Dana and Matt host guests from all walks of the industry, sharing their stories and discussing possible solutions to the greatest threat that property managers<\/a> in the US \u2013 and all over the world \u2013 face: unfair regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a leading vacation rental software company, we\u2019ve always been passionate about supporting short-term rental advocacy. To dig deeper into the topic, we asked the representatives of two prominent European advocacy associations \u2013 FEVITUR<\/a> in Spain and STAA<\/a> in the UK \u2013 to share their insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read on to hear from Merilee Karr<\/a>, CEO of UnderTheDoormat and Chairperson of the STAA and Patricia Valenzuela<\/a>, Director of FEVITUR, about the importance of vacation rental advocacy, what\u2019s at stake, and how we can take action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe need to find a way to come together and have a voice, so we can take affirmative action when it comes to lobbying, but also to share knowledge and best practices across the UK, Europe, the US and beyond<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Graham Donoghue, CEO of Sykes (20,000 rentals in the UK and New Zealand) in the ShortTermRentalz RockSTRz webinar<\/a><\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Vacation rental advocacy is all about coming together and making our voices heard. But the ultimate goal isn\u2019t just to achieve the most favourable outcomes possible for short-term rental operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the VRMA Advocacy Fund<\/a> states, advocacy is aimed at:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next to this, advocacy also aims to protect the local community<\/strong> and create fair and balanced regulations that benefit both sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The media has often painted short-term rentals as the sole culprit of various issues that cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam and Venice<\/a> face \u2013 including housing shortages and gentrification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, they have failed to acknowledge that these problems are caused by unauthorized bad actors, and that, within the right regulatory framework, short-term rentals can provide a lot of value to local communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Short-term rentals can have a positive impact on local communities by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When local governments impose restrictive policies on short-term rentals, they deprive their communities of these benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cResponsible actors within the industry have as much to gain by removing rogue operators as anyone else and therefore will always back necessary and proportionate regulation. But those words are crucial. Policymakers need to ask themselves what is the problem that they are trying to solve, and will the solution that they have devised end up having harmful unintended impacts on legitimate operators,\u201d<\/em> says Merilee Karr, Chairperson of the STAA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, we\u2019ve seen several instances of unfair policies stripping communities of opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTake the new rules in Scotland, for instance. Introducing a licensing system for people who only want to short-let for a couple of weeks in the year is not at all a proportionate response. The likelihood is, unfortunately, that many non-commercial operators will decide that it is not worth their while to continue, depriving them of valuable additional income and taking away the authentic sharing economy side of activity in that market,\u201d <\/em>Merilee adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Advocate amidst crackdowns like New York Regulations<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s more, unreasonable limitations often exacerbate problems instead of solving them, because they encourage illegal activity and lead to a complete loss of accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you\u2019re not at the table, you\u2019ll be on the menu<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Steve Milo, CEO of VTrips (2000+ rentals in Florida) on the Sarah and T podcast<\/a><\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n To protect their businesses, property managers need to make sure that they\u2019re not left out of the conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs a comparatively new industry in many senses, the short-term rental sector is often poorly understood by policymakers and other stakeholders, who do not always see that there is more to it than a few big global platforms,\u201d<\/em> says Merilee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to her, it\u2019s essential for smaller companies and operators to have their voices heard. Otherwise, regulators may not take into account the complexities of the market and devise policies that exclude smaller players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, for example, many of our members have struggled to access government relief, because the eligibility criteria are based on an outdated understanding of what a hospitality business is. It is vital for the viability of short-term rental operators that they have a forum and are able to raise concerns such as these when they arise, and a means of communicating them to the government,\u201d<\/em> Merilee says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a short-term rental property manager, you have business insights and industry expertise that policymakers don\u2019t. The only way to combat misinformation is to stand up, engage and communicate your needs \u2013 as well as how your business can contribute to your local community \u2013 to the government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cInaction, complacency and unwillingness to band together in the face of regulations are the greatest threats to our industry. Community-based advocacy has to be done. And if you don\u2019t participate today you will have no right to complain when things go wrong tomorrow<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dana Lubner, Director of Sales at Effortless Rental Group and Host of the How to Save Your Vacation Rental Business<\/a> podcast<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s difficult to talk about regulations and advocacy in general terms since the challenges that local communities face are so varied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, in Spain, the number one barrier to balanced and sustainable short-term rental activity is the lack of standardized regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn Spain, the competences in tourism regulation are conferred on the autonomous communities and this generates the current chaos in which each community seems to go it alone. We need a state law. A large part of the legal problems derives from the fact that we have 17 different definitions, one for each autonomous community,\u201d<\/em> says Patricia Valenzuela, Director of FEVITUR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Patricia, another key factor would be to create a nationwide digital registry where owners could register their homes for tourist use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FEVITUR is committed to promoting the creation of such a national registry, which would \u201cprovide additional levers of rigour in matters such as national security, consumer defence and, even more, fiscal rigour. The solution is to make a simple definition of what is a home for tourist use from the LAU , in which its residential classification is clear. Without a clear definition of what a VUT is, it can hardly be regulated,\u201d<\/em> Patricia says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Merilee is optimistic that after the crisis, securing fair regulations will help to rebuild the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIndeed, our sector was born following the last recession, when people needed to do something to make a little bit of extra money. The sharing economy is well placed to do that following this economic crisis. We believe that ensuring people are able to monetise what, for most, is by far their largest asset, with the uncertain times we are likely to see ahead of us will help us as an industry to grow and help democratise accommodation so that many more can benefit from our industry in the years to come,\u201d<\/em> she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Merilee believes that ultimately, self-regulation in the form of accreditation is the best way forward. The STAA has developed an accreditation in collaboration with Quality in Tourism, which \u201chelps define what professional operators should be delivering and provides that stamp of approval so consumers can understand and choose operators they trust,\u201d<\/em> Merilee says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere should be no need for onerous regulations of our sector if we can prove we operate to the right standards around the UK and across the world,\u201d<\/em> she adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for FEVITUR, they will continue \u201cworking to fight against all those unfair regulations and dismantle the theories that accuse the sector of being responsible for many of the evils that affect tourism, and our cities in general,\u201d<\/em> says Patricia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As it stands, the last quarter of the year will be very tough and recovery<\/a> will depend on local demand. But even during the fight for survival, it\u2019s important not to forget about the ultimate goal of creating \u201ca regulatory framework that prioritises free competition, fiscal rigour, quality and the promotion of competitiveness in our industry,\u201d<\/em> says Patricia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, if you want to become an advocate for fair regulations, where should you start?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you do anything else, make sure you have your finger on the pulse of your local community. What\u2019s the general feeling towards short-term rentals? What regulations are currently in place? What new regulations do local policymakers have on their agenda? Once you understand the current state of affairs, you\u2019ll know what issues you need to address in your advocacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, find or create a local short-term rental advocacy group. Remember: when it comes to effective advocacy, collaboration is everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe would encourage property managers to join the STAA or your local association. Working with other companies across the sector to develop a common position we can advocate for is critical. It is important to speak with a single voice to government at a local and national level to impact change, or indeed to prevent knee-jerk regulation which might severely impact the industry,\u201d <\/em>says Merilee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve banded together, you can work on crafting a compelling story and telling that story in different formats. Whether it\u2019s social media or the press that you\u2019ll turn to, you need to create a narrative that will help get your local community on your side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next step is to take your seat at the table. Reach out to local policymakers through your advocacy group and make sure you have some good arguments up your sleeves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Advocacy doesn\u2019t end with enacting a policy that you agree with. Advocacy groups often dismantle after they\u2019ve won a small victory \u2013 don\u2019t fall into that trap! Keep engaging because you never know what the future holds. Protecting your vacation rental business is constant work, and you don\u2019t want to be left out of the conversation as regulations evolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can learn more about specific steps to take in the How to Save Your Vacation Rental Business<\/a> podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rentalsunited.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/vacation-rental-advocacy-podcast-banner-600x334-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat is the goal of short-term rental advocacy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What happens when policymakers devise unfair regulations?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhy should property managers become advocates?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat\u2019s the key to achieving fair and sustainable regulation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s the outlook for the industry past COVID-19?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow can property managers get involved in vacation rental advocacy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Understand the local situation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Team up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Share your story<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Engage with policymakers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Keep advocating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAbout the STAA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n