Airbnb minimum city stay 31 days

Question

Hi, I have had an Airbnb booked in Savannah for a few months now, for a forthcoming trip in September but I have just been contacted by the host, saying they need to cancel the reservation , saying the city now requires a 31 day minimum stay, does this seem correct??

Answer

It is not entirely accurate to say that Savannah requires a 31-day minimum stay for all Airbnb bookings. However, there have been some changes in the city’s regulations regarding short-term rentals that could be relevant to your situation. Let me explain the context behind this claim:

In Savannah, short-term rental regulations have been updated in recent years to manage the growing number of vacation rentals. While the city has imposed various rules to limit the impact of short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods, there is no blanket requirement for a 31-day minimum stay across all properties. That being said, there are some key factors to consider:

Property Type and Location: Some properties, particularly those in residential zoning areas or certain parts of the city, may be subject to local regulations that require longer stays (e.g., 30 days or more) to avoid the restrictions placed on vacation rentals. These rules aim to ensure that short-term rentals do not disrupt the neighborhood. It's possible that your host's property falls under these specific regulations.
Airbnb and Local Laws: In addition to city regulations, Airbnb also has policies that align with local laws. If the host's listing is within an area where the city mandates a longer minimum stay (for example, if the host’s permit allows for only long-term rentals), this could explain why the host is requesting a cancellation or modification of your booking.
Host’s Cancellation Reason: It’s worth checking with the host directly to confirm whether they are referring to new city-specific regulations or if they are experiencing some other issue that led them to request the change. It may also help to ask for the exact details about which law or regulation they are referring to.

If this cancellation is due to the city's regulations, you have a few options:

Find Another Property: Look for other properties in Savannah that might still be available for your desired dates. There are many Airbnb listings, and some may be outside the impacted zones.
Contact Airbnb Support: Reach out to Airbnb customer service to clarify the situation and explore potential solutions. They may be able to help you find a similar property or provide more information about the city's regulations and how they apply to your reservation.
Request a Refund: If the cancellation is due to the new regulations, you should be eligible for a full refund. Ensure the host updates the reservation properly to reflect the cancellation and that Airbnb handles the refund process.

In conclusion, while there are new rules in Savannah regarding short-term rentals, a blanket 31-day minimum stay requirement does not apply to all rentals. It's more likely that the host is facing specific legal or zoning restrictions that apply to their property. It’s important to confirm the details with the host and possibly contact Airbnb support for further clarification.