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Conventional wisdom tells us to ‘expect the unexpected,’ and Airbnb news certainly delivered this week, most notably when a guest in Los Angeles received a surprise visit from a SWAT team!Margot Lee Shmorak, CEO and Co-founder of Hostfully, joins Jasper (our homeless host) to discuss that incident as well as the unexpected negative view of Airbnb presented by a few high-profile Democrats on the national stage in the US.They also cover the story of a couple who was pleasantly surprised by Airbnb’s new payment options as they planned their honeymoon trip, and an op-ed explaining why Airbnb’s growth in China is sluggish despite their best efforts. Listen in to understand why anything more than modest growth is unexpected in the Chinese market.Topics CoveredArticle #1: Hotel Industry Details Plans to Fight Airbnb•High-profile Democrats raised concerns about Airbnb•Questioned housing costs, racial discrimination, and consumer protection and safety w/ FTC•Accused Airbnb of evading local tax laws•First time issue raised at national level•Hotel lobby gave $1.3M to congressional candidates during past election cycle•Airbnb spent $485,000 on lobbying in 2016•Polarizing stance is surprisingArticle #2: Why Airbnb’s China Expansion is Stumbling•Name rebrand ‘Airbiying’ is awkward•Homesharing not part of Chinese culture•Only 19% motivated by social aspect•Only 6.5% of Chinese trust strangers•Price difference between Airbnb and hotels is much smaller•Competition is much bigger•Tujia boasts 10 times the number of listings•Regulations make it difficult for foreign companies to do business•The city of Paris has roughly the same number of Airbnb listings as all of ChinaArticle #3: Airbnb Guest Surprised by SWAT Team Looking for Fugitive•New Yorker staying at Airbnb in Los Angeles•Overwhelmed by officers looking for ‘Ashley’•Shot video of the incident•Nervous that local regulations might prohibit Airbnb, he initially claimed to know the fugitive•Later admitted that he did notArticle #4: Airbnb is Quietly Testing Flexible Payment Plans for Guests•Airbnb is testing a feature that allows guests to put down a 50% deposit to reserve a luxury property•Remaining balance is due two weeks prior to arrival•Invented other systems in regions where paying with an international credit card isn’t an option, i.e.: Cuba and Brazil•Demonstrates Airbnb’s willingness to experimentResources MentionedArticle #1: thehill.com/policy/technology/329120-the-hotel-industry-is-planning-a-washington-showdown-with-airbnbArticle #2: techinasia.com/talk/airbnb-china-expansion-stumbleArticle #3: news.com.au/finance/business/travel/airbnb-guest-surprised-by-swat-team-looking-for-fugitive/news-story/0e0d2ee58092d045e8915466a30a59cbArticle #4: fastcompany.com/40410787/airbnb-is-quietly-testing-flexible-payment-options-for-guestsConnect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there something you’ve always wanted to try? Maybe it’s surfing, or nature photography, or even burlesque? It can be intimidating to seek out experiences like that on your own if you don’t know anyone in the scene.Airbnb Experiences is designed to give guests an opportunity to try something extraordinary – with a welcoming expert host who can’t wait to share their city with you. Cat LaCohie, otherwise known as Vixen DeVille, is an Airbnb Experience host in Los Angeles who shares the world of burlesque with guests who are curious about the art form.Today Cat shares the process of developing an experience with Airbnb, the specifics of what’s involved in her one- and three-day experiences, and the advantages the program provides to travelers. And if you’re interested in becoming a host yourself, Cat offers invaluable advice regarding how to create a unique experience. Topics CoveredThe qualities the company is looking for in Airbnb Experience hosts•Welcoming•Willingness to meet and spend time with guestsWhy Airbnb approached Cat to serve as host•Her niche in burlesque fit the wide spectrum of interests Airbnb was going for•Cat’s Yelp reviews spoke to her approach in working with othersAirbnb’s initial approach in developing experiences•Provide a range of activities•Select interesting and fun hostsHow Airbnb provided support in developing each distinct experience•Marketing copy•Promotional photos, videos•Hosts paid for time during beta testing (though experiences offered for free)•Provided retainer for hosts to ensure availability during testing phase•Airbnb employees did experiences themselves to provide feedbackCat’s one-day experience•‘Pregame’ dress up and selfies•Burlesque showCat’s three-day immersion•Day