce STRs and “<a href="https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/11/honolulus-battle-against-short-term-rentals-begins-again/">try and restore some sanity</a> back into the residential neighborhoods.” The proposed bill is generating strong feelings, which have generated<a href="https://hnldoc.ehawaii.gov/hnldoc/document-download?id=12390"> 750 pages of written testimony</a> from residents on both sides of the debate. STR operators argue that the 2019 laws have not yet had a chance to make an impact. Many are also strongly opposed to the requirement that operators in condo-hotel buildings would have to hire the same management company used by the building instead of being free to choose their own. Advocates for the bill have been distressed by the impact the rentals have had, with one resident testifying, “As a homeowner, it has devastated my neighborhood, it has devastated the quality of my life.”</p>
<p>The proposed legislation would also put pressure on many buildings in Waikiki that operate as both hotels and apartments. DPP Director Dean Uchida says the agency is trying to force property owners to “pick a lane” and settle on one option, saying, “It’s like they said they were going to do one thing, and they used it for another.”</p>
<p>Other elements of the Bill would include:</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">A ban on renting property for less than 180 days (increased from the current 30-day limit), with some exceptions that include students, temporary health care workers and homeowners in transition.</li>
<li aria-level="1">A tax on transient vacation rentals, where the owner does not live onsite, at the hotel and resort tax rate.</li>
<li aria-level="1">A $5,000 application fee and a $2,500 annual renewal fee for all STR owners.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Renters limited to groups with no more than two adults per bedroom.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/join-now/">Learn More about Harmari</a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/04/26/state-legislation-roundup-gains-and-losses-for-str-operators-and-new-limits-on-party-houses/">State Legislation Roundup: Gains and Losses for STR Operators, and New Limits on Party Houses</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">7445</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Harmari STR is the leader in Ontario&#8217;s Short Term Rental Compliance</title>
		<link>https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/01/26/harmari-str-is-the-leader-in-ontarios-short-term-rental-compliance/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[harmariadmin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Jan 2022 16:34:24 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Endgame]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Enforce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Establish]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lodging Tax collection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Primary Residence Verification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Short Term Rentals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tax Discovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MAT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mississauga]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[North Bruce Peninsula]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ontario]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oshawa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ottawa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[short term rental]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[short term rental compliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Bruce Peninsula]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[toronto]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vacation rental]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/?p=7368</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Harmari STR announces six new Ontario municipalities to its rapidly growing list of clients who have used their services to bring unregulated short-term rentals (STRs) into compliance, recover lost lodging...</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/01/26/harmari-str-is-the-leader-in-ontarios-short-term-rental-compliance/">Harmari STR is the leader in Ontario&#8217;s Short Term Rental Compliance</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Harmari STR announces six new Ontario municipalities to its rapidly growing list of clients who have used their services to bring unregulated short-term rentals (STRs) into compliance, recover lost lodging tax revenue and preserve neighborhood character for their residents. The challenges faced in each municipality are different, and each requires a customized strategy to regulate STRs. Harmari STR is pleased to work with the following cities:</p>
<h1>City of Toronto</h1>
<p><b>Tourism Drives:</b> CN Tower, Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Center, Ed Mirvish Theater, Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Center, Toronto Zoo, Distillery District, Entertainment District, Eaton Centre Mall, High Park. <img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-7373 alignleft" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/conor-samuel-Onadzzr1yBU-unsplash-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/conor-samuel-Onadzzr1yBU-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/conor-samuel-Onadzzr1yBU-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/conor-samuel-Onadzzr1yBU-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/conor-samuel-Onadzzr1yBU-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/conor-samuel-Onadzzr1yBU-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/conor-samuel-Onadzzr1yBU-unsplash-450x300.jpg 450w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><b>Compliance Update:</b> Toronto made the news in 2019 and 2020 after gun violence occurred at STR party houses. To prevent other such incidents, eliminate ghost hotels, and reduce noise complaints, the City passed a Bylaw in 2019 that withstood an LPAT appeal in September 2020 that requires STR operators to register their properties and restricts them from listing any properties that are not also their primary residences. One advocate for the by-law<a href="https://toronto.citynews.ca/2020/08/25/toronto-introduces-new-rules-for-airbnb-other-short-term-rental-platforms/"> said</a>, “What this registration process does is that it weeds out all of the commercial operators that have over the last couple of years systematically eroded Toronto’s housing market and turned housing into ghost hotels.” He believed that this rule would eliminate ghost hotels in a matter of months, once the regulations begin to be enforced in January 2021. The City estimates that there were around 20,000 STRs in operation prior to the by-law, and now that has reduced down to around 5,000 STRs in operation after the bylaw came into full force in January 2021.</p>
