STR Law

Airbnb just changed its policy on host-imposed contracts, and it’s a big one.

In this solo episode, I break down what’s changing for hosts who use rental agreements, why it matters for your legal protection, and what I’m doing about it.

I walk through the four exceptions that still allow a rental agreement: contracts required by law or community association rules, optional amenities, stays of 28 days or more, and Luxe listings. I also cover the other changes hosts are missing, including limits on collecting guest information, the end of Wi-Fi login portals that capture guest emails, and restrictions on signs at your property.

Then I explain why this matters. After reviewing more than 2,000 lawsuits involving hosts and Airbnb, I’ve seen how often the platform points the finger at the host. Your rental agreement, liability waivers, and assumption-of-risk language are how you fill that gap.

You’ll also get my four pillars of protection (rental agreement, LLC, insurance, and safety), a six-step to-do list for this week, and how to keep using your rental agreement on direct bookings and other platforms.

REGISTER FOR MY FREE WEBINAR HERE: strlaw.com/webinar

Follow me on instagram @ strlaw.with.katie

#ShortTermRental #AirbnbHost #VacationRental #AirbnbPolicy #RentalAgreement #STRLaw #RiskManagement

Could someone else trademark your Airbnb's name before you do?

I sat down with Matt Schneller, trademark lawyer and founder of TM TKO, to break down what short-term rental owners actually need to know about trademarks. We cover what qualifies as a trademark in the first place, why rental properties are a strange case in trademark law since your guests come from everywhere, not just your neighborhood, the real risk behind themed properties (yes, that includes your Harry Potter-themed guest room), federal vs. state registration, and what your actual options are if you get a cease & desist letter, or if you're the one who needs to send one.

Follow Matt and learn more about his tools for trademark clearance at tmtko.com and trademarkclear.com.

#Trademark #ShortTermRentals #STRHost #AirbnbBranding #TrademarkLaw

What if the biggest risk to your short-term rental business isn't a bad review, but depending on just one booking platform?

I sat down with Mark Simpson, founder of Boostly and host of The Boostly Podcast, to talk about building a direct booking strategy that actually works in 2026. We get into why Airbnb's new lower-commission "direct booking link" still isn't a real direct booking, how AI tools (Claude included) are now automating guest outreach and turning cold leads into real bookings, the free and paid ways to legally collect guest emails, and why naming and branding every single property matters more than people think. We also talk rental agreements, chargeback protection, and Mark's 65% direct / 35% OTA philosophy for keeping your business safe from platform risk.

Follow The Boostly Podcast and find Mark on Instagram @BoostlyUK for more.

#DirectBookings #ShortTermRentals #STRHost #Boostly #VacationRentalMarketing

Most short-term rental hosts think about taxes once a year. Ted Lanzaro says that's the mistake.

In this episode, Katie Johnson sits down with Ted Lanzaro, CPA and founder of Landmark CPA Group, a national tax strategy practice built specifically for real estate investors. Ted has spent 36 tax seasons helping STR hosts turn their properties into a real tax strategy instead of a once-a-year scramble.

They cover the short-term rental loophole: how staying under a seven-day average and materially participating in your property lets you take depreciation losses against ordinary income, something long-term rental owners generally can't do.

They also get into cost segregation, why buying one property a year with the right systems in place compounds into real wealth, and how your LLC structure, single-member versus two-member partnership, can change your audit exposure.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

"My kid went to U of A, so I bought a rental. Now I'm left with 7,000 sq ft of dirt and a cactus."

Sound familiar? Many investors have rentals near universities but face underutilized backyards.

In this episode of STR Law, Katie Johnson chats with Brad Jones from Tiny Homes of Tucson. After 30 years in tech sales, he transitioned to ADU (accessory dwelling units) construction two years ago and has completed 65 projects, including a 25-unit casita addition for a wellness center, after his franchise failed shortly after launch.

They discuss how ADUs can transform properties, often allowing owners to double or triple their rental income without needing more land.

