Councilors heard sharply contrasting public testimony at an Oct. 30 oversight hearing on short-term rentals. An East Boston resident described repeated disturbances and a major party that required a police response; a longtime host and neighborhood advocates offered differing perspectives on regulation and the role of platforms.

"We have experienced noise disturbances, including a loud and really large Airbnb party that required police response last July," said Hania Bank, who identified her address and said two units in her three-unit building were being used for short-term rentals by owners who do not live at the address. She said guests left building doors open at night, improperly disposed trash that attracted rodents, and that building insurance "does not cover short term rental activity," creating potential financial exposure for neighbors. Bank told the committee that ISD issued $300 fines that she called insufficient because "when an illegal rental brings at $300 per night, the fine becomes meaningless."

A remote witness, identified as an Airbnb host from Jamaica Plain, described hosting since 2012 and said short-term hosting has been "literally a lifesaver" for artists who use small amounts of rental income and that platforms collect and remit hotel-occupancy tax. Another remote witness and a neighborhood activist in the Back Bay described worrying loopholes and called for tightened rules.

Councilors raised multiple street-level examples during questioning of ISD: 108 and 110 Trenton Street in East Boston had applications denied and tickets issued; 13 Margaret Street in the North End was alleged to have frequent 2-3 day turnovers despite being registered as a hospital stay; and other addresses were cited as recurring complaint locations. ISD said some listings that appear to be short-term are set at 29 nights on the platform to avoid the short-term threshold.

Speakers on all sides urged more robust verification, faster platform takedowns and greater coordination between ISD, the police and platforms. Councilors and staff agreed to schedule a working session to review the ordinance, technological tools and enforcement practice.