Short-term rental regulations are constantly changing. The following resource will be updated where possible, but should not be construed as legal advice. It is important to consult with your local lawyer to ensure that you are taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety and legality of your business. Missed the last scoop? Sign up for the final reading to get a preview of the day`s news in the Legislative Assembly. Under the legislation, the state fire department would take responsibility for inspecting rental properties from city health officials, whose current responsibilities include responding to health and safety complaints in rental housing. This or any additional information required by the Department may be requested from the Vermont Department of Taxation. If you want to expand in Vermont or invest in Airbnb, short-term rental regulations are usually visible. However, some regulations can be difficult to find and understand. For a better understanding and ultimately to grow your Airbnb vacation rental business, below is detailed and updated Airbnb law, regulations, and taxes in Vermont. Tip: Keep records of your short-term rental business, including rental dates, tenant names, the amount charged for rent, and taxes levied and collected. Over the past two years, state and local officials have focused on regulating vacation rentals. Regulations have been widely passed piecemeal from city to city, though Vermont has statewide rules. Read more: Small state, big opportunity: How Vermont`s STRA incubates innovation To avoid another veto, lawmakers canceled on June 10.
Instead, the Investment in Rental Housing Program was created. Vermont recently passed a new rule requiring short-term tenants to provide their Vermont meal and lodging tax account number in any short-term rental listing. Vermont law states that you must publish the following in a short-term rental property: In an 8-2 vote Monday night, the Burlington City Council passed an ordinance disqualifying up to 80 percent of the city`s short-term rentals because they occupy a house, apartment or entire apartment. Of Burlington`s 250 to 300 short-term rentals, about 81 percent are entire units, according to the city. These units — unless they meet the exceptions created by the Affordable Housing Council — will soon violate the city`s housing laws. To get approval from the state marshal, a full inspection is essential, including emergency exit windows, installed smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, stairs, and handrails. If the short-term rental does not meet the requirements of the state fire marshal`s code, resulting in damage to customers and possible liability to the landlord. For more information, see: Code Information and Hot Topics Fire Sheets An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Marks would not be affected by the new legislation. Properties equipped only for the warmer months and «additional housing units» — residential units such as in-laws` suites built on the site of an existing home — are also exempt from the ban, according to the ordinance. In addition to occupancy by the owner, bed and breakfasts must go through a public application process involving the city`s planning review committee. Getting rid of that requirement, Shannon warned her colleagues, would prevent neighbors from weighing the potential of a short-term lease alongside them.
All owners, owners, and hosts of short-term rentals must comply with state laws. In addition, in Stowe, VT, there are zoning ordinances that property managers, landlords and hosts should be aware of. Many of these short-term rentals via sites like Airbnb and VRBO have remained largely unregulated. They do not have the same rules and requirements as established hotels and bed and breakfasts, including fire safety rules and code inspections. Tourism officials strive to create a level playing field between short-term rentals and licensed accommodations, which must comply with strict and lengthy health regulations to support their business. Through Airbnb, which covers taxes on meals and rooms, landlords and accommodation providers flock to list their inventory on the Airbnb platform in order to bypass the regulatory process and additional reporting. Licensed landowners, as well as the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, are calling for more regulation and licensing for a fee to support regulation and even the rules of the game for the entire industry. From 1 January 2021, short-term rental operators will have to apply for authorisation before renting their accommodation. All accommodation units, rooms or other rooms rented for less than 30 consecutive days and more than 14 days per year must be registered and inspected for licensing.
The new reform aims to limit the number of homes that can be converted into short-term rentals like Airbnb in order to reduce the impact on the long-term availability of housing. And at the same time, balance some flexibility so hosts can use their homes and earn an income while benefiting Burlington`s economy.