<h1>City of Mississauga</h1>
<p><b>Tourism Drives:</b> Rattray Marsh Conservation Area, Jack Darling Memorial Park, Port Credit, Square One Shopping Centre, a business-friendly municipality, Pearson International – Canada’s largest international airport.<img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-7372 alignright" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/franco-debartolo-PtfhoMcNCs0-unsplash-240x300.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="300" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/franco-debartolo-PtfhoMcNCs0-unsplash-240x300.jpg 240w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/franco-debartolo-PtfhoMcNCs0-unsplash-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/franco-debartolo-PtfhoMcNCs0-unsplash-768x960.jpg 768w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/franco-debartolo-PtfhoMcNCs0-unsplash-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/franco-debartolo-PtfhoMcNCs0-unsplash-1638x2048.jpg 1638w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/franco-debartolo-PtfhoMcNCs0-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" /></p>
<p><b>Compliance Update:</b> In January 2021, Mississauga enacted a bylaw with new business licensing requirements which state that STRs will only be allowed in a primary residence used as such for most of the year, and that the operator must list their City license number on all online advertising. Operators must be at least 18 years old, have government-issued identification and assign a contact person. Mississauga has over 2,000 short-term rentals and have begun enforcement and outreach efforts.</p>
<h1>Town of South Bruce Peninsula</h1>
<p><b>Tourism Drives:</b> Located between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, South Bruce Peninsula is known for fishing, hiking, and the Wiarton Willie Festival to celebrate Groundhog Day. Tourists frequently rent out cottages along the shore of Sauble Beach.<img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-7379 alignleft" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/20200623-saublebeach-300x200.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/20200623-saublebeach-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/20200623-saublebeach-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/20200623-saublebeach-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/20200623-saublebeach-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/20200623-saublebeach-450x300.jpeg 450w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/20200623-saublebeach.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><b>Compliance Update:</b> In response to increasing quality of life and nuisance complaints and absentee Short Term Accommodation (STA) operators, the Town began to license and regulate their STAs in January 2021.<a href="https://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/news/local-news/south-bruce-peninsula-to-licence-regulate-short-term-rentals-starting-jan-1"> According to Mayor Janice Jackson</a>, “We’re getting an increasing number of income property purchases where the owners are nowhere to be found, and when there are issues that are happening, nobody knows who to call or they don’t bother addressing issues that arise.” The Town estimates that they may have had over 1,000 STRs out of a residential population of around 8,400. The program will introduce a four per cent Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) on STAs, and will require complete, rigorous site plans, floor plans, proof of insurance, and updated contact information for owners and agents. The program will also require STA nuisance issues like noise, parking and trash to be handled promptly.  Harmari is providing STA monitoring, outreach, online mobile-friendly registration, and a 24/7 Nuisance hotline for the Town.</p>
<h1>Municipality of North Bruce Peninsula</h1>
<p><b>Tourism Drives:</b> Flowerpot Island, Big Tub and Cove Island Lighthouses, boat tours, SCUBA diving, and cottaging.<img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-7378 alignright" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tobias-negele-w_bqxBzYvDs-unsplash-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tobias-negele-w_bqxBzYvDs-unsplash-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tobias-negele-w_bqxBzYvDs-unsplash-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tobias-negele-w_bqxBzYvDs-unsplash-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tobias-negele-w_bqxBzYvDs-unsplash-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tobias-negele-w_bqxBzYvDs-unsplash-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tobias-negele-w_bqxBzYvDs-unsplash-320x240.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><b>Compliance Update:</b> The Municipality has around 600 STAs, many on beachfront properties similar to those in South Bruce Peninsula. Prior to the licensing regulations passed in 2021, STAs were technically illegal in the Municipality. Without any list of licensed operators, it was difficult to know who to contact regarding nuisance complaints, with some residents<a href="https://brucepeninsulapress.com/2019/08/29/short-term-accommodation-public-meetings-hear-wide-range-of-views/"> commenting</a> that they “can’t work it out every weekend with a new set of neighbours.” Now operators are required to provide contact information, adhere to safety guidelines, and risk losing their licenses for failure to comply with terms. Harmari is providing North Bruce Peninsula with STA monitoring, outreach, a 24/7 Nuisance Hotline, and MAT collection services for the Municipality.</p>
<h1>City of Oshawa</h1>
<p><b>Tourism Drives:</b> Vibrant downtown area with shops, dining and entertainment, sports and other events at the Tribute Communities Centre, Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens, Pumphouse Marsh Wildlife Reserve.<img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-7377 alignleft" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/jeremy-hynes-BIEdkm0Wkug-unsplash-286x300.jpg" alt="" width="286" height="300" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/jeremy-hynes-BIEdkm0Wkug-unsplash-286x300.jpg 286w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/jeremy-hynes-BIEdkm0Wkug-unsplash-976x1024.jpg 976w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/jeremy-hynes-BIEdkm0Wkug-unsplash-768x806.jpg 768w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/jeremy-hynes-BIEdkm0Wkug-unsplash-1463x1536.jpg 1463w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/jeremy-hynes-BIEdkm0Wkug-unsplash-1951x2048.jpg 1951w" sizes="(max-width: 286px) 100vw, 286px" /></p>
