STR Law

Short-term rentals are booming, but one wrong insurance move can sink your business. In this episode of STR Law, I sit down with Nick Massey from Proper Insurance—the “Lamborghini of STR insurance”—to unpack how hosts can avoid costly mistakes.We cover:Why most homeowners and landlord policies won’t protect you as a hostThe #1 pool and hot tub requirements you can’t ignoreWhat really happens when a guest gets injured (from cliff falls to carbon monoxide claims)How LLCs, waivers, and safety measures strengthen your defenseThe truth about umbrellas, riders, and liability limitsNick shares real-life cases—including a $2M cliff fall, a celebrity CO poisoning, and even bat-related rabies shots—that highlight why the right insurance is non-negotiable for hosts.🎙️ If you’re a host, investor, or property manager, this episode is a must-listen to protect your rental business, your guests, and your peace of mind.🔗 Learn more about Proper Insurance at www.proper.insure#ShortTermRental #AirbnbHost #VacationRental #STRLaw #ProperInsurance #AirbnbTips #VacationRentalHost #RentalProperty #HostTips #AirbnbLife #RealEstateInvesting #VacationRentalTips #AirbnbCommunity #PropertyManagement #AirbnbSuccess

In this eye-opening episode of STR Law, attorney and Airbnb investor Katie Johnson sits down with short-term rental safety expert Justin Ford of Breezeway to break down what may be the largest jury verdict ever involving a short-term rental — a staggering $11.6 million.We dig deep into the case details:The incident that led to a guest’s life-changing injuryThe safety oversights and legal missteps that proved costlyHow the absence of proper signage, LLC protection, and tailored rental agreements played a roleWhy “duty of care” isn’t just a buzzword — it’s your legal lifelineThe most common STR claims (slip-and-falls, pool drownings, fire hazards) and how to prevent themWhether you’re a seasoned STR owner, property manager, or new investor, this episode is packed with real-world lessons to protect your property, your guests, and your business.🎧 Listen now to learn how to keep your rentals safe, compliant, and lawsuit-resistant.#ShortTermRentals #AirbnbHosts #STRInvesting #VacationRentalTips #PropertyManagement #SafetyFirst #STRLawPodcast

Are you confident about your lake access rights? Do you really know where your property line ends? In this episode of STR Law, real estate attorney Adam Toosley of Thompson Coburn LLP joins us to demystify some of the most misunderstood—and litigated—aspects of property ownership.With over 20 years of real estate litigation experience, Adam explains key legal concepts like adverse possession, easements, and riparian rights in plain English. You'll hear how everyday features like an old footpath or misplaced fence can turn into high-stakes legal battles—and what you can do to protect your short-term rental investment.Whether you're already managing a lakefront rental or thinking about buying one, this episode is packed with practical legal insight to help you steer clear of costly mistakes.Tune in, lawyer up, and learn how to protect what’s yours.Key Topics Covered:Adverse possession and boundary disputesLake access rights specific to MichiganWhy a professional property survey is worth every pennyLegal tips for avoiding property line headachesProtecting your STR investment with smart legal stepsContact Adam: https://www.thompsoncoburn.com/people/adam-c-toosley/Schedule a call with Katie: https://calendly.com/katiejohnsonplc/15-minute-consultation#RealEstateLaw #PropertyRights #ShortTermRentals #STRInvesting #RealEstateAttorney #LakefrontProperty #PropertyDisputes #AdversePossession #Easements #RiparianRights #LegalTips #RealEstateInvesting #KnowYourRights #STRLawPodcast #RealEstateLitigation #LakeAccess #MichiganRealEstate #VacationRentalTips #InvestorEducation #ProtectYourInvestment

