City Council to Tackle Illegal Short-Term Vacation Rental Problem

Ikaika Anderson, the zoning chairman for the Honolulu City Council, is seeking suggestions from his colleagues and the general public as to how to improve city regulations to deal with illegal short-term vacation rentals on the island of Oahu.  Operators argue that the bring an infusion of visitors to local neighborhoods, helping small businesses and the economy. Some residents, on the other hand, argue that the illegal rentals are taking away housing from Oahu residents, disturbing the peace, overtaxing the infrastructure, and increasing crime rates.  Finally, there are some people who would not mind seeing the rentals become legal provided that they pay their General Excise taxes and Transient Accommodation taxes, something that most illegal operators are not currently doing.

Anderson stated, "At this point the only thing that's clear is there is no solid, definitive answer as to how to solve this problem. I'm not going to stand up here today and come to any predetermined conclusion or be closed-minded on any proposal that comes forward either from my colleagues, their communities or from the mayor."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 1-3-2015, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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