It recommends that owners of apartments in condominiums that are not Airbnb and who wish to rent their property under this modality, approach the administration to establish clear guidelines and processes so that the safety of all condominium owners and respect for the rules of coexistence and good customs can be preserved.
SANTO DOMINGO- The short-term rental business model is growing every day and has become an alternative being used by thousands of investors worldwide, given the high profitability it offers, in addition to representing one of the most popular ventures of the moment.
Airbnb leads the way in this type of accommodation, with an estimated 2.9 million hosts on the platform worldwide.
But the eagerness of people to take advantage of this business opportunity is creating problems in traditional condominiums and family housing, where the "coming and going" of strangers disturbs the peace of its residents.
“The issue of short-term rentals, such as those offered by platforms like Airbnb, is causing headaches due to the constant influx of unknown people, with little to no vetting, which creates an unsafe environment for all residents. Furthermore, a large percentage of Airbnb guests do not respect the condominium's rules of conduct, often due to a lack of awareness and sometimes due to negligence,” says architect Yadelín Rodríguez, an executive at MP Condominios.
It states that short-term rental accommodation is a good business and notes positively that many owners are choosing to rent their properties in this way, but understands that it must be done in an organized manner and respecting the rules of coexistence so as not to affect the condominium in general.
The representative of MP Condominios recounts a case in a traditional building in the Dominican capital, where a resident was enjoying the pool with his wife and teenage children, "when an Airbnb guest appeared with loud music, accompanied by friends and smoking hookah, which caused discomfort to the resident who proceeded to leave the area and notify the administration.".
Speaking with this digital media outlet, El Inmobiliario, he noted that his client portfolio has seen more than ten cases of this nature, in addition to being aware of other companies in the sector that have experienced many similar situations. He explained that they are taking measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.
“We contact the owner who wants to rent their property on Airbnb, ask them to set up the appropriate security settings on the platform, and send us all the guest information beforehand. This information is then shared with the receptionist who will be there to greet the guest upon arrival. The receptionist must fill out a form and specify in advance which visitors they will be receiving during their stay, along with the documentation for those individuals. We also share the house rules and the consequences for not fully complying with them,” Rodríguez explains.
He adds that in the case of condominiums with social areas, access has been controlled. “The reservation policies for these areas are modified through an assembly, preventing their use without a reservation, and requiring reservations to be made at least five days in advance. This ensures that guests who are only staying in the apartment for two or three days do not have access to the social areas.”.
MP Condominios executive recommends that owners of apartments in condominiums that are not Airbnb, and who wish to rent their property under this modality, approach the administration to establish clear guidelines and processes so that the safety of all condominium owners and respect for the rules of coexistence and good customs can be preserved.
He understands that this creates a win-win situation, where everyone is satisfied. "Because in the end, an organized building guarantees added value in real estate investment.".
Legally, he believes, modifications to the condominium regime can be established at the administrative level. “The administration has to manage strategies to maintain order and respect for the rules of the tower or residential complex, without depriving the property rights of each owner.”.