Thinking about buying a short-term rental in a neighborhood with a Homeowners Association (HOA)? You need to listen to this first. In this episode of STR Law, we sit down with one of the nation’s top HOA attorneys, Kevin Hirzel of Hirzel Law, PLC, to break down everything short-term rental (STR) investors must know before purchasing property in an HOA-governed community.We dive deep into:✔️ The real power HOAs have to restrict or ban short-term rentals✔️ What to look for in the HOA’s bylaws, CC&Rs, and meeting minutes✔️ How and when HOAs can amend rules—and whether you’re protected✔️ The difference between HOA restrictions and municipal zoning laws✔️ How to spot red flags before you buy✔️ What legal options you have if your STR is suddenly targeted✔️ Real-world case studies of HOAs cracking down on rental investorsKevin Hirzel brings a wealth of experience as the Managing Member of Hirzel Law, a Michigan-based law firm that exclusively handles condominium and HOA law. With a national reputation for representing both associations and homeowners in high-stakes litigation, Kevin has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, FOX News, and Detroit Free Press. He also serves as a board member for CAI and teaches continuing legal education on HOA topics.Whether you’re a seasoned STR investor or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you stay legally compliant and avoid devastating HOA surprises.Want to talk to Kevin? https://hirzellaw.com/Want to book a call with Katie - book your free consultation https://calendly.com/katiejohnsonplc/15-minute-consultationKeywords: HOA and short-term rentals, STR investor tips, Kevin Hirzel HOA attorney, Homeowners Association podcast, HOA bylaws STR, investing in HOA property, short-term rental restrictions, STR law podcast, real estate investing and HOAs, legal advice for Airbnb investors

Katie brings land-use litigator Kyle Konwinski onto STR Law to unpack the blockbuster lawsuit that forced the City of Northville, Michigan, to reopen its two main downtown streets—just in time for local businesses to survive the summer. Spoiler: Kyle’s clients won. In this episode you’ll learn:How COVID-era “temporary” street closures morphed into a permanent May-through-November shutdown that gutted weekday foot traffic and slashed some store revenues by 75 percent. Why Kyle organized 700+ owners and residents into a nonprofit, “Let’s Open Northville,” to pool funds and gain standing for injunctive relief instead of damages. The legal playbook:Platted-street rights—owners in a recorded plat hold a private, perpetual right to vehicular access.Takings and ADA claims that amplified pressure on the city. Trial highlights: historian testimony proving the 1840 plat, before-and-after revenue data, and the election of pro-reopening councilmember Laura Genitti. Key takeaway for STR hosts and investors: when a municipality overreaches—whether it’s a street closure or an STR ban—banding together through a nonprofit can level the field and produce real wins. Kyle Konwinski, Partner at Varnum LLPP 616/336-6894kpkonwinski@varnumlaw.comResources & Next StepsFollow @KatieTheReAttorney on Instagram for extra clips and case updates.Love the show? Leave a rating and share with a fellow host.Need a free consultation? Schedule a call with Katie

In this powerful first episode of STR Law, real estate attorney and Airbnb investor Katie Johnson sits down with Sarah Glidewell from the Karwells to unpack the two-year legal odyssey that nearly shut down her Cadillac, Michigan short-term rental, colloquially known as "Orange Cadillac." From city lawsuits and zoning nightmares to grassroots campaigns and a bold pivot to podcasting, Sarah shares how she rallied neighbors, business owners, and local officials to flip the vote and get her property rezoned.You’ll learn:How to navigate rezoning battles and city council politicsTips for gaining neighbor and business supportThe impact of deed restrictions—and how title insurance may (or may not) protect youWhy working with a local attorney can change everythingThe power of persistence, vulnerability, and one last cold-call visitWhether you're a new host or seasoned investor, this episode is a masterclass in staying legal, strategic, and resilient in the face of regulatory chaos.Want to book a call? Click here to schedule your free consultation. Katie is licensed in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Want to get in touch with Sarah? Follow her on instagram - @thekarwells or listen to her next podcast here.🔗 Subscribe now so you never miss the legal insights that keep your rental business protected.Enjoyed the episode? Leave us a review below. Thank you!

