Hundreds of rent-controlled units are being illegally rented out as short-term rentals, pushing out long-term renters and exacerbating the city’s housing crisis.
1940 Carmen Avenue is at the center of a dispute over short-term rentals in Los Angeles. | Google Maps / 1940 Carmen Ave.
In an article for ProPublica, Robin Urevich and Haru Coryne reveal that many of Los Angeles’ short-term rental units could be rent-controlled apartments rented out in violation of a 2018 law.
“In some cases, entire apartment buildings with more than 30 units are listed as boutique hotels on sites like Hotels.com and Booking.com,” according to a ProPublica and Capital & Main investigation. “By analyzing city databases and combing through online listings, the news organizations found 63 rent-controlled buildings where a tourist could book a room this spring. The number is likely far higher because many vacation rental websites like Airbnb don’t list exact addresses,” the article adds.
Meanwhile, the city’s enforcement system is “riddled with inefficiencies and shortcomings,” making it difficult to preserve affordable housing in a city with high levels of tourism. While the planning department uses an automated system to detect listings in potential violation of the law, the department admits it doesn’t have the capacity to follow up on most cases.
According to the article, “The City Council is expected to vote on recommendations to tighten the home-sharing ordinance later this year. The ideas include allowing individuals to sue violators, creating a home-sharing enforcement team made up of staff from different city departments and offering residents rewards for reporting neighbors who violate the ordinance.”
FULL STORY: In Los Angeles, Your Chic Vacation Rental May Be a Rent-Controlled Apartment
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 in ProPublica
Housing California Los Angeles Short-Term Rentals Airbnb VRBO Hotels Hotel Tax Rent Control Housing Supply Housing Crisis Rent View More
You Might Also Like
Less than half of submissions to the city’s new application process have been approved under new short-term rental regulations.
October 24, 2023 - Crain's New York Business
The new rules are an attempt to get a handle on the short-term rental industry, which, due in part to little enforcement of existing regulations, has yielded ‘bad actors.’
January 1, 2023 - The Philadelphia Inquirer
A City Council decision on short-term rental regulations reverses the decision of the City Planning Commission.
November 7, 2018 - Los Angeles Times
Most Read
Under the new law, cities cannot require charging infrastructure in local codes.
July 28, 2024 - JD Supra
The boom is happening in some unexpected areas.
July 30, 2024 - Los Angeles Times
An affordable housing developer explains the hurdles to building more housing for middle-income households.
July 31, 2024 - Greater Greater Washington
Latest News
In the first legal challenges since June’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that cities can enforce outdoor sleeping bans, the ACLU filed a lawsuit alleging Washington’s anti-camping laws violate the state constitution.
10 seconds ago - Associated Press via ABC News
There's no one way to determine what makes “green” housing. Here's a breakdown of the standards and considerations used by the affordable housing industry.
1 hour ago - Shelterforce Magazine
The proposed rail line would connect Chicago to Pittsburgh.
2 hours ago - Highland County Press
Advertise with us
Jobs
Video Producer and Editor
Planetizen
Associate or Senior Associate Position
BAE Urban Economics, INC.
Data and Digital Services Data Analyst
Caltrans
Advertise with us
Events
Register Now: Mpact Transit + Community 2024 Philadelphia
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
City of Burbank launches AI-powered Instant Permitting
City of Burbank
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
RFPs and RFQs
Regional Active Transportation Plan Update
Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG)
Parking Requirement Updates-UZC
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
RFP 1636 - Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission - Feasibility Study for a Central Pine Barrens Nature Center
Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning & Policy Commission
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
View More