One – attend burlesque show•Day Two – class with Cat to learn burlesque technique•Day Three – photo shoot with costumesThe benefits of Airbnb Experiences vs. a typical tourist experience•Extraordinary activities•Expert guidance•Part of a group – instantlyThe diverse guests Cat has hosted•Groups with genuine interest in pursuing burlesque•Individuals moving to LA and looking to make interesting friends•Older women looking to get a new lease on lifeCat’s advice to potential Airbnb Experience hosts•Develop an experience that is linked to your passion•Be sure you have an ‘in’ (share your world/network)•Be flexible and adapt to your guests’ requests•Interact and show interest in your guests•Choose activities that a visitor would NOT know about (rather than what’s ‘popular’)The financial aspects of hosting an experience•Cat’s one-day experience costs $99 for four hours•Airbnb receives 20%•Cat’s expenses include show tickets, drinks, photographer/makeup artist fees•The more people participating, the more lucrative•One person doing one-day experience, only $30 profit•Six people, as much as $500 profit in one nightResources Airbnb Experiences Hosting Info Connect with CatCat’s Airbnb Burlesque Experience‘Vixen DeVille’ WebsiteConnect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Hostfully.com where you can create a custom digital guidebook for your guests! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’ve got to keep ‘em regulated.This seems to be the hotel industry’s sentiment toward Airbnb, as revealed in documents obtained by the New York Times this week.Jasper is joined by Glenn Carter, Hostfully Marketing Specialist, to chat about the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s formal plan to rein in Airbnb, as well as a new UBS report suggesting that regulations have slowed the growth of Airbnb in some of the company’s most popular markets.They also cover the lawsuit Airbnb is bringing against the city of Miami for targeting hosts who spoke at a city commission meeting, and corporate travel policies around homesharing. Listen in to find out what amenities attract business travelers and how corporations can benefit from allowing for the use of platforms like Airbnb when employees travel for work.Topics CoveredArticle #1: Inside the Hotel Industry’s Plan to Combat Airbnb•American Hotel and Lodging Association’s action plan to combat Airbnb revealed•Took credit for Federal Trade Commission’s housing cost investigation and steep fines in NY•Hotel industry argues that Airbnb drives up housing costs and hurts the middle class•The numbers disprove that claim as majority of hosts have only one listing•No proof of causal relationship between rising home prices and AirbnbArticle #2: Corporate Travel Still Doesn’t Get Homesharing Despite Business Traveler Use•A mere 17% of corporate travel policies allow business travelers to stay at homesharing properties•Some business travelers unaware of company policy, utilize homesharing regardless•Airbnb caters to business travelers with select amenities•Flexibility and affordability likely to attract more business travelers to Airbnb moving forwardArticle #3: Airbnb Sues Miami After City Targets Speakers at Recent Meeting•City of Miami targeted five Airbnb hosts who spoke at city commission meeting•Airbnb filed lawsuit against city for violation of First Amendment rights•Airbnb argues that hosts had the right to speak without fear of retribution•Airbnb has shown willingness to cooperate with other cities•Strange that Miami would instigate conflict and bring about negative PRArticle #4: Regulation is Slowing Growth in Some of Airbnb’s Most Popular Markets•UBS report suggests that regulations have had a negative impact on Airbnb’s business•Listings in Airbnb’s seven largest markets still grew 40% year over year•Declines noted in NYC and Barcelona, where strict legislation has been enacted•Airbnb looking to grow in other hospitality niches until revenue from homesharing accounts for less than half of the company’s totalResources MentionedGlenn’s GPFYP Podcast InterviewGPFYP Episode 47Article #1: nytimes.com/2017/04/16/technology/inside-the-hotel-industrys-plan-to-combat-airbnb.htmArticle #2: skift.com/2017/04/17/corporate-travel-still-doesnt-get-homesharing-despite-business-traveler-useArticle #3: local10.com/travel/airbnb-sues-miami-after-the-city-targeted-speakers-at-recent-meetingArticle #4: skift.com/2017/04/14/airbnbs-growth-slows-in-markets-where-it-faces-more-regulation Connect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone loves a good party… Unless of course, that party happens in your Airbnb without your knowledge