Ohio REALTOR Members Testify in Support of Short-Term Rentals
Anastasia Kotkovskaya, Ohio REALTORS Manager, Advocacy and Research
Members of Ohio REALTORS® Mark Remeis and Dawn Arheit testified before the Senate Local Government Committee in support of Senate Bill (SB) 104, a bill to address short-term rental regulations. Introduced by Senator Andrew Brenner, this legislation seeks to protect property owners and managers of short-term rentals from burdensome local government regulations.
Short-term rentals provide property owners with a valuable opportunity to generate income, enhancing their ability to maintain and invest in their property. They also offer flexible accommodation options for individuals who may struggle to find suitable housing, contributing to a diverse and accessible housing market. Unfortunately, over the past several years, there has been an increasing number of local municipalities and townships across the state that have imposed regulations and restrictions on short-term rentals.
To safeguard the rights of business owners and private property holders, SB 104 proposes to limit the authority of townships, counties, and municipal corporations to impose regulations that could restrict the operation of short-term rentals in the state.
During his testimony, Remeis emphasized the importance of allowing the free market to determine the need for short-term rentals. He shared in his testimony:
The open market and future renters will dictate whether a specific use for a property is the best use for it. If nobody stayed at my short-term rental and there was no demand for the product, I would be forced to change the use or even sell. Government should not intervene in decisions involving private property and further should not restrict homeowners from using the property in a way that best benefits their families. Instead, the free market determines the best use for a property.
In her testimony, Arheit shared how short-term rentals have positively impacted communities. She stated:
I have seen how short-term rentals have benefited communities by attracting visitors, who drive economic activity by frequenting local businesses. Additionally, through my own short-term rentals, I have seen the draw to my community from nonresidents.
As a REALTOR®, I am passionate about fostering housing opportunities and nurturing safe neighborhoods. My commitment to enhancing communities drives every aspect of my business. I firmly believe that short-term rentals are an asset to our neighborhoods and provide great benefits to our local economies.
Ohio REALTORS® believes that every Ohioan should have the right to use and enjoy their private property without excessive government interference, and governments that impose excessive regulations or outright bans on short-term rentals infringe upon the fundamental principles of private property rights.
More information about this legislation can be found here: 136 General Assembly | Senate Bill 104