Kentucky City Warns Homeowners Not to Rent to Travelers

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Metro Louisville, Ky. officials have sent letters to some homeowners that rent space to travelers through online home-sharing sites telling them to stop the practice immediately or they risk being fined.

The Courier-Journal reports the letters say the property owners are operating illegal hotel or motels and they could be fined up to $500 per day.

Several owners and their attorney say they would like to find a compromise with the city, and they don’t have any opposition to regulations and a licensing fee.

Jim Mims, who heads the city’s Develop Louisville office, said 20 violation notices were sent out based on complaints. He said no one is near a point of being fined and that officials are trying to determine the best course to move forward.

“This is not accommodated by our zoning ordinance and as such is in violation of our zoning ordinance,” Mims said.

Amy Linfield said she spent nearly $40,000 to improve a furnished duplex she bought near her home to rent out to travelers and the letter “certainly scared me and upset me.”

“There was no option for improving or registering or changing,” she said.

Mims said city officials “will take a very cautious approach to enforcement” as they deal with the issue.

“During this process, we are not trying to throw the heavy hand down,” he said.

Louisville is among several cities across the country that are trying to determine the best way to regulate the home sharing sites, where people can sign up to rent short-term space that could include a couch, a room or an entire home.