Key topics include:

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Cost: Building ADUs costs $175-$180K vs. $330K for new builds

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Arizona's Middle Housing Initiative quickly changes zoning rules

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HOA CC&Rs vs state laws: tips on navigating them

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Setbacks and variance requests (DDOs/MSRs)

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Tips for negotiating with planning departments

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Using ChatGPT to check your zip code

Whether you're in Arizona or assessing property nationwide, this conversation highlights an overlooked opportunity for many hosts.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

Is your short-term rental actually covered or are you one claim away from discovering a costly gap in your insurance?

In this episode, Katie Johnson sits down with Darren Pettyjohn, co-founder of Proper Insurance and Wister Insurance, to discuss the insurance risks facing short-term rental owners, property managers, and co-hosts.

They break down why traditional homeowner and landlord policies may not provide enough protection for an STR business, along with common exclusions involving pets, guest damage, amenities, off-property accidents, and commercial activity.

Darren also shares real-world examples involving slip-and-fall accidents, water damage, permit failures, drowning claims, negligent contractors, and property management errors.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

In this episode of the STR Law Podcast, Katie Johnson is joined by tax attorney Anthony Brister to discuss short-term rental tax strategy, asset protection, LLCs, insurance, and entity structuring.

Anthony explains why STR owners should think beyond tax savings and make sure their properties are properly protected through the right insurance, business structure, corporate formalities, and long-term planning.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

Pets, service animals, and emotional support animals can create a lot of confusion for short-term rental hosts, especially when guests fail to disclose animals or hosts are unsure what rules apply.

In this episode, Katie is joined by John Bradford, founder and CEO of PetScreening, to discuss how STR owners and property managers can better manage pet policies, service animal requests, emotional support animal issues, and guest documentation.

John shares how a dog bite lawsuit helped inspire the creation of PetScreening, why “no pets” does not always mean “no animals,” and how hosts can use clearer processes to reduce confusion before a guest ever checks in.

They also discuss service animal misconceptions, emotional support animal rules, unauthorized and visiting pets, documentation, guest acknowledgments, and why hosts should be careful about relying on advice from online forums.

This episode is a helpful reminder that clear policies, proper documentation, and consistent guest communication matter.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

California probate can be slow, expensive, and messy, especially when you own rentals or run a business. In this episode, I am joined by Mark Abel, a Southern California trusts-and-estates attorney, to explain how estate planning and LLCs work together for STR owners and real estate investors.

We cover why a living revocable trust is a go-to tool for avoiding probate, how a pour-over will “catch” assets that never make it back into the trust (often after refinances), and the documents that matter for incapacity planning so operations don’t freeze after an unexpected event.

You’ll also hear our guidance on LLC successor planning, why trusts matter even more for families with minor children, and what Mark is seeing in California, including HOA crackdowns and STR lottery or waitlist systems.

If you’ve been “meaning to get around to it,” this episode is your reminder: hope for the best, plan for the worst.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

#ShortTermRental #AirbnbHost #VacationRental #AssetProtection #LLC #STRLaw #RiskManagement

Asset protection doesn’t have to be confusing, especially when you own short-term rentals.

In this episode, Katie is joined by attorney Kevin Snyder of Snyder Law to break down “layers of protection” for STR owners: insurance, LLC structuring, and when trusts may (or may not) make sense. They cover why separating properties into different LLCs can reduce risk, the real problem with “pooling” rentals under one entity, and how out-of-state LLCs (like Wyoming) can add an extra deterrent layer—especially for California owners concerned about charging orders. Kevin also explains the basics of piercing the corporate veil, the compliance habits that keep your LLC strong (bank accounts, operating agreements, annual upkeep), and where crypto fits into an asset-protection plan

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

#ShortTermRental #AirbnbHost #VacationRental #AssetProtection #LLC #STRLaw #RiskManagement

I sat down with Brett Swartz to unpack tax-smart exit planning for real estate investors and business owners—especially how a Deferred Sales Trust can help defer capital gains with more flexibility than a traditional 1031 exchange.

