VRMA Administrator
The Sussex County Association of Realtors opposes a Delaware House proposal to raise the tax on short-term rentals (STRs) in the state. The bill requires every STR listing service to obtain an occupational license and pay an annual licensing fee of $25.00, in addition to an existing 8 percent tax rate for hotels, motels, tourist homes, and STRs. According to Association President Allison Stine, 90 percent of STRs in the state are located in Sussex County. She says the bill poses a significant threat to the local economy, homeowners, vacationers, and the workforce. Broker and rental manager for the Lewes Rental Department of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Adriane Gallagher said, "The bill would definitely limit the number of people who are able to afford vacation rentals in our area. It would burden the owners who are then unable to continue to rent to people and potentially keep their second home. It also has a much broader effect on our area as far as restauranteurs, small business owners, people that rent out linens to these customers, people that clean the houses for these rental properties. All the businesses. People that rent out kayaks. If there's no vacationers here, you're out of business."
WBOC Delmarva (06/15/23) Kirstyn Clark
