HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-02-26 Public Comment - A. Nolten - AirBnb at the AnnexFrom:Audrey Nolten
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]AirBnb at the Annex
Date:Sunday, February 1, 2026 9:31:14 PM
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Dear Community Development Director and City Commission;
We have been renting an apartment in The Annex for our college children. It has been a
beautiful building in a wonderful location. They are able to walk to campus and they feel safein their apartment. The building has been well cared for.
More recently, there are signs placed in the lobby and the elevators advertising "Dreaming of a
Winter Getaway? Earn extra money by hosting on AirBnb"
An important part of the appeal of the Annex over a free standing house was the security ofthe building and the restrictions on subletting. We understand that subletting is allowed if the
replacement is approved by The Annex. We assume that to mean that if a student leaves forthe summer, a suitable replacement can be found to assume occupancy over the summer. Or if
a student leaves at the semester, a suitable replacement can be found to assume the remainderof the lease. I don't understand how this building can be perceived as Airbnb friendly with
this Annex required approval process. Airbnb guests are not vetted in the manner in which wewere vetted to rent the apartment. Airbnb guests are vetted by their ratings provided by
former hosts. We had to provide evidence of income in the way of tax forms or evidence ofsufficient money in the bank to pay the rent. We had to provide social security numbers.
The Annex provides onsite staff Monday through Friday 10am to 6pm. There is no one
around evenings and weekends, no one to oversee this process, presumably the weekends areprime rental time. No one to deal with any issues or noise complaints or damages. No one to
rekey per the contract.
Above all, we are not comfortable with our college age children living in a building whichwelcomes transient occupancy.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
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Audrey E Nolten