Metro Council's most recent meeting was this past Tuesday (October 3rd). On the agenda, once again, was Bill BL2017-608, which proposes to phase out non-owner occupied short-term rentals. Following yet another long and spirited discussion, the Council narrowly voted to defer the bill until January.

The ad-hoc committee tasked with researching and reviewing the issue, in order to make a recommendation to the Council, has yet to finish their report. By January, their report should be completed and will hopefully steer a fairer revision of the bill. 

Unfortunately, permits for non-owner occupied short-term rentals are not being issued until a determination is made regarding the bill. This "pause" on issuing permits has been in effect since the bill was first introduced in February.

Now's the time to call and email our council members to voice support of fair homesharing laws. 

Don't worry about being wordy or eloquent. Short and succinct is always best! If you feel unsure of what to say, here are some ideas to get you started:

• Who you are and why homesharing is important to you

• Why Nashville residents should be able to share their homes

• How homesharing helps local residents earn extra income to cover household bills and afford to live in our ever-increasingly expensive city

• How homesharing brings visitors and business travelers to more neighborhoods, where they spend more of their money at local businesses

• Why you want fair, common-sense regulations for short-term rentals in Nashville

Be polite, positive, and gracious, thanking them for their time and consideration. Always include your address at the end of your email, as it's crucial for council to know they are hearing from constituents.

Address your message to your district's council member, all at-large council members, and the Vice Mayor. All their contact information is available here ￫  You can also email all council members with this one email address ￫

It's time to let your voice be heard on this vital issue, even if you've contacted the council about it in the past.

Hello, and welcome to the Rest Easy Nashville blog, home of all things short-term rental in Nashville, Tennessee!

I’m Alece Ronzino, founder and owner of Rest Easy Nashville, hospitality enthusiast, and chronic car dancer.

Before moving to Nashville in 2011, I lived and worked in South Africa For 13 years, where I started and ran a nonprofit aimed at leadership development and AIDS prevention education. As a part of a comprehensive program, our team hosted thousands of short-term travelers over the years, providing them with an opportunity to experience South African culture in a unique and personal way. I’ve always had a passion for hospitality, and in this time, one of my favorite parts of my job was providing quality experiences for my guests. I was energized by witnessing great travel experiences produce real, lasting change in my lodgers’ lives.

In 2013, I purchased my East Nashville home and ventured into the world of Airbnb hosting. Not only did I find that it satisfied my love of hospitality, but it also, unexpectedly, helped me stay connected to the part of me motivated by my zeal for travel and experiencing other cultures.

As I delved into the world of short-term rentals in Nashville, my passions drove me to learn more than I ever thought I would about this business. As more and more people approached me looking for guidance, I started to see a real felt need in our community.

Short-term rental owners needed the opportunity to engage with a partner who can tackle the management, cleaning, maintenance, and landscaping needs of their properties. And that’s how Rest Easy Nashville was born, providing services and expertise that simplifies the mountain of stuff that sits between short-term rental owners and effortless income.

Whether you’re ready for a full-blown partnership or not, this blog is meant to serve as a resource for you as you navigate the choppy waters of short-term rentals here in Nashville. Every other week, we’ll provide up-to-date information on legislation & changing policies, address frequently asked questions, and give you plenty of tips and tools to take the guesswork out of short-term rental ownership. Each and every post will be informative. . .and fun! And, hey, make sure you follow us on Facebook so you’re notified when each post is live!

Lastly, I’m excited to announce that our new ebook, Nashville Airbnb Guide, is available now for FREE.

I'm so proud of this ebook. It's a comprehensive guide to getting your short-term rental up and running. We tackle everything from the icky subject of paperwork to the tough topic of finances, and we finish it all off with a checklist that will save the day as you set up your physical space.

Once you opt-in, the ebook will be sent straight to your inbox. You’ll also be signed up for our monthly e-zine, chock full of great information about powering your short-term rental, headache-free.

Thanks for reading. I can’t wait to teach you everything I know—you’re going to do great!