or consent!We all hope that our guests will be respectful of our possessions and our space, and the vast majority of Airbnb users are good people who do just that. But every now and then a bad apple comes along, and it is a good idea to be aware of Airbnb’s resolution process and think through how you might handle a negative situation should it ever arise.Alice is an Airbnb Superhost who manages Talon Resort, a private mountain home in Tennessee, and lives there when it is not booked. After a weekend rental that was supposed to be for five people, she returned to find evidence that a keg party had taken place in her home. Worse yet, several of her possessions were missing.Listen in as Alice shares her story and offers advice regarding how to handle such difficult situations in a professional manner – and better yet, how to spot the warning signs in advance and avoid a problem altogether!Topics CoveredAlice’s Airbnb standing•Manages four properties•Superhost status•Lives at private mountain home in Tennessee when not bookedAlice’s communication with guest prior to stay•Guest was polite, planned ‘relaxing weekend in mountains’•Alice accepted two-night booking for five people despite lack of reviews•She intended to meet guest at afternoon check-in•Guest altered arrival time to 11pm at the last minuteWhat Alice discovered upon return•In breach of house rule, wood stove was used•Mink stole missing from closet•Bedspread, blanket and bottle of Sam Adams Utopias also missing•Shattered glass in bedroom, on porch and in yard•Bullet holes indicated that guests had destroyed stemware with pellet gun•Bloodstains in closet, vomit in every bathroom and outsideEvidence of alcohol consumed•177 used Solo cups•168 empty beer cans•5 empty bottles of wine•3 empty handles of liquorThe guest’s response when confronted•Didn’t take responsibility•Maintained that only five people were on property•Denied having taken any items•Suggested that glass bottle dropping out of trash bag caused debris in yardHow Alice responded•Called Airbnb right away•Customer service agent advised her to call police•Initiated Airbnb resolution processAirbnb’s resolution process•Must report dispute before arrival of next guest•Host submits request for specific amount of money•Guest has three days to…•Approve and send payment•Decline with explanation•Negotiate via dialogue•If guest fails to respond, Airbnb gets involvedAlice’s experience with the Resolution Center to date•Sent request for return of stolen items and $685•Guest failed to respond•Alice had to write additional report and get estimates of damage•After three weeks, she has yet to hear from Trust and Safety DepartmentWhat Alice is doing differently to prevent future incidents•No remote check-in•Photo of guest’s government ID•Higher security deposit•Qualifiers added to house rules (e.g.: no shooting of any kind)•No alcohol left out moving forwardWarning signs Alice noticed in retrospect•No bio on profile•Change in check-in time to avoid meetingAlice’s advice regarding how to handle similar situations•Be sure to document with before/after photos•Pay attention to detail•Stay calm and organized•Communicate with guests through Airbnb siteResources Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Airbnb was in the headlines for the wrong reasons this week, as an Asian-American guest was stranded by a vicious host who offered race as the reason for the last-minute cancellation. Despite Airbnb’s best efforts to combat discrimination via changes to the platform, the issue continues to plague the company.Today Jasper chats with Nicole Prentice Williams, VP of Strategic Partnerships at Hostfully, about the adjustments Airbnb has made to create an unbiased environment and whether those changes go far enough. They also cover the governor’s race in California, and the big donations Airbnb employees are making to a certain candidate.Listen and learn about the currency conversion fee Airbnb guests are facing as well as the gear you need to outfit your vacation rental. Want that coveted five-star review? Provide your Airbnb guests with these amenities!Topics CoveredArticle #1: ‘One Word Says It All – Asian’: Airbnb Host Reportedly Leaves Guest Stranded Because of Her Race•Guest booked property near Big Bear, California, for ski trip•Reservation canceled upon arrival•Host texted outrageous, racist comments as explanation•Emotional guest interviewed by local news crew•Host banned from the platform•Timing of video release (six weeks later) seems oddArticle #2: How Airbnb’s Redesign Aims to Combat Discrimination on the Service•Instant Book feature•Removal of host pics in search results•Profile