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Myke Leatham | Brazos County Realty

Myke Leatham | Brazos County Realty

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Attention: Short Term Rental Registration Goes into Effect Oct 1, 2020

September 23, 2020 by Myke Leatham

Well, they did it!  There were 4 members of the College Station city counsel  specifically who bent over backwards to implement the short term rental registration and hotel tax on it’s residence which now needs to be past on to everyone who comes into town.  It’s evident that they love big government and look for ways to raise taxes and make life just a little less comfortable for those who try to get ahead in life. What’s really funny is, now that they’ve imposed these new rental permits, rental inspections, renewal fees, and fines, the city now has to employ new staff to implement  the restrictions and look over the shoulders of people who have been operating short term rentals like Airbnb’s and VRBO’s for years and doing  just fine without big brother looking over their shoulder.  Now, as of October 1, 2020, Failure to file the required reports and to remit payment is a MISDEMEANOR PUNISHABLE BY A FINE AND A PENALTY OF 15% OF THE TAX DUE FOR EACH THIRTY (30 DAYS THAT THE REPORT IS NOT FILED OR THE PAYMENT IS NOT MADE.  Thank you very much College Station City Council for looking out for the residence and making life a little less comfortable and enjoyable to dwell .  Thank you to those of you who fought against the city imposing more ordinances, taxes, rules, and regulations.   Personally…I’m sick of it.  Vote them off of city council!

Most Sincerely, Myke Leatham

SHORT-TERM RENTAL HOUSING

An ordinance regulating short-term rental housing in College Station goes into effect Oct. 1, 2020. A short-term rental is a residential unit that’s rented out for fewer than 30 consecutive days. It includes single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, multi-family units, and manufactured homes.

Short-term rental operators must have a permit and collect and remit hotel occupancy taxes. The ordinance was approved by the city council on June 25, 2020, and included a 90-day implementation timeline to establish procedures, set up hotel tax collection, and allow STR hosts to get permitted. A permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance and must be renewed annually.

Short-term Rental Permit Fee – $100
Short-term Rental Inspection Fee – $100
Short-term Rental Permit Renewal Fee – $75

Short-term rental operators also must:

  • Provide an informational brochure to guests that includes pertinent neighborhood information, how to contact the operator, and local emergency numbers.
  • Equip the dwelling with working life safety equipment such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors if using gas/propane, and one fire extinguisher per floor.
  • Maintain the unit in compliance with applicable city codes.
  • Collect and remit hotel occupancy tax from guest stays, filing on a monthly basis

HOW TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT

STEP 1:
Request access to the online permitting system by emailing [email protected] with your name, permanent (i.e., your homestead property) address, email address, and phone number. You must receive a login and password before applying online.

STEP 2:
Know your STR type. The ordinance permits three categories of STRs, and the zoning of your property is relevant to your respective category. To find your zoning, go to the city’s interactive map, click the layer icon on the upper right, then select “Zoning” from the options.

Non-Owner-Occupied STRs: Homes in General Suburban, Restricted Suburban, or Wellborn Restricted Suburban may be permitted only if they are owner-occupied. However, the ordinance also includes a grandfathering provision where operators of non-owner-occupied properties may apply for a permit by Nov. 27. The applicant must demonstrate that the unit has previously been used as a short-term rental through evidence of hotel occupancy tax remittance. To illustrate continuous use, proof of tax remittance must cover a period of at least six of the last 12 — or 12 of the last 24 — months immediately preceding October 2020.

STEP 3:
Apply online. Be sure to include the proper documentation: homestead exemption (if required), Guest Information Guide, and hotel occupancy tax evidence, if applicable.

STEP 4:
When notified, schedule your Life Safety Inspection to ensure your STR meets the ordinance’s life safety requirements. For most STRs, inspections are also required for renewal.

STEP 5:
Receive your permit when your application is approved.

STEP 6:
Register with Avenu Insights to set up your hotel occupancy tax remittance and report filing. The ordinance requires that Hotel Occupancy Taxes be assessed and collected by short-term rental operators. The Code of Ordinances authorizes a hotel occupancy tax equal to 7% of the occupant’s consideration where the cost of occupancy is at least $2 per day.

