Long-term rentals through vrbo.com

[KonaKat]

Originally Posted by mdand3boys

Yep. 6 months is a long-term rental that drops the tax rate to 4.x from the 11.x rate. It is based upon the term of the lease.

GE tax which we must all pay on nearly every good and service including rent, is 4.166% to the consumer, then 4% is paid to the state by the person or business to the state. Vacation rentals incur Transient Accommodations tax which is 9.25%. Therefore the total tax on vacation rentals is actually 13.416%. Anything less than a 6 month lease is technically a "vacation rental".

[kixette]

So, if you rent an apartment, or an ohana rental (I think that's what you call it) is the tax typically included in your rent, or is it an extra fee?

[Balad1]

Originally Posted by bettypie

So, I've read several posts by people saying they found their homes/long-term rentals on vrbo.com at rates much lower than the per-night/week/month asking price. This sounds like a good idea.



I already have a place lined up for my initial stay in April, but am considering using vrbo.com to find a long-term living place for my partner and me. How much of a discount can I expect/attempt to get by offering to sign a 6-month or even year lease?

Where are you looking to rent, that makes a difference?

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by KonaKat

GE tax which we must all pay on nearly every good and service including rent, is 4.166% to the consumer, then 4% is paid to the state by the person or business to the state. Vacation rentals incur Transient Accommodations tax which is 9.25%. Therefore the total tax on vacation rentals is actually 13.416%. Anything less than a 6 month lease is technically a "vacation rental".

Did that go up? Last I had heard it was around 11%? (Stupid me, of course it went up. Poor property owners pay full prop taxes, then have to pay the transient tax, plus income tax...)

[nalu77]

Hi. Just a warning. There is a rental in Lanikai (by Kailua) through VRBO that I rented - ocean view, green house with white trim on Aalapapa. Matthew Smith cancelled my rental with one week's notice because he said he could not get the current renter to leave. Found out he was renting the property to multiple people for the same time periods. People were showing up and finding it already rented. He would not return the security deposit. Filed a complaint with the Hawaii Bed and Breakfast Bureau, but nothing has been done by them other than refer me to the Secret Service. I like to use Visa to pay for the rentals, and they were able to return most of the money, except for the amount I paid thru Paypal.
I've rented homes several times in Kailua/Lanikai/Kaneohe, and this is the only problem I've ever had. VRBO was not interested in helping, since I didn't buy their insurance, they said there was nothing they could do, since he unlisted his house through them due to multiple complaints. Last count I got from the Hawaii Bed and Breakfast Bureau was 8 complaints. Several people lost more than $2000.00. Lesson learned here is always pay with Visa, and pay the extra 3% the rental owner will want. Some want only cash. Your choice as to whether to pass or not.

[SandyJet]

Originally Posted by nalu77

Hi. Just a warning. There is a rental in Lanikai (by Kailua) through VRBO that I rented - ocean view, green house with white trim on Aalapapa. Matthew Smith cancelled my rental with one week's notice because he said he could not get the current renter to leave. Found out he was renting the property to multiple people for the same time periods. People were showing up and finding it already rented. He would not return the security deposit. Filed a complaint with the Hawaii Bed and Breakfast Bureau, but nothing has been done by them other than refer me to the Secret Service. I like to use Visa to pay for the rentals, and they were able to return most of the money, except for the amount I paid thru Paypal.
I've rented homes several times in Kailua/Lanikai/Kaneohe, and this is the only problem I've ever had. VRBO was not interested in helping, since I didn't buy their insurance, they said there was nothing they could do, since he unlisted his house through them due to multiple complaints. Last count I got from the Hawaii Bed and Breakfast Bureau was 8 complaints. Several people lost more than $2000.00. Lesson learned here is always pay with Visa, and pay the extra 3% the rental owner will want. Some want only cash. Your choice as to whether to pass or not.

I rent on VRBO and only do it through VRBO and use the credit card featuer. It protects tenants and me. I dont want to deal with shady paypal, personal checks or wires with strangers

The owner pays the fee not tenant so why would you circuvent the controls

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by SandyJet

I dont want to deal with shady paypal

You responded to a post from years ago - regardless, perhaps you can elaborate on how Paypal is "shady"