My opponent is using Airbnb (VRBO) in order to circumvent rent control.
While I sympathize with smaller landlords…
1. I do not wish to live near an Airbnb and many neighbors agree: the comings and goings are risk of misbehavior is an imposition.
2. Short term rentals, if widespread, will destroy the community. We’ll no longer live near neighbors and will instead live near strangers.
3. The majority of Hoboken’s affordable apartments are owned and rented by great small landlords.
4. Landlords still make a reasonable profit with rent controlled units. Those struggling can apply for hardship rent increases, pass on tax increases and other increases in cost. Often, long term tenants enabled long term landlords to purchase the building.