Detroit Could Regulate Airbnb in Response to Resident Complaints

A proposed ordinance that would regulate Airbnb and other short-term rentals is causing some controversy among homeowners and short-term leasers in Detroit. 

According to Detroit Councilmember Janeé Ayers, residents have expressed their annoyance and frustration with neighborhood disruption caused by temporary rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo. Complaints have included issues with parking for residents, noisy parties, neglected trash and disrespectful attitudes. 

Because of these complaints, Ayers has spearheaded a policy she hopes will increase safety and maintain property value and quality of life for residents.

The proposal has been met with pushback. Sharing Detroit, a collective of short-term rental owners, managers and contractors, is one group gathering troops and speaking out against the proposed policy. They started a GoFundMe page to hire a consulting firm that will assist in their efforts to shut the ordinance down. 

Click on the player above to hear Crain’s reporter Annalise Frank speaking with CultureShift’s Ryan Patrick Hooper about the controversy surrounding short-term rentals in Detroit.