Short-Term Rentals do more harm than good due to a lack of oversight across the board.

Short-term rentals (STR) are an emotional topic: Some people rely on them to help pay their rent or mortgage, exactly where the idea for Airbnb came from, but most short-term rentals, unfortunately, are 100% investment properties or vacation-investment homes, and too many do not follow local regulations, licensing requirements, and laws. Alongside that, their guests typically are not the most considerate or respectful to the neighbors and/or community. I have seen it all too many times over 26 years living in Summit County, Colorado, and working in STR property management.

My experience and background include founding and running a Sustainable Property Management, Housekeeping, and Home Remodel Business in Summit County. I went to school in Colorado for an Associate's in Resort and Hospitality Management. And I had my own Airbnb when my health took another downward turn, forcing me to close my business (described previously): My Airbnb was where I resided full-time; Not an investment property or second home. And, a glutton for punishment, I am working on a book about responsible, ethical, and sustainable short-term rentals.

Quite often, I catch myself thinking about the Airbnb founders (Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk); it seems they have forgotten why they started Airbnb: Supplemental rent money for college kids and even a little mortgage money assistance for 1st time homeowners. Don't get me wrong: Growth happens for successful businesses, and rightly so. But at what point do we lose morals and ethics? What dollar amount does the switch get flipped from a great idea, benefiting the founders, the individuals who need supplemental income, and their communities, to an unsustainable greed machine that now hurts people and communities? Fact: Airbnb is all grown up, and has turned into a bully that hurts (small) community (real estate markets) and housing supply.

Maybe if VRBO and Airbnb (among others) held their hosts accountable, things might not be so bad. E.g., Airbnb and VRBO need to make sure hosts are running legally, and that homes & properties are maintained for safety, sanitation, and for neighbors. Locals (communities) would not be so negatively impacted if there were oversight being performed. Like a surprise visit from code enforcement or the health department at a hotel. But there is no oversight; Local communities clamber around trying to reverse the damage that has been done, fairly unsuccessfully, because now all of the crows have had their taste of primo roadkill and shiny trinkets- they are going to fight beak & tail to keep the good stuff rolling in.