On the last business day of the month after the month of collection, entities required to collect the tax must file a report and remit the appropriate taxes. Failure to submit the report and remit payment is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine and a penalty of 15% of the tax due for every 30 days that the report is not filed or the payment is not made.

What are hotel Occupancy taxes?
A hotel’s owner, operator or manager must collect hotel taxes from their guests. For the purposes of the state tax, a hotel is considered to be any building in which members of the public rent sleeping accommodations for $15 or more per day. Local hotel taxes apply to sleeping rooms costing $2 or more per day.
The tax covers hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts, as well as condominiums, apartments and houses rented for less than 30 consecutive days. This includes short-term rentals. Hotel tax does not apply to hospitals, sanitariums, nursing homes, student dormitories operated by colleges and universities, or condominiums, apartments and houses leased for more than 30 consecutive days.

How are local occupancy taxes used?
Under the State’s Tax Code, expenditures of hotel occupancy taxes must directly enhance and promote the tourism industry in College Station.

Are Short term rentals required to collect and remit hotel occupancy taxes?
Yes. According to the Tax Code, a short-term rental is subject to hotel occupancy taxes (see Tex. Tax Code § 156.001(c)).

What is the hotel tax rate for College Station, Texas?
7% of the consideration paid by the occupant of any hotel or short-term rental where the cost of occupancy is at the rate of $2 or more per day.

How often do hotel occupancy taxes have to be submitted?
Every month. On the last business day of the month following the month of collection, every person required to collect the tax must file a report through Avenu Insights, the City’s contracted hotel occupancy tax collector. A report must be filed every month, regardless of whether any stays were recorded and taxes collected.
Avenu Insights offers online filing at revds.com.  For questions, contact Avenu Insights at (866) 556-7274 or by email at [email protected].

I own a short term rental.  How do I remit these taxes?
First, to operate a short-term rental in College Station, you must receive a permit by applying online. Once you’ve received your permit, you’ll need to file and remit your taxes through Avenu Insights, the City’s contracted hotel occupancy tax collector, on a monthly basis. Avenu Insights offers online filing at revds.com.

I thought Airbnb takes care of my taxes?
Some companies like Airbnb have an agreement with the State of Texas to collect and remit the appropriate taxes on behalf of hosts registered with the platform. However, this only covers the 6% state tax rate. Hosts must also file and remit the appropriate local hotel occupancy taxes to the City of College Station and Brazos County.

Is there a penalty for late filing?
Yes. Failure to file the required reports and to remit payment is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine and a penalty of 15% of the tax due for each thirty (30) days that the report is not filed or the payment is not made.
Violations of the STR ordinance (such as nonpayment of hotel occupancy taxes) may result in permit revocation or denial of your permit at renewal.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions about the STR ordinance or registration process:
Code Enforcement Division
Community Services Department
979.764.6363
[email protected]

For complaints about STR operators:
Code Enforcement Division
Community Services Department
979.764.6363
[email protected]
SeeClickFix

For questions about Hotel Occupancy Tax:
Avenu Insights
800.556.7274
[email protected]

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Category: airbnb, College Station Community, Community, homeaway, house hunting, Information, Investment properties in College Station, properties for lease in College Station, Rentals, Vacation rental

About Myke Leatham

I’m so glad you found me – your College Station and Bryan, TX real estate source! When you choose to buy or sell a home in College Station/Bryan, TX or other surrounding areas using our expert services, you will receive a free consultation to determine your needs, free listings, and free reports sent to you by email. These weekly reports will show you how hard the members of my team are working to accomplish your property goals, and we guarantee the best service and consultation you have ever experienced. You’ll find the best community information for the College Station, Texas region right here.

It’s nice to know YOUR Realtor will still be of service after the sale.

Experience Counts: Broker/Owner of Brazos County Realty
Over 25 years of sales experience. With past ABR, GRI, CRS, & Epro designations.
Continuing education in real estate: Education is paramount in an ever changing industry like Real Estate. Myke has taken over 1000 hours of real estate specific courses which include but are not limited to: Residential Appraisal, Marketing, Law Contracts I & II, Finance, Residential Inspections, Principles and Practice, Law of Agency, Code of Ethics, Bankruptcy/Easements/Surveys/and Probate, Home Warranties, 1031 Exchanges and hundreds of hours of extensive real estate training.