<p><b>Compliance Update:</b> Short-term rentals in Oshawa have<a href="http://oshawaexpress.ca/short-term-rental-licensing-system-gets-mixed-reviews/"> increased</a> rapidly, growing from 31 in May 2016 to 113 in July 2018. Complaints about party houses also went up, with reports of the parties continuing even after the police had visited and left. After nuisance reports and complaints from renters about absent hosts, the city launched a new business licensing program in 2020. Now STR operators can rent out only their principal residences, for no more than 28 days in a row, and for no more than 180 total days per year. Operators will need to provide a 24-hour contact who can respond within one hour in case of emergency, buy proper insurance, and limit renters to two people per room and two rooms per property. They will also have to display a visitor’s code that outlines the local by-laws to guests. The licensing fee is $75.</p>
<h1>City of Ottawa</h1>
<p><b>Tourism Drives:</b> Parliament Hill, Byward Market, water activities on the Ottawa River, the Canadian Tulip Festival, water sports and ice skating on the Rideau Canal.<img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-7374 alignright" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/benoit-debaix-ReUoz0CwfGo-unsplash-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/benoit-debaix-ReUoz0CwfGo-unsplash-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/benoit-debaix-ReUoz0CwfGo-unsplash-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/benoit-debaix-ReUoz0CwfGo-unsplash-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/benoit-debaix-ReUoz0CwfGo-unsplash-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/benoit-debaix-ReUoz0CwfGo-unsplash-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/benoit-debaix-ReUoz0CwfGo-unsplash-320x240.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><b>Compliance Update:</b>  In order to combat party houses, “<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/condo-owner-violated-airbnb-ghost-hotel-1.5122219">ghost hotels</a>”, and disappearing housing stock, the city of Ottawa<a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/7817628/ottawa-airbnb-short-term-rental-rules/"> passed by-laws</a> in April 2021 that limits most operators to renting out only their primary residences, requires them to obtain permits, and subjects them to fines going up to $100,000 for violations. After three years the program will be revisited. There are nearly 3,000 STR listings advertised in the city.</p>
<p>Harmari STR developed a <a href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/">three-stage program</a> that meets the needs of city planners, whether they are just beginning to draft STR ordinances or are trying to track down unlicensed hotel operators. In addition to reducing quality of life complaints, clients who work with Harmari STR have seen a <a href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/white-paper/">280% return on investment</a> from increased tax revenue. <a href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/contact-us/">Contact us</a> to learn more about how Harmari STR can assist your Short Term Accommodation compliance program and MAT collection service.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/01/26/harmari-str-is-the-leader-in-ontarios-short-term-rental-compliance/">Harmari STR is the leader in Ontario&#8217;s Short Term Rental Compliance</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">7368</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>South Padre Island, Texas Establishes Short-Term Rental Compliance Program with Avenu &#8211; Harmari/LTAS</title>
		<link>https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/01/26/south-padre-island-texas-establishes-short-term-rental-compliance-program-with-ltas-technologies/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[harmariadmin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Jan 2022 16:32:33 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Endgame]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Enforce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Establish]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lodging Tax collection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Short Term Rentals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tax Discovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[avenu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[compliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[enforcement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lodging tax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[partnership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[short term rental compliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[south padre island]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TOT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vacation rental]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/?p=7382</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Harmari Is Deploying a Full-Service Short-Term Rental Compliance Program to help the City with growing tourism. Centreville, Virginia (January 29, 2022) LTAS Technologies Inc. (Harmari) is pleased to announce that...</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/01/26/south-padre-island-texas-establishes-short-term-rental-compliance-program-with-ltas-technologies/">South Padre Island, Texas Establishes Short-Term Rental Compliance Program with Avenu &#8211; Harmari/LTAS</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Harmari Is Deploying a Full-Service Short-Term Rental Compliance Program to help the City with growing tourism.</p>
<p>Centreville, Virginia (January 29, 2022) LTAS Technologies Inc. (Harmari) is pleased to announce that through a partnership with Avenu Insights &amp; Analytics LLC, it will provide a Full-Service Short-Term Rental (STR) Compliance Program to the City of South Padre Island, TX. The Harmari Short-Term Rental (STR) solution provided by LTAS is the industry leader in providing a guaranteed accuracy of 95% for houses, 75% for condominiums and apartments, along with at least two supporting evidence screenshots.</p>
<p>“We are very excited to be working with an experienced partner that will enable us to provide full-service administration, compliance, and discovery of the entire short-term rental community within South Padre Island. There are over 6,500 STR listings advertised online across 80+ sites, and yet only 2,500 business licenses have been registered, creating a large gap in short-term rental compliance for the City,” shared Allen Atamer, CEO, Founder and Principal Engineer for Harmari STR.</p>
<p>The program is designed to also facilitate short-term rental business license renewals through Avenu’s public-facing, secure and mobile-ready registration portal. The full-service system provides a single login and payment platform that will enable City residents to pay for all required licenses and fees as well as a help desk center staffed with tax experts to answer any questions by phone or email.</p>
