North Shore VRBO Rental

Question

Hi all,

looking at a Condo in the North shore on VRBO which seem to have good reviews.

How do i find out if its legally being rented? I have read a lot of stuff about Condos not being legally rented, but I cant seem to find any recent info on how I can confirm,

I tried some of the links i found in this forum and they seem to be expired :-(

Thanks In advance

Answer

Finding out if a vacation rental is legally being rented in Oahu (and specifically on the North Shore) is crucial to avoid potential issues. In recent years, the city of Honolulu has cracked down on illegal short-term vacation rentals, so it's important to ensure that your chosen rental is operating within the law.

Here are a few ways you can verify the legality of a VRBO (or any short-term rental) on the North Shore:

Check the registration number:
Hawaii requires short-term vacation rentals to be registered with the state. A legal property should have a registration number listed on the rental site. Look for a number that starts with “TA” or “GE” followed by a string of numbers (e.g., TA-123-456-7890). If the listing doesn’t have this number, it’s likely not a legal rental.
Contact the property owner or manager:
If the registration number isn’t listed, ask the owner or property manager directly for the registration number. This is a good way to confirm whether they are following local laws. If they hesitate or can’t provide one, you might want to reconsider booking.
Research the zoning laws:
Oahu has strict zoning laws for short-term vacation rentals. In most residential areas (including the North Shore), rentals of less than 30 days are not allowed unless the property is within a legally designated zone. You can check zoning maps on the city of Honolulu’s official website or consult local real estate agents to confirm whether the area permits short-term rentals.
Look for recent reviews about compliance:
Sometimes past guests will mention if the property appeared to be legally operating. While reviews aren’t always a guarantee, they can be a helpful indicator, especially if multiple guests comment on the legality or the issues they faced during their stay.
Check with the local authorities:
If you’re still unsure, you can contact the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) directly. They can confirm whether a property is registered and legally allowed to rent on a short-term basis.

Be cautious of unregistered rentals:
Even if a property seems like a good deal, renting an unregistered property could lead to disruptions during your stay. The city has been enforcing fines for unlicensed short-term rentals, and guests staying in those properties could potentially face eviction or cancellation at the last minute.

Conclusion:
To confirm if your chosen rental is legal, ensure it has a valid registration number, ask the property owner for confirmation, and check the local zoning laws. It’s always better to take a little extra time to ensure you're booking a legally compliant property to avoid any unpleasant surprises during your vacation.