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lex's upstairs neighbors were dancers, but it wasn't until they moved out and the unit appeared on Airbnb that noise became a problem. Short-term rentals (STRs) like those listed on Airbnb and VRBO were initially seen as flexible travel options for homeowners to supplement their income. As popularity grew, cities implemented ordinances requiring registration, primary residence requirements, and safety regulations.
Alex's apartment in Boston's South End was listed on Airbnb despite not being eligible for short-term rental permits. City records show no permit exists for the unit. Alex has since moved out due to early-morning suitcase noise. Neighbors of STRs in Boston and Cambridge don't oppose rentals in principle but are bothered by unregistered units and uncooperative neighbors.
Boston's ordinance requires owners to register units, live at the address as their primary residence, and meet other criteria. Following implementation in 2018, Airbnb sued the city over restrictions but settled, allowing registration requirements. Currently, Boston has issued 1,160 short-term rental permits. The average nightly fee in the Greater Boston area is $301.81.
Airbnb agreed to remove unregistered listings and says all must comply with local ordinances. However, not all do. Some advocates say earning passive income through STRs is easy but following regulations can be challenging. Alex's apartment was managed by I Heart Real Estate, which initially denied managing any Boston properties or current short-term rentals.
However, the agency collects rent and manages tenant relations for a property on Alex's street. Another apartment in the building was recently listed by one of I Heart Real Estate's agents. The owner, Paige Stone, said she didn't know who Airbnbqueen or other cohosts were, despite listings being linked from her company's website.
Stone's properties are hosted by Airbnbqueen on Airbnb, and property records confirm she owns the building through an LLC. A social media account featuring Stone at one of her properties links to a TikTok account offering Airbnb management coaching videos, detailing how to set up STRs with identical furnishings. This process is sometimes referred to as "Airbnb arbitrage."