<p>“As the STR market continues to evolve and grow, it has raised ever increasing challenges that impact economic development, property rights, taxation, and revenue collection for local governments,” stated Avenu CEO, Paul Colangelo. “We are proud to help support South Padre Island as they strike a healthy balance between hospitality, community, and compliance with local taxation.”</p>
<p>About Avenu Insights &amp; Analytics</p>
<p>Over 2,600 state and local governments have partnered with Avenu to drive positive results for their communities through software administration and revenue enhancement solutions. Avenu’s comprehensive software solutions digitally transform government by modernizing processes, providing online access to records, and reducing costs. Avenu also provides a robust ecosystem of revenue management services that identify and recover untapped revenue. State and local governments work closely with Avenu to increase revenue without raising taxes, streamline internal operations, and improve services by enhancing connectivity for constituents. Avenu is a portfolio company of Mill Point Capital. To learn more, http://www.avenuinsights.com/</p>
<p>About LTAS Technologies Inc. (Hamari STR)</p>
<p>Founded in 2011, LTAS Technologies provides online investigation and compliance tools to over 300 customers including government agencies at the federal, state, provincial and municipal level. The Harmari Search product is used to help identify vehicle title fraud, odometer fraud and stolen property fenced online. The Harmari STR products are used by over 80 municipal governments to monitor, identify and bring into compliance over 150,000 short-term vacation rentals.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2022/01/26/south-padre-island-texas-establishes-short-term-rental-compliance-program-with-ltas-technologies/">South Padre Island, Texas Establishes Short-Term Rental Compliance Program with Avenu &#8211; Harmari/LTAS</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">7382</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Announcing Harmari STR version 12.9</title>
		<link>https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2021/11/17/announcing-harmari-str-version-12-9/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[harmariadmin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Nov 2021 00:14:58 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Endgame]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Enforce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Establish]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lodging Tax collection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New Release]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Short Term Rentals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[announcement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[evidence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[harmari str]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[screenshot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[short term rental compliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[update]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[violation]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/?p=7350</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>We are proud to announce a new release of Harmari STR 12.9. New features in this release include the following: Batch Insert Compliance Activities into STR listings Batch Identification of...</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2021/11/17/announcing-harmari-str-version-12-9/">Announcing Harmari STR version 12.9</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter" data-autoplay="true" data-delay="3" data-effect="slide"><div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container"><ul class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper"><li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"><figure><img loading="lazy" width="897" height="763" alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-7351" data-id="7351" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/batch-add-compliance.jpg" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/batch-add-compliance.jpg 897w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/batch-add-compliance-300x255.jpg 300w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/batch-add-compliance-768x653.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 897px) 100vw, 897px" /></figure></li><li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"><figure><img loading="lazy" width="919" height="669" alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-7352" data-id="7352" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/batch-identify.jpg" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/batch-identify.jpg 919w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/batch-identify-300x218.jpg 300w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/batch-identify-768x559.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 919px) 100vw, 919px" /></figure></li><li class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide"><figure><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="158" alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-7355" data-id="7355" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/host-and-co-host-1-1024x158.png" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/host-and-co-host-1-1024x158.png 1024w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/host-and-co-host-1-300x46.png 300w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/host-and-co-host-1-768x119.png 768w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/host-and-co-host-1-1536x238.png 1536w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/host-and-co-host-1.png 1759w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></li></ul><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white" role="button"></a><a aria-label="Pause Slideshow" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause" role="button"></a><div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white"></div></div></div>


<div class="entry-content">
<p>We are proud to announce a new release of Harmari STR 12.9. New features in this release include the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Batch Insert Compliance Activities into STR listings</li>
<li>Batch Identification of STR listings from Visualizer</li>
<li>Timestamps printed directly below images in Case History</li>
<li>Filtering &#8220;Other&#8221; for websites other than AirBnB, Expedia, TripAdvisor, and Booking</li>
<li>Updated Help Guide (now 118 pages!)</li>
<li>Daily reconciliation reports for tax payments</li>
<li>Co-Host / Helper names displayed in Case History</li>
<li>Top Hosts have better pre-filtering</li>
<li>Create new STR listings to track independent websites</li>
<li>and much more!</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/contact-us/">Contact us</a> today to learn more about Harmari STR.</p>
</div>