photos of guests and hosts minimized•Critics suggest suppression of photos until booking is complete•Airbnb counters that photos are important for security, culture•Hosts rely on photos to help make informed decisionsArticle #3: The Best Gear to Outfit a Vacation Rental or Airbnb•Offers 24-item checklist•Provide better experience for guests (comparable to hotel)•Includes mattress and pillow protectors for the bedroom•Recommends quality towels, hair dryer and clean shower liner for bath•Suggests Wi-Fi extender•Little things like a bottle opener and better toilet paper make a big differenceArticle #4: Newsom Raises Most for Governor’s Race, With Boost from Airbnb•Progressive former mayor of San Francisco•Airbnb employees have donated more than $200,000 to his campaign•Other candidates report largest single-source contributions under $100,000Article #5: People are Really Annoyed About Airbnb’s ‘Hidden’ 3% Conversion Fee•Guests who book in a country with a different currency must pay 3% fee•Credit card company typically charges this conversion fee•Airbnb likely saw an opportunity to make money by doing conversion themselvesResources MentionedArticle #1: washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2017/04/07/one-word-says-it-all-asian-airbnb-host-reportedly-leaves-guest-stranded-because-of-her-raceArticle #2: cnbc.com/2017/04/07/airbnb-experimenting-with-site-design-to-fight-discriminationAirbnb Open Doors PolicyArticle #3: thesweethome.com/reviews/best-gear-to-outfit-a-vacation-rental-or-airbnbAirbnb News Facebook GroupGPFYP Email NewsletterArticle #4: sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Newsom-raises-most-for-governor-s-race-with-11060806.phpArticle #5: businessinsider.com/airbnb-charges-a-sneaky-3-per-cent-conversion-fee-on-bookings-2017-4Airbnb’s Currency Conversion FeeConnect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The beauty of Airbnb is the trust people place in each other, allowing strangers to stay in their homes and sharing their space – and often their lives. Comedians are in the business of studying people and learning their stories, and today’s guest was fascinated by the concept of home sharing and curious to understand why people choose to host.Jasper is chatting with Greg Schwem, a business humorist, corporate comedian, and syndicated columnist. He often travels for work, so Greg started adding an extra day to his trips and booking an Airbnb with an interesting profile. With their permission, he films a segment with each host and posts to his YouTube channel, A Comedian Walks into an Airbnb.Listen in as Greg shares his unique Airbnb experiences, including a stay on an air mattress in a Volkswagen van and a trip to Miami Beach hosted by a ‘stripper turned house flipper.’Topics CoveredHow Greg chooses an Airbnb•Interesting profile•Extraordinary location/circumstancesGreg’s unique experiences•Row house in DC•Volkswagen van in Vail•Carriage house in Tulsa•Trendy loft in ChicagoGreg’s extraordinary host in Miami Beach•Former exotic dancer•Hosts property in Miami Beach•Career in real estate led to Airbnb•Owned rock and roll paraphernalia store•Very open about her pastHow Greg approaches video production•Airbnb host is the star•His job is to get them talkingWhy Greg is particularly suited to host an Airbnb-themed channel•Background in television news•Open to staying anywhere•Age adds a degree of humor (at 54, he’s often out of his element)•Interest in people and their storiesGreg’s plans for his channel moving forward•Continue to seek out interesting Airbnb hosts/experiences (i.e.: flea market shopping in Texas)•Pursue slot on a streaming video or network channelResources “My Daughter’s Room Would Look Great on Airbnb” by Greg SchwemConnect with Gregwww.gregschwem.comA Comedian Walks Into an Airbnb YouTube Channel Connect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Hostfully.com where you can create a custom digital guidebook for your guests! