Perth and Kinross Opens Consultation on Tourist Tax
Perth and Kinross Council is asking residents and operators whether to introduce a visitor levy on overnight stays, following Edinburgh's lead under Scotland's 2024 tourism tax law.
Vacation Rental News
Huntsville Council Race Turns Into Referendum on Rental Rules
Three candidates for Huntsville, Alabama's District 4 council seat are campaigning on rival plans for short-term rental oversight, from tighter permit caps to stepped-up enforcement.
Plainfield, NJ Floats Third Rental Rule, Caps Nights at 310
Plainfield's third short-term rental ordinance in ten months would cap bookings at 310 nights a year after two stricter drafts collapsed under council opposition.
Hanley Economic Building Society Adds Holiday Let Mortgages
The Stoke-on-Trent mutual now writes mortgages for holiday let purchases, giving owners another lender to shop against as the tax breaks that once favored the sector have disappeared.
Mallorca Water Shortage Raises Alarm for Summer Rentals
Greenpeace warns Spain's water reserves built up over winter are already being drained by heat and overuse, with the Balearic Islands and northern Spain flagged as most exposed heading into peak season.
Asturias Tourist Tax Plan Splits Region's Tourism Sector
A proposed visitor levy for the northern Spanish region has reopened a fight over whether Asturias should chase mass tourism growth or cap it, with short-term rental hosts watching closely.
US Rental RevPAR Jumps 7.2% as New Supply Stalls
Short-term rental revenue per available night climbed in 49 of the 50 largest US markets as high borrowing costs keep new listings from entering the market.
New Tools Flag Insurance Gaps Before Claims Get Denied
A new wave of coverage-review checklists is pushing short-term rental operators to check their policies for gaps before a guest incident turns into a denied claim.
Vermont Host Helps Build Network Fighting Rental Bans
A Vermont short-term rental owner is part of an effort funding and coordinating new state and local vacation rental associations to push back on ban proposals nationwide.
Airbnb's New Car Rental Feature Runs on CarTrawler
Airbnb has begun offering car rental bookings inside its app, sourced through Dublin-based travel technology firm CarTrawler, extending its push into services beyond stays.
New Hampshire Town Cracks Down on Unpermitted Rentals
A New Hampshire municipality is enforcing a short-term rental permit ordinance that has been on the books for years but rarely policed.
Hillsborough County Advances $200 Rental Registry, Hotline Rule
Hillsborough County commissioners moved forward a $200 annual short-term rental registration fee and a round-the-clock local contact requirement, with a final vote expected in September.
Spanish Rental Firm Gaiarooms Triples Revenue to €15.2 Million
Gaiarooms says first-half revenue jumped 211% year-over-year to €15.2 million and it is holding to a forecast of more than €4 million in full-year EBITDA.
Woodstock, Illinois Ends Airbnb Tax Break Starting Jan. 1
Woodstock, Illinois will start taxing short-term rentals on January 1, closing an exemption that let Airbnb and Vrbo hosts skip the lodging tax hotels already pay.
Airbnb Raises Outlook as Q2 Revenue Outpaces Bookings Growth
Airbnb says second-quarter revenue climbed 17% while nights and experiences booked rose 10%, a gap that points to higher spending per trip rather than just more guests.
Airbnb Sued Over Utah Teen's Murder at Rented Home
A Salt Lake City mother's lawsuit accuses Airbnb of failing to stop a party that ended in her 19-year-old son's death, testing how far the platform's safety tools actually go.
Airbnb Pays Boulder Hosts $200 to List for Sundance
Airbnb is offering a one-time $200 bonus to Boulder, Colorado residents who put a home up for rent during Sundance Film Festival's first year in the city.
Trade Group Urges Highland Council to Halt Let Zone Expansion
An industry body representing Scotland's self-catering operators wants Highland Council to pause plans to widen its short-term let control area before assessing the impact of rules already in force.
Hastings, Nebraska Ties Rental Rules to House Size, Not Stay Length
The city's draft zoning code would classify short-term rentals by the size of the structure instead of Nebraska's usual 30-day rental cutoff, ahead of a planning commission vote.
Missing Cleaning Contract Leaves Hosts Holding the Bill
Written agreements spelling out who pays for damage, missed turnovers and broken schedules are becoming standard between rental operators and cleaning crews.
Airbnb Adds Car Rentals, Betting Guests Won't Leave the App
Airbnb has folded car rental bookings into its app and website, the latest push to keep travelers spending inside its ecosystem instead of comparison shopping elsewhere.
East Lothian Council to Rule Again on New Holiday Let Homes
East Lothian councillors are set to reconsider a resubmitted planning application for new-build holiday let homes, a decision that will test how the council treats short-term rental development after an earlier version of the scheme stalled.
Andalusia Vacation Rental Group Fights Proposed Tourist Tax
A trade association representing Andalusia's licensed vacation rentals says a proposed visitor tax would raise guest costs and wants operators consulted before regional lawmakers set any rate.
Sedona Asks Arizona Voters to Restore Local Rental Control
Sedona wants a statewide ballot measure that would let Arizona cities and towns write their own short-term rental rules, undoing a state law that has blocked local caps and bans since 2016.