Post by High Priestess on Jan 30, 2017 16:50:49 GMT
This viewpoint was written up in the Pensacola NewsJournal:
Almost 20 years ago my husband and I opened a Bed and Breakfast in historic downtown Pensacola. For over two decades, we have respectfully complied with the many laws and rules operators must follow to maintain a license. We did so to succeed as a small business and in the interest of laws ultimately written to protect consumers.
It is extremely disheartening to see our guest numbers have gone down between 30-40 percent this year as I watch operators of short-term rentals boast of growing profits by simply posting an available room on Airbnb. None of them comply with the state-imposed laws that any licensed operator must follow. Why would they? The state does not make them and legislators have let this happen.
It’s no wonder my business is suffering. My husband and I would be fine on an even playing field. But how are we, or any other legitimate bed and breakfast in Florida supposed to compete when the regulatory standard only applies to some.