Airbnb options are growing in popularity even more lately with what has been happening the last year. And to think they were quite popular to begin with! If you are unaware of Airbnb or VRBO, they are short-term rentals that owners place on the internet. Property owners, and sometimes even tenants, can directly lease, or rent, their property to a person for a short amount of time.
Most of the time, these short-term leases benefit both the owner and the person leasing the property. The owner gets extra income, while the renter pays far less than they would at a hotel. People looking at an Airbnb can usually find availability without needing to book months or even a year in advance.
While Airbnb offers flexibility for everyone, as well as either income or savings opportunities, you must remember it is not legal in all areas of the United States. Local governments get to decide whether or not an Airbnb is permitted in their area.
In the state of New Hampshire, local governments have been questioning whether any Airbnb is legal. Over in Portsmouth, an ordinance states short-term rentals like an Airbnb are considered transient occupancy and therefore are illegal. The city has actually served cease and desist orders to owners of any Airbnb properties. While those property owners fought that decision, the Rockingham County Superior Court upheld the initial ruling.
I understand why property owners, and potential renters, find an Airbnb so appealing on many levels. However, if you want to have an Airbnb in the state of New Hampshire, you must make sure you are legally allowed to do so. It is imperative that you research your local laws and regulations before you list an Airbnb on a website or advertise your property. This will prevent a host of headaches if you happen to open an Airbnb in an area where they are not allowed.
If you have no idea where to begin with short-term rentals in New Hampshire, especially when it comes to the local regulations, you can contact me today. I will share the information I have and try to find the answers if I am unaware of the answer to a specific question you have.