June has been packed with major legislative developments—headlined by Hawaii’s groundbreaking new climate impact fee.
In this month’s lowdown, we’re breaking down everything you need to know, from potential changes in Orange County to new measures in South Lake Tahoe, South Carolina, Missouri, and abroad. We’ve also got the latest shifts from Airbnb and Vrbo you won’t want to miss.
Let’s take a look!
In Airbnb news…
Updates to payment terms heading your way
Airbnb is updating its payment terms, with the new rules taking effect for existing users on September 8, 2025. Here are some key changes:
- Payout timing adjusted for new hosts: Hosts who don’t have two completed stays yet (unless they’ve verified at least one listing) and hosts who are in breach of Airbnb’s terms will now receive payment one business day after guest check-out—no more immediate payouts at check-in.
- Payout entity updates (Canada): Canadian hosts will see payouts handled by Airbnb Payments Canada Inc., with funds held in safeguarded pooled accounts and contract terms updated accordingly.
- Clarity on payment methods and schedules: New terms define how and when Airbnb may adjust payout schedules, update payment method details automatically, and introduce optional “Pay Part Now, Part Later” or recurring payment options.
These changes aim to enhance transparency but may impact your cash flow and risk exposure—so review the new terms and adjust your financial planning accordingly.
What do you need to do? If you signed up for Airbnb before June 26, 2025, you’ll automatically accept the updated Payment Terms unless you choose to delete your account before they take effect on September 8. If you joined Airbnb on or after June 26, 2025, you’ve already agreed to the new terms—no further action is needed.
Read more about Airbnb’s updated payment terms here.
It’s (not) time to party
Airbnb is also doubling down on its anti-party technology, using machine learning to block high-risk bookings—like short stays and last-minute reservations—to help protect hosts and reduce disruptions.
The platform has reported a 50% drop in party-related incidents since its global ban in 2020, and over 51,000 bookings were stopped during major U.S. holidays alone. As regulatory pressure grows in Europe, with cities like Barcelona planning to phase out all licensed STRs by 2028, Airbnb is stepping up its safeguards to promote responsible hosting while navigating tighter rules.
The official partner of…FIFA?
That’s right—Airbnb has teamed up with FIFA as the official alternative accommodations partner for three major tournaments:
- FIFA Club World Cup 2025™
- FIFA World Cup 26™
- FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™
The partnership includes exclusive Airbnb Experiences—like a training session with U.S. legend Tim Howard—and aims to give fans unique ways to connect with the sport beyond the stadium.
With over 380,000 guests expected to book through Airbnb for the 2026 World Cup—set to take place across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico—the economic impact is projected to hit $3.6 billion across host cities, benefiting local businesses and creating thousands of jobs. Airbnb is also launching a $5 million Host City Impact Program to support community initiatives and ensure the benefits of tourism are felt well beyond game day.
What does this mean for hosts? It’s never too early to check if any of these tournaments will be held near your property. If so, make sure to put dynamic pricing to work to ensure you get the best rate possible during the tournament dates.
Vrbo launches early bookings and last-minute deals
Vrbo has unveiled a new global promotions suite to help hosts attract more guests through smart, customizable discounts.
Hosts can now easily activate deals for early bookings (those made 60+ days in advance) and last-minute bookings (those made 0-30 days in advance), which appear as search filters to boost visibility and fill calendar gaps. 300,000 last-minute deals are already live on Vrbo—just in time for the Fourth of July.
Future features will include member-only offers, mobile-targeted promotions, and tools to help new listings stand out. With flexibility and ease of use at its core, the suite empowers hosts to tailor pricing strategies to their business goals while giving travelers more value.
Want to take advantage of these promotions? Activate them today! All you have to do is navigate to the Owner Dashboard within your Lodgify account and go to Calendars > Settings > Promotions. Select Create a promotion, choose either Early Booking or Last Minute, and enter the necessary details.
Your monthly rules and regulations roundup
Hawaii embraces first-ever climate impact fee
The climate crisis has been top of mind in Hawaii ever since wildfires ravaged Maui in August of 2023. Now, the state government is taking action to protect against future disasters with the nation’s first-ever “Green Fee.”
This fee will consist of a new tax on tourist accommodations to help fund climate resilience and environmental protection. Starting in 2026, the state’s transient accommodations tax will rise to 11%, with local county taxes pushing the total up to 14% in some areas—affecting hotels, cruise cabins, and short-term rentals alike.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green made the following comment in a press release:
As an island chain, Hawaiʻi cannot wait for the next disaster to hit before taking action. We must build resiliency now, and the Green Fee will provide the necessary financing to ensure resources are available for our future.”