<p></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2021/11/17/announcing-harmari-str-version-12-9/">Announcing Harmari STR version 12.9</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">7350</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Would Your City Allow 30 Percent of Residences to Be Short Term Rentals? In Michigan, You Can’t Say No.</title>
		<link>https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2021/11/16/would-your-city-allow-30-percent-of-residences-to-be-short-term-rentals-in-michigan-you-cant-say-no/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[harmariadmin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Nov 2021 23:51:36 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Endgame]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Enforce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Establish]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Legislation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Short Term Rentals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[california]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HB 4722]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legislation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Measure 21-203]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[michigan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[oregon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SB 555]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[short term rentals]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/?p=7347</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The legal struggles between city planners and STR (short term rental) operators play out across many states. The newest round of STR legislation passed in the U.S. shows a mixed...</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2021/11/16/would-your-city-allow-30-percent-of-residences-to-be-short-term-rentals-in-michigan-you-cant-say-no/">Would Your City Allow 30 Percent of Residences to Be Short Term Rentals? In Michigan, You Can’t Say No.</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The legal struggles between city planners and STR (short term rental) operators play out across many states. The newest round of STR legislation passed in the U.S. shows a mixed slate of successes and setbacks for municipalities trying to enforce sensible short-term rental ordinances within their own boundaries, with California enacting helpful legislation, Michigan restricting the right of municipalities to ban STRs, and one county in Oregon deciding to phase out short term rentals entirely.</p>
<p><b>Michigan<img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-7348 alignright" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Michigan-State-Capitol-bldg-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Michigan-State-Capitol-bldg-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Michigan-State-Capitol-bldg-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Michigan-State-Capitol-bldg-450x300.jpg 450w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Michigan-State-Capitol-bldg.jpg 825w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></b></p>
<p>If you are a local planner in Michigan who wants to ban STRs in your area, you are out of luck. The recently passed<a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2021-2022/billanalysis/House/pdf/2021-HLA-4722-374ECB7E.pdf"> HB 4722</a> deeply undercuts any efforts to set limits on the total number of STRs permitted in a given area. According to the law, any outright ban on STRs is not permitted, and while a local government can set a limit on the total number of STRs it has, that limit must “be not less than 30% of the number of existing residential units and as long as it applies without regard to the location of the dwelling units.”</p>
<p><a href="https://www.hollandsentinel.com/story/news/politics/government/2021/10/28/holland-officials-concerned-michigan-bill-rental-airbnb-vrbo-regulation/8571542002/">One analysis</a> notes that when the city of Holland, MI, started a pilot STR program in residential neighborhoods, city officials decided to limit the number of non-owner occupied units to 25, but under the new law the limit can be raised to 3,655. Because the limit can’t be based on the location of the units, this can also potentially result in STRs being clustered around a tourist attraction, such as a beach, creating a type of off-the-books hotel district.</p>
<p>The bill was supported by the advocacy group Michigan Realtors and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, and opposed by the Michigan Municipal League, Ottawa County, and other groups. Rep. Sarah Lightner, who introduced the bill,<a href="https://gophouse.org/posts/rep-lightner-issues-statement-on-short-term-rental-compromise"> said</a> that the “blanket bans” some communities had against STRs “completely disregard the private property rights of Michigan citizens”, and that the bipartisan-supported law would allow Michigan families to “invest confidently in a home without worrying whether they will unexpectedly lose the ability to rent that home if they choose.”</p>
<p>The law still allows municipalities the right to regulate STRs by enforcing nuisance ordinances (provided they are applied in the same way to non-STR residences), collecting taxes on the units, and restricting the number of units owned by the same person, group of persons or legal entity (with a minimum of two permitted).</p>
<p><b>Oregon</b></p>
<p>Voters in Lincoln County, Ore., have moved in the opposite direction of the state of Michigan by approving<a href="https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/clerk/election/november-2021-special-election"> Measure 21-203</a>, which will phase out STRs in the unincorporated residential parts of the county over five years, while immediately halting the issuance of new STR licenses. The measure would not affect vacation rental rules within incorporated cities.</p>
<p>A recent<a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/news/erry-2018/09/bbcfa1fe337190/vacation-rental-debate-takes-r.html"> overview</a> of the rapid growth of STRs on the Oregon coast reveals the gold-rush mentality it generated among property owners, including a case where homeowners used a shipping container in their yard as a vacation rental. In addition, even prior to the hiring difficulties caused by the pandemic, business owners were struggling to find employees primarily because there was not enough affordable housing for them in the area. “Short term rentals are a direct component of why we have housing shortages. The housing shortages are impacting our ability to have nurses, doctors, hygienists, teachers, other providers of service to come and live in our county,”<a href="https://www.kptv.com/news/proposal-to-phase-out-short-term-vacation-rentals-in-lincoln-county/article_d70183b8-2bc7-11ec-927f-a3ca6aece9f4.html"> said one resident</a>.</p>
