COMMUNITY-POWERED. SUSTAINABILITY DRIVEN.

We empower short-term rental communities to collaborate and further responsible renting for the benefit of people, places, and planet.

WHAT WE DO

Rent Responsibly is an education and community-building platform for short-term rental operators. We help owners, hosts, and managers navigate their local laws, professionalize their hospitality businesses, and rent responsibly.

Alliance Support Services: Our alliance technology and support are evolving to meet the needs of alliances in 2024 and beyond, including new tools to help you grow your membership and new resources to make leading your organization 10x easier. We take on the most time-consuming admin work and technology management to enable your board and volunteers to focus on what matters most.

Community: Our private Rent Responsibly Network for STR operators of all kinds and our STR Community Builders group for current and aspiring alliance leaders both provide a place to connect with your peers, learn, share resources, and level up everything you do.

Education: Our library of resources, calendar of events, and inspiring feature profiles help hosts of all sizes and experience levels learn how to rent the right way, from professionalization to good neighbor practices to sustainability and more.

Collaboration: In all that we do, we work together with industry and travel partners to cultivate symbiotic relationships between the short-term rental sector and local travel ecosystems. Thus, we help ensure private accommodations enable destination communities to grow and manage tourism sustainably for decades to come.

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Spark 2024 Workshop
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HOW WE GOT HERE

Rent Responsibly was created by passionate industry veterans who recognized firsthand just how difficult it was to organize, educate, and build solutions from within the STR community when we are disconnected. Our co-founders set out with the question, What if it was easy – extremely easy – for short-term rental operators to find each other, distribute information about requirements and regulations, share best practices and education, maybe even have a little bit of fun doing it?

KEEP READING...

 The original concept for Rent Responsibly was born years before the mission took shape. In 2016, Dave Krauss, then the co-founder and CEO of NoiseAware, and his team jumped into a Winnebago for a roadshow from Seattle to Los Angeles meeting with customers along the way. On this “Rent Responsibly Roadshow,” something amazing happened: groups of short-term rental operators greeted Dave and his team in each city they stopped in excited to invite their neighbors and city officials to speak about responsible renting practices and excited to meet fellow hosts from their neighborhoods – many of whom had never met each other despite living in the same community. 

Over the next couple of years, as Dave traveled the country speaking with STR hosts and managers about good neighbor practices and nuisance prevention technology, he consistently heard from the “good apples,” those folks who were doing everything they could to be great neighbors and stewards of their community, that they were struggling to build local STR community groups. 

Then, in 2019, one of these community leaders, Alexa Nota, a former vacation rental manager, marketer, and journalist covering short-term rental regulation, was establishing a local STR alliance to keep her fellow community members informed of the new rules her city was considering. When Alexa told Dave it took her over 40 hours just to get her alliance up and running, they both agreed that going it alone when it comes to alliance-building wasn’t sustainable for any person nor the industry.   

Ultimately, it was in New Orleans at an industry trade show in October 2019 that Dave and Alexa shook hands agreeing to try to build the platform for STR operators that would reduce the time it takes to create an STR community from 40 hours to 4 hours. Dave left NoiseAware and Alexa left her marketing company in the rearview to bring Rent Responsibly into existence. 

In December 2019, with proceeds from Dave and his wife’s short-term rental as seed funding, the strategy took shape. Using Alexa’s industry and regulatory insight and alliance-building formula and Dave’s extensive connections with owners, hosts and managers across the country, they would see if their strategy could gain traction. It did.

What started as a team of two virtually supporting a handful of groups just as the pandemic was bringing about its own wave of challenges is now a growing team of industry-leading professionals, supported by partners, working with dozens of groups around the country. Our suite of services and tools now includes full-service alliance management, a leadership development community, and proprietary community-building software.

The mission: To empower short-term rental communities to collaborate and further responsible renting for the benefit of people, places, and planet.

OUR VALUES & MINDSET

Community

COMMUNITY FIRST

We embody what it means to go farther together. We are actively inclusive. We foster collaboration and teamwork to create win-win-win solutions.

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TRAILBLAZING

We are curious and intrepid. We embrace new challenges as an opportunity to progress. We test and innovate consciously, learn from experiments, and adapt with agility. In doing so, we act with sustainability in mind, and we map a trail to educate, empower and uplift others.

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CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

We are organized, hard-working, goal-driven, and we adhere to rules. We act proactively and in good conscience. We are diligent, operating with integrity and to a high standard of quality. We actively care for the wellbeing of ourselves, others, and our environment.

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AUTHENTICITY

We lead by example and act in accordance with our values, both professional and personal. We’re human, and we embrace it. We are people-centric, fun, creative, and positive.


I wholeheartedly believe there is a win-win solution to every challenge.

ALEXA NOTA

Co-Founder & COO

MEET RENT RESPONSIBLY’S TEAM

David Krauss, Co-Founder & CEO

David Krauss is the Co-Founder and CEO of Rent Responsibly where he leads a passionate team creating the short-term rental industry’s first community-building and education platform.

David discovered his hospitality and entrepreneurial genes through becoming an STR host 2012. Before hanging up the keys in 2019, he was honored as one of the longest-tenured Superhosts in the world. Early in his hosting journey, an incident with loud guests inspired him to co-found NoiseAware, a “smoke detector for noise.” Through this work, he met thousands of passionate STR hosts and managers who wanted to build a local STR community but lacked the tools or support to do so. In 2019, he and his co-founder, Alexa, decided to take the lead in creating the industry’s first community-building and education platform. That platform is Rent Responsibly.

