Deadly shooting raises concerns over STR policy in Columbia

US: A deadly shooting at an Airbnb property on 6 June in Columbia, South Carolina, led city leaders to reconsider the city’s approach to short-term rental (STR) regulations.

The incident resulted in the death of 18-year-old Jayden Brackins and left three other teenagers injured. Two suspects have been arrested, and police are searching for another individual involved in the shooting.

The tragic event has sparked concerns among local residents, prompting the city council to consider a potential pause on issuing new short-term rental permits.

John Wilkinson, president of the Elmwood Park Neighborhood Association, expressed his concerns: “I think there’s a big gap between what’s happening in our neighborhoods, what our neighbours are experiencing, and what the city is tracking in terms of rental permits.”

Local resident Bailey echoed these worries, saying: “You can rent a short-term rental and then hand the keys over to someone else who behaves differently, knowing they are unsupervised.”

Under Columbia’s current short-term rental ordinance, property owners are held responsible for the conduct of their guests. A penalty point system is in place, which can lead to permit revocation if enough violations occur. However, many believe there are still significant gaps between the experiences of renters and neighbourhood residents.

The Columbia City Council is scheduled to debate a proposal on Tuesday that could impose a one-year moratorium on new short-term rental permits. This would prevent hosts from starting or expanding their STR properties, though renewals for existing permits would remain unaffected.

Highlights: 

• Following a deadly shooting at an Airbnb in Columbia, South Carolina, city leaders are debating a one-year moratorium on new short-term rental permits.
• This would pause the expansion of STRs, though existing permits would not be affected.
• The tragic incident has highlighted concerns from neighbors about the lack of supervision in short-term rental properties.
• Airbnb host Gus Bueno emphasised the need for cooperation between STR owners, residents, and city leaders to address safety issues in the community.