<p>The county commissioners initially tried to<a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2021/11/oregon-coasts-lincoln-county-votes-to-restrict-vacation-rentals.html"> regulate</a> the STRs in their area, instituting a three-strike system that they hoped would remove bad players. The plan was not successful, in part because there was no upper limit set on the number of rental units in the county, and in part because they did not have a clear procedure for enforcement laid out in the ordinances. Opponents to the measure expressed concern about the loss of tourism revenue, while residents brought up quality of life complaints relating to noise, illegal parking and trash. Voter turnout on the measure was 44%, a very high rate for an off-year election.</p>
<p><b>California</b></p>
<p>After recently enacting a law requiring STR platforms to collect<a href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2021/08/18/california-wants-to-collect-transient-taxes-from-airbnb-and-other-short-term-rental-platforms-but-will-it-benefit-municipalities/"> transient occupancy taxes</a> (SB 555), California’s governor has approved<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB60"> SB 60</a>, which increases the amount a municipality can charge STRs for ordinance violations by ten times or more. Under the existing law, a city or county can charge fines for ordinance infractions up to the amounts of $100 for the first violation, $200 for a second violation within the same year of the first violation, and $500 for each additional violation within that same year. Under the new law, directed squarely at short term rentals, these penalty limits go up significantly for STRs that violate ordinances that pose “a threat to health and safety.” The new, higher caps on fees are set at $1,500, $3,000 and $5,000, respectively. The violations would be subject to the granting of hardship waivers.</p>
<p>Three months ahead of the state law, San Bernardino’s Board of Supervisors<a href="https://www.sbsun.com/2021/07/02/short-term-rentals-face-10-times-higher-fines-in-san-bernardino-county/"> voted in similar ten-fold fine increases</a>, except they applied only to STRs that were unregistered or had guests who violated code requirements. Not only does the law encourage operators to quickly become registered, but it also demonstrated the wide support that such fine increases had among residents and even including one large-scale STR operator who said, “We have a lot of staff and procedures to make sure guests understand the rules, so when other managers are problematic, it gives our people a black eye.”</p>
<p>While not all of the legislation was helpful to municipalities, there is a growing sentiment that unregulated STRs have a tremendous negative impact on the lives of long-term residents, and that a strong set of enforced ordinances can help keep income opportunities and quality of life issues in balance.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2021/11/16/would-your-city-allow-30-percent-of-residences-to-be-short-term-rentals-in-michigan-you-cant-say-no/">Would Your City Allow 30 Percent of Residences to Be Short Term Rentals? In Michigan, You Can’t Say No.</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">7347</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Harmari STR now covers over 80 short term rental websites</title>
		<link>https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2021/08/18/harmari-str-now-covers-over-80-short-term-rental-websites/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[harmariadmin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Aug 2021 13:58:02 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Endgame]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Enforce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Establish]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Short Term Rentals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tax Discovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[airbnb]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ban short term rentals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[booking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[exclusive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[expedia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[platforms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tripadvisor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[websites]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/?p=7285</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>To better serve our government customers to achieve 100% compliance, Harmari STR now crawls over 80 short term rental websites, which is 33% more than our closest competitor.  It&#8217;s true...</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2021/08/18/harmari-str-now-covers-over-80-short-term-rental-websites/">Harmari STR now covers over 80 short term rental websites</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>To better serve our government customers to achieve 100% compliance, Harmari STR now crawls <strong>over 80 short term rental websites</strong>, which is 33% more than our closest competitor.  It&#8217;s true that most of the short term rentals advertised online today are either aggregating or affiliates of the &#8220;Big 4&#8221; main platforms; AirBnB, Expedia, TripAdvisor, and Booking.  However, Harmari STR takes a holistic view of the online marketplace specific to your town, city or county.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/graph-of-websites-covered-with-harmari-at-the-top.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-7287 size-medium" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/graph-of-websites-covered-with-harmari-at-the-top-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/graph-of-websites-covered-with-harmari-at-the-top-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/graph-of-websites-covered-with-harmari-at-the-top-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/graph-of-websites-covered-with-harmari-at-the-top-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/graph-of-websites-covered-with-harmari-at-the-top-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/graph-of-websites-covered-with-harmari-at-the-top-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/graph-of-websites-covered-with-harmari-at-the-top-230x230.jpg 230w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/graph-of-websites-covered-with-harmari-at-the-top-330x330.jpg 330w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/graph-of-websites-covered-with-harmari-at-the-top-65x65.jpg 65w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/graph-of-websites-covered-with-harmari-at-the-top.jpg 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></p>
<p>After crawling these websites, Harmari has found other websites that make up the &#8220;long tail&#8221; of short term rental organic, and locally popular inventory operated by local property management companies.   It takes a bit more experience, a bit more effort, but Harmari is able to dig deeper to find organic, local inventory.</p>
