More and more travelers are booking stays in short-term rentals using platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo. That is driving more home owners and investors into trying to make money by renting out rooms and houses on a short-term basis, but, this is causing headaches in some parts of Arkansas.
Eureka Springs last year passed an ordinance to ban new “tourist lodging” in residential zones. The city had seen a large increase in short-term rentals in recent years, causing complaints from city residents who said visitors were disturbing them. Housing had become scarce as investors bought up homes and used them as short-term rentals.
While the city of Mountain Home has not seen a big boon of short-term rentals, they are increasing and city leaders have noticed according to Mountain Home Mayor Hillrey Adams.
Listen:
Adams says the city has several ideas they want to implement to make sure short-term rentals are on the same playing field with hotels and motels, especially with the collection of taxes, which includes the advertising and promotion tax paid by those who require overnight lodging in the city.
Listen:
The Mountain Home mayor says the city has other concerns they want to make sure they consider with any ordinances.
Listen:
Mayor Adams says he hopes to have some ordinances concerning short-term rentals to present to the city council in the next month or two.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI