Some Major Apt. Owners Open to Home Sharing

Bibby: “Short-term rentals have sparked lively debates among multifamily firms, and reactions cut across the spectrum.” (Photo: REIT.com)

WASHINGTON, DC—As Airbnb has announced a revenue-sharing program for apartment landlords, the National Multifamily Housing Council says one-third of its members surveyed would be open to implementing such a partnership, although 42% said they wouldn’t be interested. Airbnb’s Jaja Jackson gave an exclusive briefing on the program, known as Airbnb Friendly Buildings, to an audience of leading apartment executives at NMHC’s fall board of directors meeting Tuesday.

“Many in the apartment industry have been watching the growth in the short-term rental industry through platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, FlipKey and others with mixed feelings,” according to an NMHC blog posting. “There’s question over the legality of such activity in certain jurisdictions, as well concerns related to liability, insurance and community security, to name a few. But there’s also potential opportunity to leverage the trend to grow ancillary income and reduce vacancy costs.”