<p>One particular trend we have noticed is that major property management companies follow certain techniques to eventually &#8220;wean off&#8221; the main platforms.  The process is as follows (1) the property manager lists a new property on one of the Big 4 STR platforms (2) gathers a following on that property and collecting contact information for guest stays (3) after a steady revenue is obtained, it is de-listed from the Big 4 and finds its way on the property manager&#8217;s &#8220;book direct&#8221; website as an &#8220;exclusive&#8221; property not available elsewhere.  Also, many high profile short term rental hosts have expressed their frustration with <a href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2020/05/13/short-term-rentals-returning-to-a-new-normal-during-and-after-the-coronavirus/">AirBnB due to its handling of pandemic restrictions</a>, and have gone out to setup their own book direct websites.</p>
<p>Another important factor is Foreign-Language websites.  Many of our competitors crawl through English language websites, but many foreign property owners and hosts will list on French, Spanish, German, Asian or UK websites.  Harmari&#8217;s trained staff and analysts speak over 10 different languages, giving you extra reassurance that every Dollar, Euro, Pound or Yuan of Lodging Tax due to your city or county is being collected.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/avoid-aggregators-seek-exclusive.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-7289 size-medium" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/avoid-aggregators-seek-exclusive-300x163.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="163" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/avoid-aggregators-seek-exclusive-300x163.jpg 300w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/avoid-aggregators-seek-exclusive-1024x555.jpg 1024w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/avoid-aggregators-seek-exclusive-768x416.jpg 768w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/avoid-aggregators-seek-exclusive.jpg 1207w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></p>
<p>Below is an example inventory of a major tourist destination in the Southern United States, which shows that the market share is more segmented than originally perceived.  Over 15% of the total inventory found by our experienced team was not found on the 80+ websites, but on locally popular property management websites.  Of course, Harmari STR does a full assessment that our competitors may not go through.<a href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Example-Short-Term-Rental-listings-by-platform.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-7286 size-large" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Example-Short-Term-Rental-listings-by-platform-1024x315.jpg" alt="" width="710" height="218" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Example-Short-Term-Rental-listings-by-platform-1024x315.jpg 1024w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Example-Short-Term-Rental-listings-by-platform-300x92.jpg 300w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Example-Short-Term-Rental-listings-by-platform-768x236.jpg 768w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Example-Short-Term-Rental-listings-by-platform.jpg 1364w" sizes="(max-width: 710px) 100vw, 710px" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/join-now/">Contact us</a> today to get a better idea where new short term rental inventory may lie in your municipality.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2021/08/18/harmari-str-now-covers-over-80-short-term-rental-websites/">Harmari STR now covers over 80 short term rental websites</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">7285</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>California Wants to Collect Transient Taxes from Airbnb and other Short Term Rental Platforms, But Will It Benefit Municipalities?</title>
		<link>https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2021/08/18/california-wants-to-collect-transient-taxes-from-airbnb-and-other-short-term-rental-platforms-but-will-it-benefit-municipalities/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[harmariadmin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Aug 2021 12:06:55 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Enforce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lodging Tax collection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Short Term Rentals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[airbnb]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ban short term rentals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[booking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[exclusive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[expedia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[platforms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SB555]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tripadvisor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[websites]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/?p=7282</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>California is on track to create a statewide program that will collect transient occupancy taxes (TOT) from short-term rental (STR) platforms directly and then redistribute the funds back to participating...</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2021/08/18/california-wants-to-collect-transient-taxes-from-airbnb-and-other-short-term-rental-platforms-but-will-it-benefit-municipalities/">California Wants to Collect Transient Taxes from Airbnb and other Short Term Rental Platforms, But Will It Benefit Municipalities?</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-7283 alignleft" src="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ca-legislature-300x243.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="243" srcset="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ca-legislature-300x243.jpg 300w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ca-legislature-1024x828.jpg 1024w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ca-legislature-768x621.jpg 768w, https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ca-legislature.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />California is on track to create a statewide program that will collect transient occupancy taxes (TOT) from short-term rental (STR) platforms directly and then redistribute the funds back to participating municipalities. The bill (<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB555">SB 555</a>), introduced by State Senator Mike McGuire, would be administered by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, and local municipalities could choose whether or not they want to opt in. The bill<a href="https://www.northcoastjournal.com/NewsBlog/archives/2021/04/05/mcguire-looks-to-create-statewide-tot-collection-system-for-untapped-revenue"> already passed</a> the Senate Governance and Finance Committee in a unanimous vote.<a href="https://www.marinij.com/2021/04/18/marins-state-senator-aims-to-boost-tax-yield-on-short-term-rentals/"> According</a> to McGuire, “Hundreds of cities and counties don’t collect bed taxes from short-term vacation rentals, and this is a simple statewide solution.”</p>
