New Legislation Requires Background Checks for Columbus AirBnB Hosts
The Columbus City Council has recently passed new legislation requiring property owners to undergo a state criminal background check before obtaining a short-term rental license.
Anyone renting out houses, apartments or condos in Columbus short-term on Airbnb, Vrbo, or the like must now undergo state criminal background checks before being issued a license, the city council unanimously mandated Monday evening.
Previously, the city allowed the booking websites to conduct their own background checks. But because those checks “vary considerably,” according to the city, all checks now will be conducted by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and involve submitting fingerprints.
The requirement applies to the property’s owner, as well as anyone who has access to the unit. Currently, more than 2,000 short term rentals in Columbus are listed on AirBnB, Vrbo, and other websites.
Because local requirements in Columbus and other cities are constantly changing, don’t forget to check with your municipality before listing your property as a short-term rental.