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Scumandvillany t1_jeee0o9 wrote

I'm sorry, but this person Romero sounds like a self centered jerkoff and an idiot. Like who throws all their eggs into one basket or Airbnb rentals? "I'm looking for a job" yeah ya fuckin dumbass you should've already had one. I do think the regs could be a little better, and it should be easier to get a permit to operate, as long as there's safeguards for complaints etc to protect rowhouse blocks from idiot Airbnb renters.

I do think there's lots of property locked up in this short term game and it will be interesting so see how many properties come on the market because of this. I don't think it will be crazy and affect the market that much, but it will have some impact.

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silchi t1_jeej6rc wrote

What funny is that Romero has been interviewed for articles in the past - as in, months to a year ago I remember seeing her name and the same line of ”I’m lookin for a job!”

She had no intention of getting a job. She’s been complaining about the unfairness of it all for at least a year - despite the fact that there’s been plenty of advance warning that the axe was coming.

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CthulhusIntern t1_jeeotre wrote

If you're running a business without a license, doing interviews doesn't seem like the best idea, but that's just me.

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Show-me-the-banana t1_jeeeqba wrote

I thought the same thing. They also seemed to know about the need for a permit before they put their livelihood into this “business” but was hoping it wouldn’t come up.

Hope is not a strategy and it sounds like they would be better off in Florida. Bye!

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illy-chan t1_jeeiuc8 wrote

Honestly, even if she desperately wants to rely on Airbnb... then get the required permits? And follow regulations?

Just because it's not the wild west anymore doesn't mean it's banned.

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dude_catastrophe t1_jeeklld wrote

I think the problem is getting variances for zoning on the Air BnB properties where they don’t live. Variances are not guaranteed and applying for them are time-consuming and costly. Based on the new rules the zoning needs to be a certain way if you don’t live in the property. If it’s not zoned correctly, then you have to do a typical leasing arrangement and all the paperwork and clearances that go with it. Pre-regulation changes, Air BnB just made it easier to circumvent a lot of the requirements and costs associated with leasing out property.

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Trafficsigntruther t1_jeekgfr wrote

> Just because it's not the wild west anymore doesn't mean it's banned.

It’s pretty much banned unless you get a zoning variance. So…banned.

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illy-chan t1_jeelxp2 wrote

Sounds like she wouldn't need the variance since she lives on site. Just a permit. Which she could have applied for at any point between 2015 and when the city finally announced they were going to enforce the law.

Also, anyone who says “Maybe I’ll just sell [the triplex] and move to Florida, where I can do business without the government being insane,” sounds like a nut to me.

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666Pack t1_jeemiyz wrote

From the article:

>To operate Airbnb rentals outside of a primary residence — whether in the second unit of a duplex or in a house across town — would require a hotel license.

I'm assuming the hotel license is the variance that people are referring to?

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illy-chan t1_jeencgv wrote

Thanks for the catch. Edited my comment.

I'm still not especially sympathetic that she didn't even try to apply until the 11th hour. January had already been an extension of the deadline. It's not like the law was signed in December.

It's not unreasonable for the city to ask a business to have permits to use private housing like that.

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Zhuul t1_jeepwgi wrote

Seriously. Both times I’ve rented one In Wildwood they had a certificate hanging up saying they’re a licensed business and the person running it was SUPER professional. People like this Romero character are what’s wrong with the rental market.

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666Pack t1_jeeo1zj wrote

Agreed. I have noticed her name in previous articles, as others have, and she seems like a knucklehead.

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uptimefordays t1_jeetxlv wrote

> To operate Airbnb rentals outside of a primary residence — whether in the second unit of a duplex or in a house across town — would require a hotel license.

Honestly, not unreasonable. People living in what are supposed to be apartments, condos, coops, etc. have a right to not live in a hotel.

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Trafficsigntruther t1_jeevvbj wrote

Ironically, those are the properties that can get a hotel license under the city’s regulations.

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uptimefordays t1_jeewalr wrote

I'd imagine it depends on the HOA but am by no means an expert! It's just my opinion that people living in what are supposed to be residential dwellings have some reasonable expectation that whatever kind of structure they live in isn't a hotel.

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Trafficsigntruther t1_jefbt89 wrote

Yes, the HOA might have their own restrictions, but they are the type of zoning (RMX2 and 3) that the city allows visitor accommodations by right.

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Trafficsigntruther t1_jeeuys9 wrote

To get a hotel license the property needs to be zoned for limited lodging visitor accommodation. It requires a variance for most properties in the city.

Basically needs to be RMX-2 or 3 or CMX-3 or CMX-4 for by right zoning use.

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MxEmDarcy t1_jegiywp wrote

This is correct. I am having some confusion around this as originally I lived in the unit, but I bought a new home after and got a rental licence for my unit, however EVEN after I asked, I was not told new zoning was needed. I had a limited lodging licence, then switched to a rental but the zoning wasn't changed as it wasn't mentioned when I asked L&I what was it they needed 🤦🏻‍♀️

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waterboy1321 t1_jeewyr4 wrote

It’s also one of those types of stories where the tighter regulations help everyone but the people who have been raking in cash in an unregulated market, but all we’re going to hear about is how it’s hurting the people who were raking in cash.

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