Reputation: SALES LEADER since 1998; Top Producer 2000 through 2009. Listed among the top agents in the county. Consistently ranked among top realtors for total sales volume out of 900 realtors for commercial and residential real estate in the Bryan/College Station, TX area. When Myke represents buyers, she presents all viable options to her clients, including those properties that are not officially listed, but could be available for sale based on her inside information. Her expertise lies with investors and marketing homes of all price ranges in College Station/Bryan to local, national and global buyers, across all major media channels and through her extensive, personal network of contacts.

Myke is among the top 1% of all Realtors in North America!
She has earned the Designations of ABR (Accredited Buyers Representative), CRS(Certified Residential Specialist), GRI (Graduate of Realtors Institute)CHMS (Certified Home Marketing Specialist), and E-pro (Certified Internet Professional)
Fewer than 3% of all Realtors nationwide earn these certifications. They are not only a symbol of Myke’s commitment to this business, but these designations are your assurance of a skilled, trained real estate professional.

Myke is a consummate real estate professional who not only understands the art of deal-making, but also the art of relationships. She makes the process of buying and selling homes an uplifting and fun experience. She has a tremendous appreciation for Bryan and College Station, its rich history, and Texas A&M traditions having lived in the area for 25 years. Her knowledge of Bryan/College Station’s real estate market and market trends is unparalleled. Having been personally involved with clients through their remodeling, purchasing and selling processes, she knows intrinsic quality and value when she sees it. When she doesn’t see it she lets her clients know, without hesitation.
Myke’s proven track record and affiliations in the field of real estate demonstrates her high level of professionalism.

* High energy and enthusiasm
* Aggressive marketing
* Expert negotiating skills
* Ability to listen and ascertain customer’s desires and needs
* Fun to be with
* Internet savvy
* Because Myke is an experienced investor, she quickly helps her customers locate and define good business opportunities. No one likes the feeling of being ‘sold to’ so Myke provides as much information as possible to help you make the right decision.

Personal Commitment:
I am prepared to go the ‘Extra Mile’ for you, because I understand the financial and emotional significance of purchasing and selling your home. I will carefully listen to your desires and arrive at a workable plan. I believe sensitivity, listening, and service are important keys to success.
Whether you are buying or selling a home or you are just curious about your home’s market value, I’d be happy to provide my market expertise and intelectual property without obligation, or meet with you to evaluate your home for future reference. I want my customers to have a great time and enjoy the total process of purchasing or selling property. It gives me great pride when my customerspass my name on to their friends and family. I will continue to work hard to make sure critical information is available at www.AggieRealEstate.com and I invite all interested investors to search my site for cash flow opportunities. I will dedicate my time and talents to helping you achieve your goals. It is my goal to make your buying and selling experience extraordinary. Look closely and you’ll see how much I love meeting and working with people. You’ll experience the difference in working with an experienced and dedicated professional.

Personal information:
Michelle goes by ‘Myke’ and is the proud mother of 6 children – 3 girls and 3 boys. Her husband is David Leatham. They met at Brigham Young University. They have been married since 1977. David is a finance professor, and Associate Head over graduate studies in the Agricultural Economics Department at Texas A&M University, and speaks fluent Spanish. They have lived in College Station since 1983 and loved every minute of it. Myke loves to quilt, sing, swim, ‘sing’, bake bread, ‘sing,’ garden, ‘sing’, sell real estate, and ‘sing some more’ :-). Family, church, and real estate consume most of her time. Truth, honor, integrity, kindness, loyalty, gratitude, and service are very important words to her.

Slogan: ‘Let Myke Help You With Your HOMEwork!’

Referrals: The highest compliment I can get is when you pass my name on to others or post a kind remark on the internet. When you send your friends and family my way, I’ll always provide them with the highest quality of service that I know you would appreciate. Thanks in advance for all your support and friendship.

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