vacation rental regulations passed!

[kalakoa]

Without those vacation rentals, there won’t be as many visitors and their dollars.

Exactly. When this impacts the economy, "we the people" need to stand up for balancing the budget on County staffing cuts, not just another tax increase.

[kimo wires]

It Could it also have a negative impact on home values
No income producing properties
The investors go away
Tourism in East Hawaii dries up because there is no available rentals.
Construction slows as demand for housing decreases
Less jobs for skilled workers.
Less patrons for Restaurants/Shops
Sounds depressing.
If this complete ban goes into effect I'll be planning my exit strategy.
I was counting on my future VR to carry me through my retirement.https://www.civilbeat.org/2018/11/big-island-vacation-rental-ban-could-be-the-final-death-blow-for-puna/

[My 2 cents]

I have tried to look at this from the other side to see if there is any way that this could have a positive effect. I can't come up with anything. Clean up the neighborhood, create more affordable long term rentals.....none of these arguments stand up under even the slightest scrutiny.

Economic sabotage.

[MarkP]

Not trying to minimize the damage of this bill but it does say "unhosted". Since you can only have one residence that would limit you to a single income property but if you are willing to host, seems like you can go that route.

[My 2 cents]

Hotinhawaii says:

"Two proponents of the bill have expressed a desire to also regulate/shut down hosted vacation rentals as well."

How much do you want to bet that this will be in the finalized rules?

[kimo wires]

A lot of people depend on their VRs to sustain themselves. I wonder how strict enforcement will be on illegal VRs. Its complaint driven and enforcement is not a priority. Ads on Rental websites aren't illegal, and not a source for investigation , from what I've been reading. There's over 8000 VRs currently on the Island. There's going to be a lot of pissed off people that are going to basically be forced into renting illegally. I'm no law expert but it seems like a class action suit against the county might be a recourse to 6 people deciding the fate of thousands.

[Rob Tucker]

While the CoH has a history of making no effort on economic development this smacks of economic suppression.

[KiminPL]

Economic suppression - agree.
I had never considered renting out my home, but maybe I will do the paperwork for a permit just because this annoys me so much.

[My 2 cents]

$500/year for the permit + $250/year for non-conforming permit + tax increase.......Are you willing to spend upwards of $1000/year just for the option?

And it won't increase your property value because it becomes null and void when you sell. Although this might be challengeable in court, but how much will that cost?

[KiminPL]

The price is high, for sure. My property values are not worth worrying about; never was a concern on my part. Low will probably stay low. Alternatively, I may sign up to trade homes with people in faraway places. The County does not regulate private home trades where no money is exchanged. Maybe I can go stay in Bergen, Norway and you'll have neighbors speaking Norwegian for a few weeks. Or I could end up visiting Edinburgh and the reciprocating folks will speak English with a thick Scottish accent.