Regulation and compliance

As professional hosts, we put a lot of trust in Airbnb—not just in their platform, but also in the Support team that’s supposed to back us up when things go wrong. Unfortunately, that trust doesn’t always hold.

Recently, we experienced a situation that highlights a difficult truth: Airbnb’s conduct is not always consistent, and some of their representatives lack the training or experience needed to properly apply the platform’s own policies.

At StellarStay, we’re passionate about creating amazing experiences for our guests, and we truly enjoy going the extra mile whenever we can. We love seeing families and friends come together, and we know that plans sometimes shift. However, there are moments when we have to gently say “no”—not because we want to, but because we’re bound by platform policies and the responsibility we carry as stewards of someone’s home.

Leaving a review after your stay is one of the most helpful things you can do — both for fellow travelers and for the hosts who put their heart into creating memorable experiences. But when it comes to Airbnb’s Accuracy category, many guests aren’t quite sure what they’re really being asked to rate.

We take great pride in providing our guests with luxurious and comfortable retreats across various locations in multiple states, all while maintaining respectful relationships with the local communities. Unfortunately, a recent experience at one of these properties, The Stilt House, has underscored the vital importance of adhering to house rules, local laws, and rental platform policies.

Recently, one of our guests, Stephen, faced a challenging situation. Due to severe weather, his flight was canceled, preventing him from reaching The Park House. Unfortunately, Airbnb determined that Stephen’s situation did not qualify for their Major Disruptive Events policy, which can sometimes provide compensation for extraordinary circumstances. Stephen also didn’t have travel insurance to cover his unexpected expenses and, despite our offer to cancel his reservation as soon as possible so we could try to rebook the dates, he chose to keep the booking active. Since his reservation wasn’t canceled, it was considered a standard booking, and we received the full payment as usual, even though Stephen never made it to the property.

Here at StellarStay, we’re passionate about creating truly special stays for our guests, but every now and then, we have to make tough decisions to protect the quality experience we promise. Recently, a guest named Roy booked with us, requested an early check-in, questioned the cleaning fee, and asked for further discounts on what was already a great rate. When we politely declined and chose to cancel his reservation, he seemed surprised and even apologized, hoping to rebook. While we’re grateful for his interest, we ultimately decided it was best to stand by our decision.

Come July 1, 2024, Californian short-term rental marketplaces will see a significant change in how they advertise their properties. Thanks to Assembly Bill No. 537, signed into law in October 2023, short-term lodging providers will need to ensure their advertised rates include all mandatory fees and charges, with the exception of government taxes and fees.

As HomieBees LLC we are proactively adjusting our practices to comply with the new legislation. Let's delve into what this law entails and how it will affect both rental platforms and consumers.

Join us for a pivotal moment in Colorado legislation! On Tuesday, April 16th, mark your calendars for the Colorado Senate Finance Committee Hearing on SB 33. This proposed bill has significant implications for short-term rental (STR) hosts, potentially skyrocketing property taxes by up to 400 percent. By reclassifying STR properties as commercial rather than residential, it threatens the economic stability of residents and communities reliant on tourism.

Here are the details: 

In the early days of January, an important legislative development took place with the introduction of the proposed property tax treatment bill for short-term rentals (STRs), known as SB24-033, in the Colorado Legislature. It is our privilege to inform you that SB24-033 is scheduled for its inaugural hearing before the Colorado Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, February 20 (though subject to potential changes).

The Colorado Interim Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning Tax Policy is currently reviewing a proposed piece of legislation that would alter the tax classification for specific short-term vacation rental properties. Under this proposal, known as the Lodging Property Tax Treatment bill, short-term rentals (STRs) that are rented for 90 days or more would be subject to the lodging tax rate, placing them on the same taxation level as hotels and bed and breakfast properties.