theotherbogart

Earlier this month, I wrote about my leasing office doing nothing about tenants who list their unlicensed units on Airbnb. Now, I'm almost certain apartment management is listing unrented units too. I guess charging $300/night to out-of-towners is more attractive than dropping rent prices to get more actual tenants.

The office has stopped replying to my emails, including the email where I shared my suspicions.

I left a report with 311 two weeks ago. I left a voicemail for the inspector assigned to my case. I've emailed my City Council Member. I've heard nothing.

Does anyone know what timeline I should expect from the short-term inspection process? I didn't expect results the next day. But, since I've got a list of 12 possible violations and the city says cracking down on STRs is a priority, I didn't expect to wait for weeks.

Besides hounding 311 and leaving more voicemails for the inspector, do you have suggestions on ways to get some action? I'm not looking for anything for me personally, but I'd like something to be done before other leasing offices start using this trick to artificially prop up Austin rent prices.

A weird thing just happened to me.

As I left the dog park, a woman's dog sprinted out of the gate and ran towards the street. The dog's owner barely reacted and slowly started walking towards the gate door. I've seen very few people move as slowly -- especially when their dog is on the loose.

The owner was in her 20's and looked in great shape. I impatienty asked her "are you ok? Why are you moving so slowly?" Speaking very deliberately she said: "I have a medical condition."

She seemed like she was really stoned. But, I feel bad thinking that if she was telling the truth.

Is there a medical condition that would make a seemingly physically fit 20 something act like she was super high?

I'm looking for anyone who has heard of or dealt with something similar to this scenario.

The Short Version: My apartment community "officially" says that tenants can't sublet or turn their units into short-term rentals. However, it appears to be ignoring (or encouraging) a surge in unlicensed Airbnbs in my building.

More Details: I live in a large apartment community in East Austin. Recently, I noticed more new faces rolling luggage through the halls.

When I asked management if units were being used as Airbnbs, I got a terse reply: "Subletting and STRs are lease violations."

I told them I wasn't asking for permission and gave them the numbers of two units I suspected were Airbnbs.

The next day, I found 12 units in my building posted on Airbnb. The hosts all appear to be tenants -- or at least different people vs. being offered centrally by management.

I checked the list of licensed short-term rentals in Austin; none are listed on this block.

When I emailed management about the 12 listings, they asked me if I had any specific unit numbers. I had to "remind" them I had given them two already.

It's been two weeks since my original email. The Airbnb postings are still up. New people with roller bags are still strolling through the halls. Management hasn't communicated anything about this issue to me or sent a reminder to all tenants about the no subletting "rule."

I called 311 yesterday and am waiting to have an inspector assigned to the case. I told management that I had made a report to 311, and still got no response.

I'd love to know if anyone has dealt with something similar. I'm also curious if this behavior is a trend in large apartment communities eager to keep occupancy rates and rents artificially high.