If you’re thinking about selling, this episode is for you. Hit play, follow the show on Spotify, and share it with a friend who’s planning an exit.🎙️

#ExitPlanning #CapitalGainsTax #RealEstateInvesting #TaxStrategies #WealthManagement

In this episode of STR Law, attorney and real estate developer Ari Rastigar explains how zoning and entitlements shape real estate value long before construction begins.

The conversation covers entitlement risk, rezoning strategies, large-scale development, 3D-printed housing, and how institutional investors approach housing in high-growth cities like Austin and Dallas.

A practical discussion on land use, STR strategy, and why understanding zoning law is essential for developers, investors, and hosts. 🎙️

BONUS!! For the next 72 hours only:
Buy any STR Law Kit at strlaw.com and get a free 1-hour one-on-one consult with me to walk through your STR legal questions.

#STRLaw #RealEstatePodcast #Zoning #Entitlements #LandUseLaw #ShortTermRentals #RealEstateDevelopment #HousingSupply

What happens when a 90-acre Property collides with small-town politics and zoning boards?

In this episode of STR Law, real estate attorney and Airbnb investor Katie Johnson sits down with Ali Haney—short-term rental owner, branding expert, and host of The Branded Market Podcast. Ali shares how she bought a 90-acre property in rural Kentucky to build a wedding venue with on-site stays, only to face neighbor backlash, packed hearings, and a conditional use permit loaded with 18 conditions.

You’ll learn:

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How informal “zoning green lights” can fall apart at the hearing

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What conditional/special use permits really look like in practice

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How neighbor opposition can reshape (or kill) your business model

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How Allie pivoted from wedding venue plans to a successful STR

If you’re an STR host, investor, or aspiring venue owner, this real-life zoning story is a must-listen before your next deal. 🎙️

For this episode, our guest, Steph Weber—owner of The Weber Co, co-host at Hosted by the Webers, and partner in Cabins on the Cumberland—shares what it takes to build a sustainable short-term rental co-hosting business.

Steph breaks down how branding and organic marketing helped her scale quickly, plus the lessons she learned the hard way about contracts, onboarding, client boundaries, scope clarity. Hosts, co-hosts, STR operators will gain practical insights to tighten systems, reduce friction, and protect the business.

🎧 Tap play now, then follow STR Law so you don’t miss the next episode—plus leave a quick rating/review if this helped you.

#STRLaw #ShortTermRentals #TheWeberCo #AirbnbHost #VacationRental #CoHosting #AirbnbBusiness #HospitalityBusiness #RealEstateInvesting #BrandStrategy #MarketingTips #SmallBusinessOwner #EntrepreneurLife #PropertyManagement

When you win a lawsuit, the judgment is only as valuable as your ability to collect. In this episode of STR Law, real estate attorney Katie Johnson sits down with business litigators Mark Rossman and Noah Matthews of Rossman PC to break down what commercial collections really look like—especially when a debtor tries to dodge payment.

They discuss the difference between cases where a client already has a judgment versus situations where you still need to sue, why acting quickly can dramatically improve recovery, and what enforcement strategies may be available—from post-judgment discovery and emergency motions to pursuing personal guarantors, challenging fraudulent transfers, and (in certain cases) piercing the corporate veil.

If you’re a business owner, investor, or professional who’s ever thought, “We won…now how do we actually get paid?”—this episode is for you.

This episode is for general educational purposes and is not legal advice.#STRLaw #BusinessLaw #CommercialLitigation #Collections #JudgmentEnforcement #RealEstateInvesting #Entrepreneurship

Renovations can make—or break—your short-term rental. In this episode, real estate attorney and host Katie Johnson sits down with Minnesota investor Tanya Rooney to share a practical playbook for managing construction on STR properties.

They explain how vague scopes create chaotic bids and walk through what to include in a detailed scope (counts, locations, specs, exclusions) so proposals reflect the same work. You’ll hear the real differences between commercial and residential contractors, how contracts with timelines and payment milestones prevent surprises, and why licenses, insurance, permits, and final inspections are non-negotiable.

Tap the 🔔 for new episodes, leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating, and share this with a host planning a renovation—then save it for your next contractor meeting.

