In a bold move to enforce compliance with existing Transient Lodging Tax Code, Portland City Council found unanimous agreement when it voted on Agenda Item 565. Voting commenced immediately and Council Members were passionate in their consent. When Council Members spoke, their frustration was palpable. Passage of this amendment comes as a relief to many […]
Airbnb Case Study: Tiny House
Several years ago, Ensourced was approached by a couple who were wrapping up the build-out of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in their backyard. At the time they were deciding between offering it as traditional, long-term rental or listing it on a short-term rental platform. The following Airbnb case study describes how we got started […]
State of PDX: Q1 2018
We’re not going to lie, folks — this winter has been, well, quite vacant at many listings. Besides being our normal “slow” season, the number of visitors felt like it declined in Portland overall and overseas travelers to the US are down an average of 6% for the first half of 2017. By the Numbers: […]
Winterization Tips
Welcome (again) to Portland in the Fall. This is one of our favorite times of the year with a return to hoodies and sweaters, fun seasonal menus and tasty beverages, pumpkin spice everything, lots more board games and movies, leaves changing colors, overflowing gutters and street drains, not to mention muddy shoes and umbrellas! There […]
3 Simple Ways to Make Sure You Pass Inspection
Preparing your home for inspection by the City of Portland can feel overwhelming and stressful. However, if you’ve done your homework, with a minimum amount of investment, you can be in full compliance with local statutes too. Building Code Requirements Make sure sleeping rooms meet minimum the building code requirements for bedrooms when they were […]
Take Time to Find the Best Fit
Airbnb is a unique service from the perspective of crowdsourced review sites in that it offers the host not only the chance to manage reviews of the property but also offers the opportunity to review a guest they have welcomed into their home. In this way, Airbnb has created a unique method of building confidence […]
Airbnb Only One Factor in a Hot Rental Market
Airbnb is indeed a force to be reckoned with, but it is not the only factor influencing the availability of affordable housing in a hot rental market. As experienced Airbnb Superhosts accommodating both tourists and people relocating to our fair city, we’ve seen the impact the service has had on our community both positively and […]
10 Steps to Comply with Portland’s ASTR Law
Preparing to comply with Portland’s Accessory Short-Term Rental law can be overwhelming and confusing. By breaking the process down into 10 easy steps, you can avoid penalties for non-compliance and the avoid the risks associated with operating out-of-code. Make sure bedrooms meet building code requirements for sleeping rooms when they were created or converted Ensure […]
So You’ve Passed Inspection, Now What?
You filed all of the paperwork, paid the fee, met with the inspector and now you’re ready to take care of business and get legit. About a week after the inspection, you’ll receive a printed permit in the mail. This must be posted onsite at all times, so find a frame and a visible yet […]
Submitting the Neighborhood Notice and Permit Application
When dealing with any bureaucracy, an abundance of paperwork is a given. This is definitely the case when coming into compliance with Portland’s Accessory Short-Term Rental (ASTR) requirements. Luckily, the City of Portland created the Type A ASTR Permit Application Checklist, an excellent tool for making sure you remember to cross all your t’s and […]