🎙️ Episode 2: The Guest Who Wouldn’t Leave — How to Handle Airbnb Evictions, Nightmare Guests, and Legal LoopholesWhat do you do when your Airbnb guest refuses to leave?In this episode of STR Law, I sit down with Tony Stancato, Michigan short-term rental host, investor, and property manager, to unpack a real eviction horror story that every host needs to hear. From a guest who falsely claimed allergies to ladybugs to refusing to vacate the property—despite their reservation being canceled—Tony walks us through how it all went down, how the legal system responded, and what STR hosts can do to protect themselves.We cover:What to do if a guest won’t leave your AirbnbWhether the 30-day rule matters (hint: it’s complicated)What “license to use” language can—and can’t—do to protect youWhat not to do if you’re trying to avoid triple damagesWhy the police may not help (even if you're right)How to revise your guest agreement to be more enforceableThe one move that finally made the guests leave (spoiler: it wasn’t legal action—it was cutting off the internet)Whether age-based booking restrictions (like 25+) are legal or enforceable under the Fair Housing Act and Airbnb policyTony shares lessons learned the hard way, and I break down the legal implications of self-help evictions, trespassing rules, towing cars, and how to avoid turning a bad situation into an even costlier lawsuit.If you’re an Airbnb host, STR manager, real estate investor, or anyone interested in building financial freedom through rental income, this episode is packed with practical legal tips and strategy.Whether you manage one property or a growing portfolio, it’s critical to understand:How to draft a strong guest agreement that actually protects youWhat the eviction process looks like for STRs and midterm staysHow to legally end a stay and regain control of your propertyCommon mistakes hosts make that can trigger legal liability👩‍⚖️ About the Host:Katie Johnson is a real estate attorney, Airbnb Superhost, and short-term rental investor who helps property owners and hosts navigate the legal landscape of vacation rentals. From zoning issues and licensing to lawsuits, evictions, and compliance, she breaks down complex legal topics to help you stay protected and profitable.About Tony: Tony is the founder of Book & Gather, a Michigan-based vacation rental management company serving popular lakeshore destinations like New Buffalo, South Haven, and Saugatuck. He also co-hosts the Michigan Short-Term Rentals Podcast and organizes one of the leading STR conferences in the Midwest. With deep local experience and a strong operational mindset, Tony helps owners scale their Airbnb businesses while navigating compliance, guest challenges, and growth strategy.Listen to Tony's PodcastFollow Tony on Linkedin🎧 Listen now and subscribe if you want to:✅ Avoid legal disasters as an STR host✅ Build a legally sound, scalable Airbnb business✅ Learn from real-world stories and legal insight✅ Unlock financial freedom through short-term rental investing🔑 Smart hosts don’t just hustle. They lawyer up.#STRLawPodcast #AirbnbHost #VacationRental #RealEstateInvestor #FinancialFreedom #AirbnbEviction #ShortTermRentalTips #RentalPropertyManagement #RealEstateLaw #LandlordTips #PassiveIncome #MidtermRental #HostProtection #EvictionProcess #FairHousingAct #AirbnbNightmare #AirbnbLegal #PropertyManagementTips #AirbnbInvesting #STRInsurance #VacationRentalLegal⚖️ Legal Disclaimer:This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this episode should be interpreted as legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship. You should consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice specific to your situation.

Katie is joined by STR Insights founder Kenny Bedwell to break down the real impact of short-term rental regulations. Learn how to spot STR-friendly markets, avoid risky “unregulated” zones, and why community sentiment matters. From zoning maps and resale strategies to pricing hacks and market research, this episode is packed with real talk for serious Airbnb investors. Subscribe now—smart hosts don’t just hustle, they lawyer up. They cover:Why regulation isn't always a bad thing and how it can create opportunityHow Kenny built a national STR database by collecting zoning data from over 3,000 marketsWhy unregulated markets pose serious legal and financial risksKenny’s best-performing property: a case study on ROI in a capped marketHow dynamic pricing and marketing helped him out-earn competitors 2-to-1What “positive community sentiment” means—and why it's crucialCommon regulation traps to avoid (including septic and sprinkler rules)Red flags to watch for when buying: resale limits, deed restrictions, tax implicationsHow to protect yourself: due diligence, picking up the phone, and talking to neighbors👉 Learn more about Kenny’s data tools at strinsights.com or follow him on Instagram at @kenny_bedwell.📧 Got zoning questions or buying in a regulated market? Reach out to Katie at katie@katiejohnsonplc.com#STRLaw #STRHost #AirbnbHostLife #VacationRental #LegalTipsForHosts #ShortTermRental #RealEstateAttorney #AirbnbPodcast