wilbur
Been Around the Block
 
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Hello
Mar 30, 2016 2:47:19 GMT
via mobile
Post by wilbur on Mar 30, 2016 2:47:19 GMT
I'm from Las Vegas. Iv been a host for more than 2 years now at Airbnb. Just today I had to cancel all my short term reservations and updated my listings to long term (28 days min). The sudden change in my decision was due to the fact that on the early morning of Easter, past 3 am, a police officer knocked on my door and woke me up. Once I was out, he berated me with questions, literally shouting at me, accused me of scratching my neighbors car which was parked infront of my house. He also pointed out and asked about the illegalities of my guests coming in and out, how noisy they are, which of course was all exaggerated and full of lies. I live on the property and I have had the most professional, respectful and considerate guests. Obviously, the cop is a friend or was corrupted by my neighbors that is why he acted that way towards me like I'm being scolded and convicted. He even threatened me that I can lose my house if I continue with the short term rental. I told him that what he was doing was harassment at 3 am with no complaint report and no proof whatsoever. Eventually he let me go inside and even told me that if he can prove anything I would have been in hand cuffs by then. I was rattled and shocked and realized that not only was there corrupt cops in the third world where I came from but it also exist in las Vegas. My neighbor who snitched on me has been bullying me for a few months already. It started when they parked an old car, which i later found out was not even theirs but a friend's, infront of my house. It was there for more than a week. Now anyone who owns a house would start to wonder and worry whos car it belongs to, right? When the son went out one time to check on the car after 5 days, i approached him and told him that it is illegal to park more than 48 hours on the street specially without moving it. I wouldn't mind if I knew it was them but who would know if that is a drug related abandoned car? That started their fascination towards my business and started talking to my guests and eventually trying to harass me about this business. I tried to downplay everything but it aeems they really want to prove they are the bully and can shame me when they want. After the confrontation with this cop and the initial shock I came to realize that I don't need the aggravation and stress just to earn extra money. I asked Airbnb for help and they offered very little support nor empathy which only proves that they are just here for the commission. I am taking my chances with Lyft and Uber and have put my profile in long term for now. I hope all you hostbin las Vegas know what you're getting into and good luck!
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Hello
Mar 30, 2016 5:36:27 GMT
Post by High Priestess on Mar 30, 2016 5:36:27 GMT
REally sorry to hear about that, Ron. This is police harassment and if I were you I would file a complaint with the local police department about this. Unless short term rentals are a misdemneanor crime in your area, what kind of rentals you are doing is by no means a matter for the police. In my area, people are suing police right and left and so police generally would not be stupid enough to do things like this only to open themselves up to more lawsuits. Yet I have heard that things are difficult for hosts in Las Vegas as the city seems determined to crack down on short term rental hosts. Read this post which I obtained I think from a Las Vegas Airbnb hosts group globalhosting.freeforums.net/thread/731/hosts-vegas-hunted-municipal-agencies
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wilbur
Been Around the Block
 
Posts: 5
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Hello
Mar 30, 2016 21:34:40 GMT
Post by wilbur on Mar 30, 2016 21:34:40 GMT
Thanks Deborah. I dont know if having short term rentals in las vegas is a misdemeanor but i know operating a business (just like bed and breakfast or short term rental) doesnt matter what kind, without a license is a misdemeanor. Whats funny is if its long term rental, you dont need a license. This is the monopoly and manipulative power of the hotels working for their advantage in this city. I am going to file a complaint although i know it will be swept under the rug anyway, i just want it for the record, in case it happens again.
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Hello
Mar 30, 2016 22:59:35 GMT
Post by High Priestess on Mar 30, 2016 22:59:35 GMT
As I see it, regardless whether you rent short term or long term, you are operating a business --- so I cannot understand why one would need a license for the short term rentals but not for the long. And for it to be a misdemeanor to operate without a license, that is ridiculous government tyranny in my view. Lacking paperwork does not amount to a crime.
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wilbur
Been Around the Block
 
Posts: 5
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Hello
Mar 31, 2016 18:58:47 GMT
Post by wilbur on Mar 31, 2016 18:58:47 GMT
my neighbor who complained has room renters too and they get away by saying they are relatives. Almost all the neighbors surrounding me has tenants. Thats why there are about 10 cars parked infront of their house so they are trying to occupy the street parking infront of mine and they get pissed off when they cant use it coz my renters have cars parked there too. There was a moratorium passed by the hotels years ago about short term rentals. Of course it is solely for the big corporations' benefit what else. They want to keep the business and let us keep working for them. I am really surprised and horrified how graft and corruption are prevalent here in Vegas, more so in this country. I guess thats how naive i am with regards to this matter. Its an eye opener and i hope other hosts will not experience what happened to me.
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Hello
Apr 1, 2016 13:30:12 GMT
Post by High Priestess on Apr 1, 2016 13:30:12 GMT
It occurs to me that there is a rumor that hotels and casinos in Las Vegas are run by organized crime. I do not know the extent to which this is true. If this is true, though, that would explain why in Las Vegas in particular the "hotel lobby" might have more influence than in other cities with hotels, in terms of getting what they want and getting crooked cops to pay visits to their competition. 
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wilbur
Been Around the Block
 
Posts: 5
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Post by wilbur on Apr 6, 2016 21:11:25 GMT
The cop who harassed me at the ungodly hours of 3am was summoned by my neighbor and not the hotels. So it is my thinking that this cop is affiliated with my neighbor in some way or another.
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Hello
Apr 6, 2016 23:23:52 GMT
Post by High Priestess on Apr 6, 2016 23:23:52 GMT
Perhaps a friend of the neighbor? Or friend of a friend?
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