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the trend toward instant bookings continues, the Airbnb platform becomes more user-friendly for guests. But what does that mean for you as a host? The policies around cancellations can be confusing, and hosts who prefer the strict cancellation policy operate under a different set of rules.Hostfully President David Jacoby joins Jasper this week to cover the pros and cons of using Instant Book as Airbnb steers its hosts toward that option. They also chat about the recent incidence of theft in Toronto and Airbnb’s response, as well as the latest news about Airbnb’s growth – which may not be as disruptive as people think!Listen and learn about upcoming home-sharing trade shows and conferences on the west coast and the different types of insurance policies you may want to consider – if you are using platforms other than Airbnb. And if you didn’t catch Airbnb’s April Fool’s joke, David and Jasper will hook you up.Topics CoveredArticle #1: Instant Booking Becomes the Big Metric for Airbnb and Vacation Rentals•Airbnb instant booking availability has grown from 460,000 in the first quarter of 2016 to nearly 1M today•Hosts who use Instant Book may cancel penalty-free three times•All Booking.com listings are instantly bookable•New Airbnb system currently being tested in Italy•Service fees higher for hosts using strict cancellation policy•Instant Book seeks to decrease discrimination on the platformArticle #2: Airbnb Fully Reimburses Man Who Had $21K Worth of Items Stolen by Guests•An iPad and two iPhones were among the stolen items•Airbnb does have insurance, but other platforms do not•Select policies carefully, considering both liability and coverage for contents/damages•Deliberate between replacing your current policy or adding a riderArticle #3: Airbnb’s Growth Soars: Senior Women are Fastest-Rising Demographic of Home-Sharing Hosts•151% growth in Nevada•Despite growth, hospitality industry doing well•Affordability of Airbnb creates additional travel demandArticle #4: Airbnb Might Not Be So Disruptive After All•HomeAway is keeping up•Many hosts list on multiple platforms•Allowing short-term rentals can benefit landlords•Hosts willing to pay extra•Property well-maintained•Less turnoverResources MentionedSmartbnbArticle #1: tnooz.com/article/instant-booking-big-metric-airbnb-vacation-rentalsHumanless Host VideoArticle #2: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/airbnb-update-1.4049429CBIZ InsuranceComet InsuranceProper InsurancePropel InsuranceArticle #3: vegasinc.com/business/2017/apr/03/airbnbs-growth-soars-senior-women-are-fastest-risiArticle #4: barrons.com/articles/airbnb-might-not-be-so-disruptive-after-all-1490993239Jasper’s Airbnb Listing QuizHSDC Trade Fair (Bay Area)Host2Host Conference (Portland)Connect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feel like escaping the ‘rat race’? Wouldn’t it be nice to build a little wealth, making as much in passive income as you do active? Today Jasper has a conversation with a guest who has accomplished this ambitious goal – with the help of a game!Mark Krupa has invested in multiple properties along the ‘tourist trail’ in Eastern Europe. He is the author of @Airbnb Coach: Maximize Your Income and Satisfaction as an Airbnb Host, and he does one-on-one coaching to help Airbnb hosts improve their listing performance.Listen and let Mark coach you up on the investing game in Eastern Europe! Learn how he chose his investments, which one is performing the best and why, and how he navigates the ever-changing regulations around short- and long-term rentals.Topics CoveredHow Mark chose the locations for his investments•Researching tourist numbers and top destinations•Visiting himselfWhy Mark chose Eastern Europe•He lives there and Americans are allowed to invest•Low down payments and mortgage rates in 2009Mark’s properties•Bad Aussee, Austria•Czech Republic (three studio apartments)•Texas (two single family homes)The success of the Austrian property•Opportunities to ski in the area•‘Four season destination’•Purchased for $35,000 ($7,000 down payment)•Income of €900/month, expenses only €350/month•Advantageous tax situation•Low interest rate on mortgageThe unique requisites for guests of Mark’s Austrian property•Fill out and turn in tourist tax form•Leave cleaning fee in cash (€35)•Access keys themselves via realtor lock box next to front doorOther locales Mark has considered as an investment•Vienna•Budapest•Capital citiesThe regulations surrounding short-term rentals in the Czech Republic•Must have business license for short-term rental (30 days or fewer)•Obligated to forward guest information to foreign police•Required to report income at end of tax year•Mark had to shift from short- to long-term rentalsMark’s tips for investors•Find out if you can secure a mortgage•Look into buying properties that are fully managed•Research the prospects of making more than you will spend•Stay there yourself if possible•Find a reliable cleaning staff that does quality work•Communicate, react and welcome guestsResourcesCashflow Gamevoxer.comConnect with Mark@Airbnb Coach: Maximize Your Income and Satisfaction as an Airbnb Host- by Mark KrupaConnect on FacebookFollow on Twitter Connect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Hostfully.com where you can create a custom digital guidebook for your guests! