SPARTANBURG, SC (WSPA) — Many Spartanburg homes are listed on short-term rental sites, such as Airbnb and Vrbo.
“There are advantages to short-term renting,” Spartanburg City Attorney Robert Coler said at Monday’s meeting. “They can be beneficial if done correctly.”
These types of rentals are not permitted in Spartanburg neighborhoods. At this week’s City Council meeting, City Attorney Robert Coler outlined some options that would either continue to ban these rentals or regulate them by giving landlords rules to ensure tenants don’t disturb not neighborhoods. The board also discussed the “grandfathering” of current tenants in the policy they are creating.
“I think we have to go down the road of generally allowing them [short-term rentals] but having the flexibility to prevent bad actors from taking advantage,” Councilman Rob Rain said.
However, other council members are concerned that allowing residents to rent out their homes could put the town at risk.
“We believe, as a city, that strong neighborhoods are the lifeline and strength of our community,” Councilor Meghan Smith said.
“How can we stop the development or real estate companies that will come in and buy these properties to expand into our community?” City Councilwoman Erica Brown asked. “I have concerns about that.”
This is something Spartanburg resident Sevi Alvarez also expressed concern about.
“Spartanburg is growing very quickly and housing is becoming less affordable for people,” Alvarez said. “It seems that Airbnbs is notorious for reducing the number of homes in an area, driving up rental prices and forcing people to move.
City Council did not make a decision on short-term rentals at this week’s meeting. Coler said he would come back with more research on the subject at a later date.
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