Airbnb just changed its policy on host-imposed contracts, and it’s a big one.

In this solo episode, I break down what’s changing for hosts who use rental agreements, why it matters for your legal protection, and what I’m doing about it.

I walk through the four exceptions that still allow a rental agreement: contracts required by law or community association rules, optional amenities, stays of 28 days or more, and Luxe listings. I also cover the other changes hosts are missing, including limits on collecting guest information, the end of Wi-Fi login portals that capture guest emails, and restrictions on signs at your property.

Then I explain why this matters. After reviewing more than 2,000 lawsuits involving hosts and Airbnb, I’ve seen how often the platform points the finger at the host. Your rental agreement, liability waivers, and assumption-of-risk language are how you fill that gap.

You’ll also get my four pillars of protection (rental agreement, LLC, insurance, and safety), a six-step to-do list for this week, and how to keep using your rental agreement on direct bookings and other platforms.

REGISTER FOR MY FREE WEBINAR HERE: strlaw.com/webinar

Follow me on instagram @ strlaw.with.katie

#ShortTermRental #AirbnbHost #VacationRental #AirbnbPolicy #RentalAgreement #STRLaw #RiskManagement

Could someone else trademark your Airbnb's name before you do?

I sat down with Matt Schneller, trademark lawyer and founder of TM TKO, to break down what short-term rental owners actually need to know about trademarks. We cover what qualifies as a trademark in the first place, why rental properties are a strange case in trademark law since your guests come from everywhere, not just your neighborhood, the real risk behind themed properties (yes, that includes your Harry Potter-themed guest room), federal vs. state registration, and what your actual options are if you get a cease & desist letter, or if you're the one who needs to send one.

Follow Matt and learn more about his tools for trademark clearance at tmtko.com and trademarkclear.com.

#Trademark #ShortTermRentals #STRHost #AirbnbBranding #TrademarkLaw

What if the biggest risk to your short-term rental business isn't a bad review, but depending on just one booking platform?

I sat down with Mark Simpson, founder of Boostly and host of The Boostly Podcast, to talk about building a direct booking strategy that actually works in 2026. We get into why Airbnb's new lower-commission "direct booking link" still isn't a real direct booking, how AI tools (Claude included) are now automating guest outreach and turning cold leads into real bookings, the free and paid ways to legally collect guest emails, and why naming and branding every single property matters more than people think. We also talk rental agreements, chargeback protection, and Mark's 65% direct / 35% OTA philosophy for keeping your business safe from platform risk.

Follow The Boostly Podcast and find Mark on Instagram @BoostlyUK for more.

#DirectBookings #ShortTermRentals #STRHost #Boostly #VacationRentalMarketing

Most short-term rental hosts think about taxes once a year. Ted Lanzaro says that's the mistake.

In this episode, Katie Johnson sits down with Ted Lanzaro, CPA and founder of Landmark CPA Group, a national tax strategy practice built specifically for real estate investors. Ted has spent 36 tax seasons helping STR hosts turn their properties into a real tax strategy instead of a once-a-year scramble.

They cover the short-term rental loophole: how staying under a seven-day average and materially participating in your property lets you take depreciation losses against ordinary income, something long-term rental owners generally can't do.

They also get into cost segregation, why buying one property a year with the right systems in place compounds into real wealth, and how your LLC structure, single-member versus two-member partnership, can change your audit exposure.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

"My kid went to U of A, so I bought a rental. Now I'm left with 7,000 sq ft of dirt and a cactus."

Sound familiar? Many investors have rentals near universities but face underutilized backyards.

In this episode of STR Law, Katie Johnson chats with Brad Jones from Tiny Homes of Tucson. After 30 years in tech sales, he transitioned to ADU (accessory dwelling units) construction two years ago and has completed 65 projects, including a 25-unit casita addition for a wellness center, after his franchise failed shortly after launch.

They discuss how ADUs can transform properties, often allowing owners to double or triple their rental income without needing more land.

Key topics include:

• Cost: Building ADUs costs $175-$180K vs. $330K for new builds

• Arizona's Middle Housing Initiative quickly changes zoning rules

• HOA CC&Rs vs state laws: tips on navigating them

• Setbacks and variance requests (DDOs/MSRs)

• Tips for negotiating with planning departments

• Using ChatGPT to check your zip code

Whether you're in Arizona or assessing property nationwide, this conversation highlights an overlooked opportunity for many hosts.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

Is your short-term rental actually covered or are you one claim away from discovering a costly gap in your insurance?

In this episode, Katie Johnson sits down with Darren Pettyjohn, co-founder of Proper Insurance and Wister Insurance, to discuss the insurance risks facing short-term rental owners, property managers, and co-hosts.

They break down why traditional homeowner and landlord policies may not provide enough protection for an STR business, along with common exclusions involving pets, guest damage, amenities, off-property accidents, and commercial activity.

Darren also shares real-world examples involving slip-and-fall accidents, water damage, permit failures, drowning claims, negligent contractors, and property management errors.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

In this episode of the STR Law Podcast, Katie Johnson is joined by tax attorney Anthony Brister to discuss short-term rental tax strategy, asset protection, LLCs, insurance, and entity structuring.

Anthony explains why STR owners should think beyond tax savings and make sure their properties are properly protected through the right insurance, business structure, corporate formalities, and long-term planning.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

Pets, service animals, and emotional support animals can create a lot of confusion for short-term rental hosts, especially when guests fail to disclose animals or hosts are unsure what rules apply.

In this episode, Katie is joined by John Bradford, founder and CEO of PetScreening, to discuss how STR owners and property managers can better manage pet policies, service animal requests, emotional support animal issues, and guest documentation.

John shares how a dog bite lawsuit helped inspire the creation of PetScreening, why “no pets” does not always mean “no animals,” and how hosts can use clearer processes to reduce confusion before a guest ever checks in.

They also discuss service animal misconceptions, emotional support animal rules, unauthorized and visiting pets, documentation, guest acknowledgments, and why hosts should be careful about relying on advice from online forums.

This episode is a helpful reminder that clear policies, proper documentation, and consistent guest communication matter.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com