New Orleans Illegal Rentals in the News

Entrance to New Orleans City Hall

Once in a while we get an inquiry about our rates.  We've set our rates in accordance with industry standards around our neighborhood and with an eye to paying our bills.  We are a legally licensed bed and breakfast.  This means we have to adhere to certain standards.  We are professional innkeepers.  We are not doing this on a lark, renting out a spare room to make a little walking around money.

The reason we became innkeepers is because we love our adopted city.  We love the opportunity our pleasant profession allows us to introduce people to New Orleans, and to our neighborhood in particular.  I'm sitting on our front porch as I write this and I can eyeball three other New Orleans B&Bs from where I am.  There are two more just a little further down Esplanade Avenue.  It's a lovely part of the city.

I'm sitting where the shutters are open

We also enjoy restoring a landmark home on one of the most beautiful streets in the city.  How much of a landmark is it?  Ask anyone in the tour buses that pause as they pass on the other side of the street.

Sometimes, we get an inquiry about our rates and the enquirer will point out that they can get a room cheaper on airbandb or on vrbo (vacation rental by owner).  I understand that.  If I were inclined to let a stranger sleep on my couch for money, I wouldn't charge much  either.  To each his own.  We maintain five spacious two-room suites furnished with antiques and original artwork.  Each suite has a private bath and balcony.  We also maintain immaculate gardens in the back.

The rentals on airbandb and vrbo are predominantly illegal rentals. They are unlicensed.  They don't pay taxes.  They are not inspected for safety or cleanliness.  People who rent these places, like the people who stay in them, are breaking the law.  We can't stop you from staying there aside from providing a little moral suasion.  We can point to an oft-repeated maxim: You get what you pay for.  

Here's another:  Let the buyer beware.

There was an item on the local news recently about this very subject.  I tried to embed the video to save you some clicking and advertisements, but that seems impossible.  Here is the link instead.

There was a story in the paper recently about an illegal rental on airbandb that was the home where a woman had been murdered.  The blood had been cleaned up, but do you want to sleep on that mattress?  The choice is yours, of course.

We are a professional and spotlessly clean New Orleans B&B in which no one has been murdered.  Our website address is www.whaleheadking.com.  We may not be the best fit for everyone visiting New Orleans for a romantic getaway or an adventurous long weekend, or even for a week and a half.  We are pleased to report that very, very, very, very, very few people leave us unhappy.  It is our job to make sure that they don't.

A votre santé,
La Belle Esplanade bed and breakfast.