The rise of Airbnb rentals in Portland and the U.S. has received a lot of negative press (“Portland man appeals city order to cease Airbnb rental listing,” July 16; “Another View: Homeowners should be allowed to profit from short-term rentals,” July 12).

As an occasional Airbnb renter and multifamily property owner in Portland, I’d like to point out how Airbnb is actually a good thing for small-scale landlord-owners and the city:

n Fire code compliance: Many, if not most, of Portland’s rental properties are facing stricter fire safety codes. In my three-unit building, for example, I’ve been told to add six metal fire doors before September. Without seasonal Airbnb income, this $3,000-plus expense would force me to raise my normal monthly rents, or go into debt.

n Efficiency upgrades: The vast majority of Portland multifamily properties lack insulation, quality windows, modern heating systems and so on. Airbnb income allows me to improve my building performance without raising long-term rents. Maine Hardware loves me. So do my full-time tenants.

n Historic renovation: Maintaining and restoring buildings in Portland’s historic areas can be very costly, so most maintenance gets deferred. Airbnb allows for costly beautification without rent gouging.

n Spenders, not gawkers: Airbnb visitors, unlike most cruise ship visitors, come here and spend lots of money on restaurants, markets, rental cars, museums and so on. Air-bnb brings significant income to local businesses.

n Tax bonanza: Portland automatically collects a 16 percent tax on every Airbnb rental. That’s money paid on top of my annual property taxes. For that money, I get no special services and use no extra city resources. What’s (for them) not to like?

Before Portland enacts new measures restricting and blaming Airbnb for the much larger issue of outrageous rental incomes (driven by consolidation, remote ownership and gentrification of affordable units), it’s important to weigh all the facts.

Matt Power

Portland

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