Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn announced this week that he is eager to begin discussions regarding Mayor Walsh’s recently filed ordinance on short term-rental platforms in the City of Boston. Flynn praised Mayor Walsh for his actions to address the issues related to short-term rentals, which impact neighborhoods throughout the city. Boston must look to close any potential loopholes and ensure this ordinance protects our neighborhoods from large corporations depleting our housing stock.
Specifically, Flynn will look closely at the “investor unit” classification, noting other cities like Nashville have voted to eliminate the entry of new investors, as well as setting a timetable for current investors to exit the market. Moreover, Flynn will study whether the 90 day limit on rentals is appropriate.
Flynn said, “Mayor Walsh has shown strong leadership in taking this step to address the issues pertaining to short-term rental platforms in Boston. It has become clear that high concentrations of corporate, short-term rentals are increasing costs and driving displacement in our neighborhoods. There are public safety and quality-of-life issues that must be addressed as well.”
“We must also focus on absentee landlords skirting the rooming house laws – essentially creating mini-hotels for profit. These actions gouge the rental market and create a shortage of rents that working people can afford.”
Flynn cited data compiled by the Alliance for Downtown Civic Organizations (ADCO), which concluded:
- Chinatown is experiencing the most rapid AirBnB growth – three times that of Boston and 37 percent annual growth.
- Boston’s ownership/listing concentration statistics nearly double those of New York and Washington, D.C.
- The number of AirBnB units owned by multi-neighborhood hosts is almost four times the average for other major U.S. cities, stressing the residential fabric of our communities.
Flynn conveyed that he would work closely with his colleagues on the City Council to examine both the “investor unit” classification and the 90 day limit on rentals. In addition, Flynn would look at registration and public safety inspection requirements for the city.
Flynn said, “It is my hope that this regulation will strike the appropriate balance and begin to alleviate the concerns of our residents regarding the rental market, the public safety aspect and quality of life issues that have arisen, and maintaining the residential feel of our neighborhoods.”
Again…focusing on a micro issue that when solved will have little to no impact on residents that he represents. What about the T? No comment?
The T is run by the State…(He’s a CITY councilor) –maybe you are in fact NEW to the hood????
That is the exact mentality that has us in the situation we are in “not my responsibility not my problem”….maybe if he did the T challenge he’d have a few gripes himself.
Not so new..you seem to have a opinion about every subject (MOSTLY NEGATIVE). I’ve got a idea, why don’t you run for the open Senate seat and see how many votes you get! Your as popular at the FLU..
Would you rather have the T adequately serving its customers or more regulation on AirBnB (which is mostly and Chinatown issue according to this article)? Sounds like a constructive opinion to me.
Many many people afford to love in Boston, or are able to save more money and change their lives, by renting a room in their home on AirBNB. I understand not renting entire units, but limiting homeowners and owners in consenting condo buildings to 90 days is overkill. I’ve never met anyone effected negatively by an airbnb guest in their neighborhood.
Steve – let me introduce myself…a resident who has had to live with weekend long partying and loud nights due to airBNB rentals in my neighborhood – Bachelor/bachelorette party rentals…a real disruption to our quality of life –
Thrilled this is being addressed!
How are you so sure that AirBnB is the cause? You’re saying it’s preposterous to assume that your neighbors are young folk who like to have a good time and may be louder than you can tolerate?
Air BnB’s add nothing to the neighborhood. They’re unregulated, unlicensed rooming houses. I’m glad that Ed Flynn is looking into this.