The Texas House recently heard testimony on the regulation of short-term rentals (STRs) by local governments. The City of Austin has targeted STRs that are not occupied by the owner. According to the Austin Monitor:
Daniel Armstrong, a code enforcement officer with the city, told the House Urban Affairs Committee that the bill would kneecap Austin’s enforcement efforts against properties that perennially violate noise, parking and nuisance ordinances.
If certain properties are regularly violating the city’s noise, parking, and nuisance ordinances, then why isn’t the city enforcing those laws? Why does it need new regulations aimed specifically at STRs? The problem isn’t STRs, but those who choose to disregard common decency and respect for others.
STR regulations treat all owners as guilty of operating “party houses.” And so, all STR owners are to be controlled and regulated because of a few bad actors.
Justice is the virtue of judging and treating others as they deserve. There is nothing just about treating responsible STR owners the same as irresponsible STR owners. Rational people recognize the injustice of judging the individual members of a race, ethnicity, nationality, or virtually any other group by the actions of a few members. The same is true of STR owners.
A few STR owners are bad actors. Punish them. That is what they deserve. And leave the responsible STR owners free to use their property as they choose. That is what they deserve.