#STRLaw #ShortTermRental #AirbnbHostTips #RealEstateInvesting #Renovation #ContractorVetting #Permits #Inspections #CodeCompliance #ConstructionLaw #ProjectManagement #PropertyManagement #TanyaRooney

Short-term rentals are booming, but financing them is where a lot of hosts get tripped up. In this episode, Katie talks with Parker, a lender licensed in 45+ states, about how STR buyers can actually qualify using traditional QM (Qualified Mortgage) loans, more flexible non-QM products (bank-statement, 1099, full-doc non-QM), and DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans that rely on projected STR income or AirDNA data.

This episode also explains when you can safely buy in your own name and deed it into an LLC, how to tell if a seller-credit or rate-buydown is actually helping you or just “lipstick on a pig,” and the exact point where lenders treat occupancy as non-negotiable so you don’t drift into mortgage-fraud territory.

#STRLaw #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbInvesting #RealEstateInvesting #DSCR #NonQM #QualifiedMortgage #InvestorLoans #SellerCredits #LLC #MortgageCompliance

Get in touch with Parker Borofsky:

• Here is her website!

Short-term rental operators can find the deals — the tricky part is bringing in investors without creating legal or partnership headaches. The questions start fast: How long is the hold? Who manages? What if someone wants out early?

In this episode of STR Law, Katie Johnson sits down with Natalie Palmer (No Vacancy Podcast, Level Up Your Listing Summit) to break down a real deal she raised for an upstate New York STR. They walk through why they chose a 7-year exit, how they kept terms the same for every investor, using a manager-managed LLC, DSCR loans, and how to say “no” to non-ideal partners — without losing momentum.

If you’re moving from “I own a couple of Airbnbs” to “I raise capital and partner,” this will help you set it up cleanly. #STRLaw #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbInvesting #CapitalRaising #RealEstatePartnerships #LLCStructure #RealEstateAttorney #NataliePalmer

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Natalie Palmer’s website: https://www.hostwithnatalie.com/

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The conference Level Up Your Listing Summit: https://www.levelupyourlistingsummit.com/

What if your Airbnb guest won’t leave?

An overstaying guest can quickly create legal and financial headaches if you don’t know your rights.

In this episode of STR Law, I’m joined by John Voss, with over 30 years representing property management companies and landlords in both residential and commercial cases. He explains the legal challenges that arise when short-term rental guests overstay, and how hosts can protect themselves from being pulled into landlord–tenant disputes.

What you’ll take away:

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Eviction vs. ejection: why the distinction matters for STRs

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What really happens when guests refuse to leave

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How landlord–tenant laws can affect short-term rentals

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The contract language that helps safeguard your property

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Practical steps hosts can take to stay compliant and reduce risk

🎙️ Stay ahead of the risks—discover how the right legal steps can protect your rental business.

#ShortTermRental #AirbnbHost #STRLaw #VacationRental #RentalProperty #PropertyManagement #RealEstateLaw #LandlordTenant

katiejohnsonplc.com

Taxes can make or break your short-term rental business, and most hosts are leaving thousands of dollars on the table.

In this episode, licensed CPA, Ryan Bakke, explains how Airbnb and vacation rental investors can use smart tax planning to keep more of what they earn. From bonus depreciation and cost segregation to entity structuring and the STR loophole, Ryan breaks down strategies in a way every host can understand:

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How the 2025 return of 100% bonus depreciation could unlock huge upfront tax savings

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The short-term rental loophole that allows you to offset W-2 income with STR losses

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Why most hosts should use LLCs (not S corps) to protect assets and avoid tax traps

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The truth about partnership deals and guaranteed loans—and who really gets the tax benefits

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What new tax law changes mean for STR hosts, from personal deductions to business planning

Want to learn more with Ryan with his real estate investment and tax-saving tips? Check out his podcast channel at The Ryan Bakke Show 🎙️

Get in touch with Katie through her website: katiejohnsonplc.com

#ShortTermRental #AirbnbHosting #TaxStrategy #VacationRentalInvesting #RealEstateTaxes #AirbnbTips #RentalIncomeProtection #TheRyanBakkeShow #STRLaw