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Lawyer says consider the liability of airbnb

Posted at 10:21 PM, Aug 27, 2014
and last updated 2014-08-28 15:59:24-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich -- Tuesday night the Grand Rapids City Commission approved an advisory committee's recommendations, allowing one room rentals through websites like airbnb, but there are some restrictions.

-It must be an owner occupied residence

-Only one room can be rented at a time

-No more than two adults (children allowed)

-Limited to 200 annual permits costing $287 each for short term room rental

-Neighbors must be notified each time

The city commission didn't set any requirements for how much insurance a home owner should be required to carry in order to rent out a room.    Local attorney Tom Sinas from the Sinas/Dramis lawfirm says, that could set people up for financial disaster.  He discussed those concerns with Fox17's Christian Frank during Fox17 News at 5.