“Property in a thing consists not merely in its ownership and possession, but in the unrestricted right of use, enjoyment, and disposal. Anything which destroys any of the elements of property, to that extent, destroys the property itself. The substantial value of property lies in its use. If the right of use be denied, the value of the property is annihilated and ownership is rendered a barren right.”
Washington State Supreme Court Justice Richard B. Sanders
I would like to have your organization attention to VA SB1578. This regulation claim to regulate temperate housing but indeed, from my point of view, bluntly hurt all Virginian’s property right, benefit nobody except collect tax. Will your organization do something? Your reply will be highly appreciated.
What is VA SB1578?
Here is the link to the law: https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?171+sum+SB1578
or here: https://legiscan.com/VA/text/SB1578/id/1550939
It force all Virginians property owner to report to have permission and be taxed upon by big government to host temporary guests.
This is the Incorporated bill of SB1579.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkartch/2017/01/30/is-virginia-bill-threatening-airbnb-hosts-the-most-oppressive-in-the-nation/#2cd8c79e8751
What is VA SB1578 trying to do:
Here is the link described what SB1578 is trying to do:
http://pilotonline.com/news/government/politics/virginia/of-bills-hoped-to-address-airbnb-regulations-in-virginia-made/article_892ff404-3252-54ff-a937-455504ad2ec2.html
http://refva.org/legislative/fight-tommy-norments-airbnb-killing-bill-sb-1578-2017/
No, it is a lie that this bill is to regulate AIRBNB, no, it doesn’t even mention those companies. It burdens all Virginian property owners.
Who will benefit from Virginia SB1578?
This bill is perceived as a regulation to regulate AIRBNB or other similar websites. However, the law didn’t mention any of these websites, it came to us: all residents of Virginia. So let me break down all residents of Virginia into groups and see who benefits from this law:
First run: Temporary housing owner, Temporary housing users and all other residents.
For Temporary housing owner, now they have to register and pay a fee. Of course they won’t benefit from the law.
For Temporary housing users, the tax fees absolutely will pass to them, they won’t benefit from the law neither.
For all other residents, we need to another run to separate them into groups: Potential temporary housing owner/user and residents who will never use temporary housing.
First, for those residents who will never use temporary housing, they may not aware there is such a law, never mention they will benefit from the law. Please remember, we are already regulated under HOA, cities, counties, and other municipalities rules. So even some people of this group don’t like their neighbor doing temporary housing, they are already protected. This new law won’t give them any more benefit.
Second, for those residents who are potential temporary housing owner, this law will be a disaster: First, they don’t know they have to have a permit to rent a room , even you, Mr. Rogers, don’t know what it is. Second, when they know there is a permit issue, they already violated the law multiple times and they can be banned by government for renting one room in his house. Third, please remember, the time those potential temporary housing owner rent a room of their house, most likely is the time they are financially hit by emergency situation– losing job, or losing their home . And now they are at bureaucrats’ mercy to have the permit to share a room. These people won’t benefit from this law.
Now, you see, there is nobody benefit from the law. Then why Richmond want this law?
Ok, here is a link to whom think they are benefited from the law: http://www.vrlta.org/news/news.asp?id=332229
This is announcement from Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association. It said:
“Creating a fair and reasonable system for registration, accountability and transparency for short-term rentals and allowing local governments to take the lead in working with people who want to host short-term rentals is a win for communities and visitors alike. ”
“The action today by the House of Delegates regarding SB 1578, which already passed the Senate by an overwhelming margin, allows local governments to determine how to best welcome those who use Airbnb and other similar short-term rental platforms into their locality. ”
‘a win for communities and visitors ‘? As I analyzed above, this is a lie.
‘Creating a fair and reasonable system for registration’: Why do we need such system?
‘allows local governments to determine how to best welcome those who use Airbnb and other ‘? From when the uses of private property have to be submitted to government permit? Is there anywhere in this law mentioned Airbnb? No. Where is the line between temporary housing and long term renting? What is the different from sharing a room with a friend or a guest? If we allow government do this today, they will take your property next time, trust me, it will happen.
The most important question is: Do Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel industry benefit from the law? Here is a report:
http://wtkr.com/2017/02/03/bill-on-senate-floor-would-regulate-airbnb-in-virginia-enforcing-rules-in-virginia-beach/
The competition is always there. The ever changing technology and innovation is always there. Even with this law passed, the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel industry won’t gain any benefit from the law.
Except the government get some taxes and penalties. Is the government for benefit or for people?
Will you please look into this benefit nobody/abuse government power only law? Please let me know your position.
Thanks,
Weimin Zhang