Had enough - War has been declared on AirBnB renters

I'm up at 4 am because wife came home and we had a "animated conversation." Seems we've organized a four-pay retreat in June to help build our early season traffic, and one of the attendees has chosen to rent at an AirBnB rental our neighbor across the street has apparently set up rather than a room in our facility, where the event is being held.
So we've determined this "guest" will not be eating breakfasts with the rest of the attendees, and we're going to do our best to politely but firmly make sure she doesn't avail herself of any snacks or other free amenities our guests get to use (bathroom excluded). I argued that when big hotels host events, they accept that some attendees won't stay with them, but they're getting incremental business and can't expect to get everyone. Mrs Phineas disagrees violently.
So this morning, I've declared war on AirBnB. I've created a new google mail account, and have become the crusading avenger. I went online and was able to quickly recognize two house rentals (my neighbor and one 2 miles away). I've turned them in to the state tax department and health department. I told the tax department that based on the number of reviews, they owe the state money and they need to send out a collection/enforcement letter. (I was shocked than in Vermont, you don't have to pay lodging tax unless you rent for more than 15 days in a calendar year -- gotta get that changed!) I told the health department neither rental is being inspected, and that needs to change ASAP.
I'm going back to the web looking for more. I'm going to print out photos of the houses and hosts, and look for them. The line has been crossed. No further. Now back for a second cup of coffee

Fight the good fight!

Been doing this for years. We taught the local enforcement how to find people as well.

Darren I read my thinkdaily for today and all I could see was YOU. Read it here.

Generic said:

Been doing this for years. We taught the local enforcement how to find people as well..

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Generic said:

Been doing this for years. We taught the local enforcement how to find people as well.

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Someone has to want to do the policing, tho. No one here cares. Even when the folks across the street didn't renew their license no one shut them down.

Awesome!

my trouble here is I said we will tell you who they are so you can inspect they said we don't have time - even when offered them on a plate!

Jcam said:

my trouble here is I said we will tell you who they are so you can inspect they said we don't have time - even when offered them on a plate!.

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That is the same for us.
Yet they came after us when we did not come for a licence in Jan when hubby broke his foot and leg. We told then that we were not sure if we were going to open. Again this year they have once more have not gone after air B&B homes. Just to darn lazy I say. But am confused to why they are not taking action.

I understand and sympathize - but I think you are making a mistake in trying to 'punish' the person staying at the air place. If it's not a requirement to stay with you to attend, then it's not. I assume they did this because of cost?
Breakfast denied? Understood. Offer to let them pay for breakfast so they can be with the other attendees. Or not. But snacks and other amenities during the retreat? How will you police this? If I was attending and staying with you, I'd be extremely uncomfortable if you were to monitor the nonstaying attendee. And I would not want to stay with an angry host - no matter who they were angry with.
I assume that by June you will have calmed down.
If I were you, I'd be your gracious self in dealing with all attendees. You want them to see the value in staying with you, make them wish they had chosen to.
Fight with the air places and your officials. Not the attendee.
My two cents.

seashanty said:

I understand and sympathize - but I think you are making a mistake in trying to 'punish' the person staying at the air place. If it's not a requirement to stay with you to attend, then it's not. I assume they did this because of cost?
Breakfast denied? Understood. Offer to let them pay for breakfast so they can be with the other attendees. Or not. But snacks and other amenities during the retreat? How will you police this? If I was attending and staying with you, I'd be extremely uncomfortable if you were to monitor the nonstaying attendee. And I would not want to stay with an angry host - no matter who they were angry with.
I assume that by June you will have calmed down.
If I were you, I'd be your gracious self in dealing with all attendees. You want them to see the value in staying with you, make them wish they had chosen to.
Fight with the air places and your officials. Not the attendee.
My two cents..

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seashanty said:

I understand and sympathize - but I think you are making a mistake in trying to 'punish' the person staying at the air place. If it's not a requirement to stay with you to attend, then it's not. I assume they did this because of cost?
Breakfast denied? Understood. Offer to let them pay for breakfast so they can be with the other attendees. Or not. But snacks and other amenities during the retreat? How will you police this? If I was attending and staying with you, I'd be extremely uncomfortable if you were to monitor the nonstaying attendee. And I would not want to stay with an angry host - no matter who they were angry with.
I assume that by June you will have calmed down.
If I were you, I'd be your gracious self in dealing with all attendees. You want them to see the value in staying with you, make them wish they had chosen to.
Fight with the air places and your officials. Not the attendee.
My two cents.

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Sensible advice.

Good for you on the AIR fight. I wish you much success. I do agree with Seashanty re the guest though.
Having helped plan Conferences I can tell you the hotels requite xx guaranteed room nights for the Conference. I was the feet on the ground for our B & B Conference in 2002. We expected it to be the best attended since it was easy access (near 2 Interstates) and near the greatest number of our members and would be 2-nights stay for the event.
#1 hit: some of the "better off" financially who pushed for this particular venue booked a couple of the cute houses on the venue to share - those rooms did not count toward the total guaranteed. I think that was 12 room nights.
#2 - 9-11 destroyed the Fall, Leaf-peeping, and ski seasons. It was going to be one of the smallest attendance Conferences - AND the Association was on the hook to pay for the guaranteed room nights.
I got lucky - there was a billiard tournament that wanted our space. The resort called me with a request to change space, telling me how many rooms had not been booked (I think to scare me) and a slight offer in cost reduction or meals. I asked how long I had to decide and was told 1 week. At the end of the week THEY called me back and offered to forget the room night guarantee and we would only be charged for the food. We moved and came out OK financially.
THAT is why hotels do not worry about people who do not stay with them - the client/conference will be paying for xx rooms no matter what. (Unless they have a chance to make bigger bucks from someone else.)