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Airbnb’s mission statement asserts that one can “belong anywhere.” But because of the company’s disruption of the travel industry, some cities have implied that Airbnb itself is unwelcome – through strict regulations and ongoing legal battles.This week in the news, we see evidence that Airbnb is finding new ways to work with city governments and nonprofits to both improve their image and impact social change.Jasper is joined by Hostfully’s Head of Marketing, Silvia Li, to discuss Airbnb’s partnership with the city of San Francisco to combat homelessness. They also cover the company’s efforts to diversify beyond their core product as they expand into other areas of the travel space, specifically exploring the Airbnb Trips product. Listen and learn how Experiences hosts feel about the ‘experience’ thus far… And find out about Jasper’s submission to host a tour in Amsterdam!Topics CoveredArticle #1: Airbnb Teams Up with SF Giants to Help Homeless Families•Donate $1,000 for every home run scored by team•Hamilton Families Center as beneficiary•1,145 homeless families in the city (1,800 children)•Goal to place 800 families in homes by 2019•Mends relationship with city•Supports social impact aspect of Airbnb missionArticle #2: This is What Airbnb Trips Hosts Really Think of Airbnb’s Newest Product•Trips is part of effort to diversify (in response to investors)•Smart to add service to platform for travelers•Experiences are extremely curated•Airbnb supporting hosts with branding, marketing and ad $•800 Experiences available to book (up 60% since November)•59% of bookings in San Francisco were made by locals•Homes product will eventually account for less than half of revenueResources MentionedSilvia’s Go Fund Me Page for Peru Mudslide VictimsArticle #1: cnet.com/news/airbnb-teams-up-with-sf-giants-to-help-homeless-families-find-homesArticle #2: skift.com/2017/03/27/this-is-what-airbnb-trips-hosts-really-think-of-airbnbs-newest-productConnect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New York is known as the city that never sleeps. But if you are an Airbnb host there, you may be losing sleep over the state’s anti-Airbnb crusade and complicated short-term rental regulations.Today Jasper is on the line with Brendan MacKenzie, the founder of MetroButler, a short-term management company in New York. His background in law and familiarity with the Airbnb ecosystem make him the perfect candidate to explain what you need to know about the Multiple Dwelling Law and how it affects hosts in the Big Apple.Beyond clarifying the laws around short-term rentals, Brendan breaks down the pros and cons of the city’s hardline approach as well as the opportunities NYC is missing out on by discounting Airbnb’s benefits. Listen in to understand New York’s housing crisis and how the city might compromise with Airbnb to help – rather than hinder – the housing market!Topics CoveredNew York’s Multiple Dwelling Law•Applies to Class A buildings•Restricts from renting for fewer than 30 days if host isn’t present•Designed to discourage commercial operators•Amended in recent months to prohibit advertising (w/ fines of up to $7500 per infraction)Negative aspects of the Multiple Dwelling Law•Though the intention is to go after bad actors, it applies to a large number of hosts who are not commercial operators•Without an education campaign, many are unfamiliar with the Class A distinction•Might end up driving people out of their homes without Airbnb to help make ends meetWhy New York is taking such a hardline approach•Commercial operators take properties off the market•Pressure from the hotel lobbyCommon sense compromises that would benefit the city•Applying a nominal tax would generate revenue to build affordable housing•Working with Airbnb to enforce the One Host, One Home policyThe benefits of embracing Airbnb in New York City•Brings travelers who would not be able to afford a hotel•Allows for a more efficient use of resources•Provides a source of additional income for struggling artists, freelancers, etc.•Creates jobs in the Airbnb ecosystem (cleaning services, contractors, etc.)The MetroButler service•Serves the New York metro area•Provides “boots on the ground” for hosts while they travel•Full Service option for a 25% commission•Lite Service a-la-carte offerings (key exchanges, sheet rentals, etc.)Connect with BrendanMetroButler WebsiteConnect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Hostfully.com where you can create a custom digital guidebook for your guests! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.