Relaxing Short-Term Rental Regulations in the Sin City
When Louis Koorndyk started renting his Las Vegas property on Airbnb to pay for his parents’ assisted living care, he never thought it would lead to $62,000 in fines and a legal battle with the state of Nevada.
In 1998, Clark County passed a ban on short-term rentals in an effort to protect the hotel industry, stifling supplemental income for residents and limiting rental options in a critical tourism area. To help enforce the ban, the local government turned neighbors against each other, insisting they report any suspected violation to the ban.
Louis was one of many residents punished by the county for the “crime” of using his property as he saw fit. In an effort to restore rights to property owners, Americans for Prosperity enters the fight to overturn the county’s short-term housing ban and equip residents like Louis to become effect advocates.
Louis’ Airbnb Ordeal
In 1989, Louis made the decision to relocate to Las Vegas. He’s remained there ever since, primarily driven by the need to secure and oversee care for his aging parents. However, in 2018, the expenses became too high for Louis, forcing him to rent out his spare property on Airbnb to help pay for the costs of senior living.
Soon, Louis’ rental was in high demand. He’d seemingly fixed the problem, until he received a letter from the county alerting him of the ban on short-term rentals occupied for less than 31 days. Shortly after, Louis received a second letter stating he owed $62,000 in fines for the offense. He was stunned — how could local bureaucrats dictate what he could or could not do with his own property?
Not only would the ban make it hard for Louis to pay for his parents’ assisted living, but the county’s fine would put him in a financial hole with no way out. Louis resorted to moving his parents into his home where they no longer had the benefits and security of 24/7 nursing staff. His mother later suffered a tragic fall while unsupervised, which ultimately led to her death.
“I could not believe the government was preventing me from taking care of my parents properly,” Louis recalled. Despite his frustration, he was unable to channel his anger and grief into meaningful change.
AFP Equips Louis to Empower Others
Disheartened by Louis’ story, Wiz Rouzard, Deputy State Director for AFP-Nevada, knew change was needed and contacted him immediately. Wiz quickly realized the extent to which the county was targeting residents, encroaching on their property rights and hitting them with exorbitant fines to protect the hotel industry from potential competition.
The fight was on. AFP mobilized its resources and activated its powerful network in the Nevada State House to amplify Louis’ story and others like his.
By taking activists to the Capitol, AFP forced decision-makers to look into the faces of residents who fell victim to the consequences of rigid regulations. Wiz and his team also lined the sidewalks outside the Capitol with doormats donated by property owners to send a message to lawmakers. In addition, they engaged with community members at local meetings and events to understand the perspectives of stakeholders and spread awareness of the issue.
AFP and Louis continue to fight the strict local ordinances triggered by the state law.
Using the strategies and tactics he learned from AFP, Louis went on to co-found the Greater Las Vegas Short Term Rental Association (GLVSTRA), to fight onerous regulations and government overreach weakening property rights. He most recently took on a legal battle against county and state governments, suing them for vague and undefined ordinances that tightly control the industry.
“AFP inspires people to believe in themselves,” Wiz states. “We give them the tools and the training to perfect their voice, and then we give them the opportunities to make effective change.”
Fight for your freedom and stand up to over-regulation, get in contact with AFP today!