Already got a response from the Revenue Department, saying "we do take these emails seriously. Thank you."
May never know if they follow up, but i figure if they get the landlord, mailing address and the AirBnB page with reviews showing all the people who've stayed, all they should have to do is write the letter and lick the stamp.
Health Department? That may be a tougher nut. They're already understaffed here now.
Any other bureaucrats I should sic on them?

PhineasSwann said:

Already got a response from the Revenue Department, saying "we do take these emails seriously. Thank you."
May never know if they follow up, but i figure if they get the landlord, mailing address and the AirBnB page with reviews showing all the people who've stayed, all they should have to do is write the letter and lick the stamp.
Health Department? That may be a tougher nut. They're already understaffed here now.
Any other bureaucrats I should sic on them?.

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IF you are willing to spend the time doing the calculations - do a estimated $$$$ lost in taxes and fees and send it to your State Legislators. IF they are like ours, they are looking for $$$. Point out if your area is losing this much, how much is being lost all over the State? Health Dept. fees, taxes collected, license fees plus the extra taxes that may be collected from the insurance companies insuring these places with the increase in their revenues.
Whatever you are paying that they are not since they are under the table.

seashanty said:

I understand and sympathize - but I think you are making a mistake in trying to 'punish' the person staying at the air place. If it's not a requirement to stay with you to attend, then it's not. I assume they did this because of cost?
Breakfast denied? Understood. Offer to let them pay for breakfast so they can be with the other attendees. Or not. But snacks and other amenities during the retreat? How will you police this? If I was attending and staying with you, I'd be extremely uncomfortable if you were to monitor the nonstaying attendee. And I would not want to stay with an angry host - no matter who they were angry with.
I assume that by June you will have calmed down.
If I were you, I'd be your gracious self in dealing with all attendees. You want them to see the value in staying with you, make them wish they had chosen to.
Fight with the air places and your officials. Not the attendee.
My two cents..

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Go one step further - offer breakfast, at a price, in advance. Let the committee chair know a couple of days ahead that breakfast will be available at $12/person for attendees who are not staying overnight. Without mention of where they were staying; some could be locals.
Could backfire for future group meetings. But maybe not. Groups generally like being together for FOMO.

We require wedding couples to be responsible for filling our 9 rooms. If they don't, then they have to cover it. Wife is just upset I didn't get the same in the contract for this group -- a group she initially solicited BTW.

PhineasSwann said:

We require wedding couples to be responsible for filling our 9 rooms. If they don't, then they have to cover it. Wife is just upset I didn't get the same in the contract for this group -- a group she initially solicited BTW..

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Ah, I hate when we're not on the same page here.

Virginia moves to legitimize Airbnb; some call for stronger regulation some news today

JBloggs said:

Virginia moves to legitimize Airbnb; some call for stronger regulation some news today.

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So she home-schools a "special needs" kid. How does that prevent her from being required to get a license and go through the hoops as a B & B. Could it be that the room in the basement would not meet Codes?
None of them seem to understand it is NOT competition we are afraid of - we just want them to do the hoops and licenses a legitimate business must do.

PhineasSwann said:

We require wedding couples to be responsible for filling our 9 rooms. If they don't, then they have to cover it. Wife is just upset I didn't get the same in the contract for this group -- a group she initially solicited BTW..

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PhineasSwann said:

We require wedding couples to be responsible for filling our 9 rooms. If they don't, then they have to cover it. Wife is just upset I didn't get the same in the contract for this group -- a group she initially solicited BTW.

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Boy don't I know the feeling of not being on top of things when I work with someone on a new event. I have forgotten important things in negotiations - things I KNOW need to be included. Later I could kick myself and try to before DH gets his chance!

Morticia said:

seashanty said:

I understand and sympathize - but I think you are making a mistake in trying to 'punish' the person staying at the air place. If it's not a requirement to stay with you to attend, then it's not. I assume they did this because of cost?
Breakfast denied? Understood. Offer to let them pay for breakfast so they can be with the other attendees. Or not. But snacks and other amenities during the retreat? How will you police this? If I was attending and staying with you, I'd be extremely uncomfortable if you were to monitor the nonstaying attendee. And I would not want to stay with an angry host - no matter who they were angry with.
I assume that by June you will have calmed down.
If I were you, I'd be your gracious self in dealing with all attendees. You want them to see the value in staying with you, make them wish they had chosen to.
Fight with the air places and your officials. Not the attendee.
My two cents..

Click to expand...

Go one step further - offer breakfast, at a price, in advance. Let the committee chair know a couple of days ahead that breakfast will be available at $12/person for attendees who are not staying overnight. Without mention of where they were staying; some could be locals.
Could backfire for future group meetings. But maybe not. Groups generally like being together for FOMO.
.

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$12 a person? Try $25 There's a premium to be paid when you opt and choose ala carte.