The tax is expected to generate $100 million annually, which the state says will go toward disaster preparedness and preserving Hawaii’s natural ecosystems. However, some local groups are raising red flags, warning that without a dedicated fund, the revenue could be diverted away from its original environmental goals.
How will this fee affect hosts? While the fee will be passed along to travelers, it will serve to raise nightly rates—potentially impacting your occupancy. It may be worth looking at updating your pricing strategy before the fee comes into effect.
Changes coming Orange County’s way? Maybe
Meanwhile, Orange County officials are reevaluating short-term rental rules in response to rising concerns over unpermitted properties, party houses, and lax enforcement.
With major events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics on the horizon, cities are under pressure to tighten regulations and improve tax collection practices. Some areas, like Fullerton, have already paused new STRs, while others are considering safety-focused measures like school buffer zones.
What will Orange County decide? Only time will tell. But as enforcement ramps up, vacation rental hosts in the area should stay informed and ensure compliance to avoid disruptions.
Deadly shooting prompts one-year STR freeze in Columbia, SC
Following a tragic shooting at an Airbnb in Columbia, South Carolina on June 6, which resulted in one death and three injuries, the Columbia City Council has enacted a one-year freeze on new short-term rental permits.
While Columbia has an existing short-term rental ordinance in which owners are held responsible for their guests’ conduct via a penalty point system, it faces criticism for lax application in high-impact areas. City officials are pressing pause to scrutinize enforcement gaps—noise, over-occupancy, and guest screening included.
Current hosts will still be able to renew their licenses during the moratorium, and are encouraged to get ahead of upcoming policy shifts by boosting supervision, guest vetting, and community engagement.
VHR ordinance amendments in South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe is updating its vacation home rental rules, with new regulations taking effect on July 17.
What’s new? The biggest change is a 150-foot buffer between single-family VHRs located outside designated tourist areas.
An initial application period will open for operators in good standing with VHR permits sometime before July 17, after which new applications will be accepted. The city plans to review the ordinance’s impact in a follow-up meeting on September 9, so be sure to stay alert for further changes.
Jackson County, Missouri delays STR tax change until 2027
Jackson County, Missouri has hit pause on plans to tax short-term rentals as commercial properties until at least 2027, giving local hosts a temporary win.
A new ordinance caps property tax hikes at 15% over the next two years and protects homes rented for fewer than 30 days from reclassification. This move offers much-needed stability as officials continue to review STR tax policies and statewide efforts push to keep vacation rentals classified as residential.
Around the world
STR legislation has been a hot topic in Europe as well this month. Here are the top updates from June:
- Spain is proposing a 21% value-added tax (VAT) on short-term tourist rentals—more than double the hotel rate—in a bold move to tackle the housing crisis and rein in the impact of mass tourism on local communities.
- Barcelona is cracking down on illegal short-term rentals, targeting hundreds of unlicensed listings on Airbnb.
- Anti-tourism protests have been erupting across Spain, Portugal, and Italy as locals demand stricter regulations on short-term rentals, blaming mass tourism for rising housing costs and strained city infrastructure.
- Athens has extended its city-centre ban on new short-term rental permits through 2026, aiming to ease the housing crunch as tourist demand—and STR pressure—continues to climb.
Who’s to blame for overtourism? The debate continues
And speaking of mass tourism in Europe, the debate over who’s to blame—hotels or short-term rentals—continues with new data from a recent Airbnb report.
Airbnb claims that hotels still dominate the market, accounting for nearly 80% of guest nights in EU cities, while STRs make up just 22%—arguing that cruise ships, airlines, and hotel growth are the true drivers of tourist surges. The company also positions STRs as part of the solution, helping disperse tourism beyond overcrowded city centers.
Nevertheless, travel giant TUI and hospitality groups like HOTREC strongly disagree, pointing to rising STR numbers, housing pressures, and poor guest behavior as major concerns. As protests spread and new regulations loom in cities like Barcelona and Amsterdam, the battle over STRs’ role in European tourism is only intensifying.
Legionella warning for UK hosts
One last note for our UK readers: With Legionnaires’ disease cases hitting a record high, the UK government is urging short-term rental hosts and property managers to take action against Legionella bacteria ahead of the busy summer season.
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious lung infection caused by breathing in water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria, and it can be life-threatening. Experts recommend flushing water systems, checking temperatures, and using rapid testing to detect the bacteria within 25 minutes—helping protect guests, ensure compliance, and avoid costly health risks.
See you next time!
With booking platforms rolling out fresh tools and policies, plus growing pressure on STRs in key markets, staying informed is your best strategy. Whether it’s adapting to new taxes, boosting guest safety, or leveraging promotions, being proactive now means staying ahead in a fast-changing landscape.
Keep your finger on the pulse, and we’ll catch you next month with the latest updates and insights!