<p>City planners who are deciding whether or not to opt into the program face two big challenges: not only do they need to be clear on their own specific circumstances, but they also have to make their choice without yet knowing the final administrative cost of the program.</p>
<p><b>What the New Plan is Offering</b></p>
<p>Transient Occupancy Taxes are local taxes that are imposed on individuals who occupy a rental property for fewer than 31 consecutive days, and<a href="https://www.ashleypetersonlaw.com/transient-occupancy-taxes-really-pay-them/"> most cities</a> in California have ordinances in place that allow them to collect this tax. In other parts of the country, this tax may have different names such as bed tax, lodging tax, occupancy tax, room tax, and tourist tax.</p>
<p>California’s proposed plan will collect TOT directly from STR platforms in participating municipalities. The revenue will go into a Local Charges for Short-term Rentals Fund, and the money will be redistributed back quarterly.</p>
<p>Municipalities don’t need to join the program. If they do want to join, they are required to first enact an ordinance permitting it. Once in the program, TOT revenue can be collected <i>only</i> by the State. Participating local agencies will be listed on the State’s website, along with their rates and specifics terms of their agreements.</p>
<p><b>Some Alternatives to the Plan</b></p>
<p>As a result of agreements negotiated with local city planners, Airbnb already collects and remits TOT in<a href="https://www.marinij.com/2021/04/18/marins-state-senator-aims-to-boost-tax-yield-on-short-term-rentals/"> over 70</a> California jurisdictions. In Marin County alone, its voluntary collection agreement with Airbnb brought in more than $427,000 in additional TOT revenue in the 2017-2018 year, and more than $1.3 million the year after that.  Sonoma County allows “Airbnb-exclusive” STRs to operate as long as they only allow booking through Airbnb and not direct, and not through any other intermediary, and as long as they obtain a permit through Permit Sonoma or operate in the Coastal Zone.  If a City or County does not have the clout or resources to negotiate directly with the STR platforms, they can instead create their own STR compliance program that addresses code compliance and quality of life issues as well as revenue collection.  For the region that does not have either option available to them, the proposed State plan could be an efficient way for them to reclaim lost revenue.</p>
<p><b>Who Is Going to Pay and What Will It Cost?</b></p>
<p>As Marin County finance director<a href="https://www.marinij.com/2021/04/18/marins-state-senator-aims-to-boost-tax-yield-on-short-term-rentals/"> Roy Given</a> points out, the bill states that the administrative costs of the program will be shared proportionately by the participants. There is no estimate yet of how much that will be, and Airbnb and other platforms will not bear any of the cost.</p>
<p>There is no way yet to know if the State of California will run an efficient, cost-conscious program or not, and the first municipalities that sign up will need to take that risk.</p>
<p><b>What is the Plan Not Providing?</b></p>
<p>One positive of the bill is that it seems to be a good way to collect from every STR listed on major platforms in a participating region. The negative is that the Cities will not have any access to information such as the host name or the STR address. The bill would “make it a misdemeanor for any … employee of the department … to disclose or make known in any manner information as to the amount of any local charges or any particulars, including the business affairs of a corporation, set forth or disclosed therein.” Individual towns would still have to do their own legwork to track down operators and units for <a href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2020/08/24/managing-the-dangers-of-corporate-owned-short-term-rentals-to-communities/">code compliance and quality-of-life issues</a>.</p>
<p><b>Potential Problems with Independent STR Hosts</b></p>
<p>The language of the bill specifies only the “short-term rental facilitator”, where facilitator means platforms like Airbnb, Expedia, TripAdvisor, and others.  Independent hosts will not be part of this program, and municipalities would still have to find those hosts and their “book direct” websites themselves. New problems might also arise if a host rents individually and on an STR platform. Any legitimate attempt by participating Cities to collect the portion of TOT that was generated off the platforms could be muddied by their involvement in the State program.</p>
<p>The definition of a short-term rental facilitator might also miss smaller groups that serve the same function but on a scale that puts them below the State’s radar.</p>
<p><b>Quality of Life Issues and Code Compliance</b></p>
<p>Once in the program, the City agrees that only the State can collect revenue from hosts using STR platforms. This may complicate matters if a City wants to audit a host for other legal reasons. The issue of allowing this right to the City should be clarified in the bill.</p>
<p>There does not seem to be any restrictions on a municipality’s right to enforce land use and code compliance ordinances.</p>
<p><b>How Does This Compare to Other States?</b></p>
<p>Whether a transient tax is collected by the State, a local municipality, or some combination<a href="https://www.avalara.com/mylodgetax/en/resources/state-lodging-tax-requirements.html"> varies by state</a>, but the responsibility for following the rules usually falls with the host. In response, many large markets have held STR platforms responsible for their hosts’ compliance as a condition of operating in their region. California’s new bill seems to be a new initiative of a state-wide arrangement with STR platforms.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/join-now/">Contact us</a> to learn more about how we can assist with TOT and Lodging Tax Compliance.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr/2021/08/18/california-wants-to-collect-transient-taxes-from-airbnb-and-other-short-term-rental-platforms-but-will-it-benefit-municipalities/">California Wants to Collect Transient Taxes from Airbnb and other Short Term Rental Platforms, But Will It Benefit Municipalities?</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.harmari.com/harmaristr">Harmari Short Term Rental Compliance</a>.</p>
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