Summer’s here, and that means plenty of opportunity — and risk — awaits beach-house owners who would like to rent out their dwellings over the short term.
Reservations at Airbnb are up sharply year-over-year for beachside destinations, at home and abroad. Havana, Cuba — where you can rent a swanky seaside home for $526 a night — has experienced a 940 percent increase in bookings.
In the U.S., travelers are interested in Destin, Florida, where Airbnb reservations climbed by 232 percent from last year. There, a two-bedroom condo with private beach access will run for $229 a night.
Though these short-term rentals can be lucrative, homeowners and renters should do their homework before listing their properties.
Failure to do so can put you on the wrong side of local zoning regulations, your landlord or your homeowners association. In the worst of scenarios, your insurance policy may not cover any property damage incurred while you’re hosting.
“The prospect of side income is very exciting, but there are serious legal issues,” said Ron Leshnower, a New York-based real estate attorney and author. “You can’t just try hosting guests and then postpone your research.”
Here are the five greatest risks to hosts who invite summer guests into their homes.