All Forum Posts by: George P.

    Well I closed on my first vacation rental property last week, a huge place down in Indio, CA (about 30 minutes south of Palm Springs).  I've been rushing like mad to get it listed, furnished, etc. for the upcoming Coachella Festival.  I got the listing live a week ago, and just booked 4 nights for week 1 of Coachella (despite the fact I don't even have bedroom or living room pictures live yet, as I'm still furnishing).  Gross rental rate for the 4 nights of $14,245.  I'll clear about $10k after prop management fees, cleaning, etc.

    Success is easy when there's a giant festival 1.5 miles from your house, and I've got my work cut out for me making this a year-round destination for vacationers, group gatherings, events, workshops, and possibly even wedding.....but hey, off to a strong start!

    I'm sure next year when I've further improved the property, marketed ahead of time, and have some reputation we'll get at least twice that for each of the Coachella weeks!

Under the federal Fair Housing Act, landlords who live in a property with four or fewer rental units (this would include airbnb rooms) are exempt from all but one aspect of the federal law: They may not advertise in a way that indicates a preference for (or against) members of a protected class (race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status and disability). And, there is an exception even to the exemption: You may advertise for a lodger of a specific sex (and you don't have to specify your own sex).

So, for example, your ad can say, "Female roomer wanted," but it could not say, "Christian roomer wanted."

So the airbnb owner would be covered by the law as long as they do not make a discriminatory statements.

Um, I would imagine he might just want to bypass the agent fees no? He apparently is an investor having a good handful of properties. Told me he's worked for/studied under trump. Idk but if imagine most experienced investors bypass realtors no?

@George P.

I have not researched it either. My gut tells me that even if you are offering a room in your house to the public, then it should follow the same fair housing laws as if you were renting the whole house. It's different than if you were renting a room to a friend and you have a private agreement with that person. In that case, you can be as picky as you want. Putting a room up on Airbnb is offering it to the public.

If you are putting your home out for rent under any situation, then you should follow the laws.