Arizona short-term rental operators say they oppose legislation that would put new restrictions on the industry, but may have common ground with their opposition — both sides see an issue with large, out-of-state organizations buying up the housing supply.
In 2016, state legislators passed a law preempting municipalities from restricting short term rental operators and companies like Airbnb.
Since then, popular tourism communities like Scottsdale and Sedona have grown increasingly frustrated by rentals taking up a large chunk of the local housing supply. and lawmakers have introduced more and more legislation to restrict STRs.
This year, a proposal by Gov. Katie Hobbs would put a $3.50 nightly fee on STRs to pay for utility assistance for low-income people.
Arizona Responsible Tourism Coalition President Jonathan Wicks is an advocate for STRs. He said at a press conference on Wednesday that ideas like Hobbs’ fee would hurt tourists and homeowners alike.
“It would cause us to not be able to operate, potentially not be able to rent out our homes and pay for mortgages that we use through this income. But also, if we were to operate, that would only increase costs for people to visit our state,” Wicks said.
The pro-STR coalition argued individual Arizona residents renting out their properties are being unfairly blamed for housing issues, but they’re not the real perpetrators.
Wicks said “institutional investors” buying houses in Arizona are a separate issue, and not something he would advocate against.
“I know there are bills that are out there and there are workings [sic] to be done to maybe stop some of that, but that's not something that we've taken an official stance on,” he said.
“Unaffordable housing is a real issue. … The primary driver of rising housing costs is institutional investors who are buying massive numbers of homes as long-term rentals, driving up rent, and making it harder for families to find affordable places to live,” Brindy Bringhurst said. She is a self-described “Airbnb ambassador” who offers her services to property owners who want to turn their homes into rentals.
An anti-STR group called the Arizona Neighborhood Alliance arrived and counterprotested at the coalition’s event.
The alliance members said they agree that individual Arizonans renting out their own homes or guest houses aren’t really the problem, especially if they still live on the property.
They say out of state businesspeople are the enemy.
The two groups disagree on most other points though. For example, Wicks said STRs being used as “party houses” are not an issue anymore, and “bad actors” are leaving the industry.
Roseanne South with the Arizona Neighborhood Alliance said she runs multiple Airbnbs, and is still an advocate for restrictions. That’s largely because party areas are still a problem in her neighborhood, she said.
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