M
ost of the country is struggling with unlicensed short-term rental properties taking business away from the
legitimate licensed bed and breakfast inn properties. This legislative session in Florida will be a test to see if Florida legislatures will stand up for licensed properties and level the playing field.
For many years Florida Inns has been advocating for a level playing field for licensed inn properties. Senate Bill SB1640 seems to incorporate most of the elements that will help licensed inns. You can read the bill in its entirety here.
Florida Inns, along with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association & Visit Florida will be in Tallahassee to support this legislation. Maybe other states can use this as a model to help their licensed properties align.
Highlights of SB1640
Submitted by Senator Simmons - Short Term Rentals
1.Display valid Certificate of Registration in all advertising and online platforms.
1.Required inspection for Vacation Rentals.
2.Require hosting platforms to register with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
3.Prohibit Hosting Platforms from making specified transactions for unregistered properties with penalties.
4.Hosting Platforms to collect and remit state and local taxes.
5.Ability to share information with Department of Revenue.
6.Hosting Platforms to maintain and transmit for audit rented properties.
7.For each lodging Hosting Platform to submit for audit:
8.Name of Property, License Number, Address
Detailed period of rental, Itemized amounts collected, Transmit every 3 months
This is a good place to start and have everyone be accountable.
Let Your Voice Be Heard In Your State.
Get on Board
THE ADVOCACY BATTLE SHIP
Finally a Florida Senate Bill that
will help Licensed Rental Properties
By Pattie Detwiler,
Executive Director, Florida Inns
Patricia Detwiler,
Consultant/Realtor
Bed and Breakfast Consultant