Outside of work, you can find him getting his daily steps (shoutout to FitBit), reading American history biographies (shout out to Doris Kearns Goodwin), screaming at the TV when Boston sports are on (shoutout Cs, Bs, Sox, and Pats), and spending time getting lost in nature with his wife, Courtney.

Alexa Nota, Co-Founder & COO

Alexa Nota is the Co-Founder of Rent Responsibly where she leads company operations and communications.

Prior to this role, Alexa’s career in marketing and journalism intersected with the short-term rental industry first as a marketing director at a property management company on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

Later she became vice president of VRM Intel. There, she crossed paths with David as she reported on STR regulatory battles around the country and quickly realized the need – and her passion – for organized, effective STR advocacy.

She now also serves as the Founder and President of the Chapel Hill Short-Term Rental Alliance and served as co-chair of the 2019-2020 Chapel Hill STR Town Task Force.

Outside of work, you can find her traveling, taking classes, reading, or hiking with her husband, Allen, and dog, Guinness.

Dana Lubner, Director of Community Development

Dana Lubner leads Rent Responsibly’s advocacy efforts, working closely with local alliance leadership teams to ensure their success.

Previously, Dana led Effortless Rental Group, a Colorado-based property management company, alongside her brother. When Denver created an ordinance that stifled the future of STRs in her community, she jumped into action with her local advocacy group, Mile High Hosts, of which she is now the President. She also serves on Denver’s short-term rental advisory committee (STRAC) with members of City Council.

Abbi Booth, Director of Alliance Operations

Abbi leads our local alliances in getting set up and navigate their journey to becoming a self-sustaining organization.

Before joining the Rent Responsibly team, Abbi served as the Executive Director of ACES: The Society for Editing and Program Manager at the Society for Professional Journalists. Abbi’s background in association management sparked her passion for helping volunteers come together to achieve their goals.

Abbi is a native Hoosier who relocated to the Lake Tahoe area. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband, spending time with her two dogs and cat, cooking, and, of course, some good red wine.

Garrett Dobbs, Director of Product

Garrett manages the design and development of our products, ensuring that we are listening to our community and delivering valuable and impactful solutions.

Before Rent Responsibly, Garrett was the Head of Product at NoiseAware for five years where he designed the company’s noise sensors, mobile software, web software, packaging, and more. In addition to design, he also managed NoiseAware’s development teams, supply chain, and user research programs. NoiseAware is where Garrett first met Dave Krauss and became familiar with many of the passionate STR communities that he is now excited to support at Rent Responsibly.

Garrett holds a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Stanford (where he was also a member of the 2010 national champion mens volleyball team), an M.S. in industrial design from Art Center, and an M.B.A. from the Peter Drucker school. Outside of work, Garrett is usually balancing his love for any kind of outdoor activity with his guilty pleasure of playing video games.

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Tanya Keller, Brand Manager

Tanya focuses on growing the digital presence and brand excitement at Rent Responsibly. In the four years prior, Tanya reconnected with her passion for the arts by completing a graphic design degree while welcoming her two kids into her family. Previously Tanya held digital and event marketing roles in Los Angeles and Hong Kong. Tanya’s knowledge of community management, digital strategy, and event planning will help guide Rent Responsibly’s growth.

Outside work, you can find her exploring outdoors with her two kids and husband, making travel plans, and trying to find time for yoga!

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Paris Achen, Staff Writer

Paris covers all of our written content, from our Humans of STRs series to case studies to guides, and more.

Before joining the Rent Responsibly team, Paris worked as a journalist at several newspapers in the U.S. and Turkey. Her background reporting on housing issues for the Portland Tribune in Oregon inspired her to want to write more about the short-term rental industry. She is especially interested in how STRs have served as an economic vehicle for homeowners, like her, who would have struggled to own a home without the option of renting out part of it. Paris enjoys listening to people’s stories and writing content that leaves her readers feeling more connection to their fellow humans.

Outside of work, Paris loves to experience new cultures and landscapes around the world as well as returning home to Oregon to connect with her community and soak up the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys hiking, spicy food, and spending time with her rescue cats.

Want to be a part of this team? We’d love to have you!

RESOURCE LIBRARY

Checklists, guides, worksheets and more to elevate and protect your short-term rental hosting.

FIND YOUR LOCAL ALLIANCE

Connect with short-term rental hosts in your area. Find your local resources and support.

GET YOUR DIY ALLIANCE GUIDE

Download the ultimate guide to building a self-sustainable short-term rental alliance.

TEAM SPOTLIGHT

Rent Responsibly Team Breckenridge Colorado

Tanya Keller: The creative genius behind Rent Responsibly’s expanding audience

If you have ever browsed the posts and stories of the Rent Responsibly Instagram page, you have seen the artistic touch of brand manager Tanya Keller.

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Garrett Dobbs: The tech guru behind Rent Responsibly short-term rental alliance services

Garrett Dobbs, Director of Product at Rent Responsibly, has a motto: “Business interest and social interest are not exclusive to one another, and it is the task of the 21st-century business to do well by doing good.”

Lindsey Montoya Project Manager at Rent Responsibly at team retreat.

Lindsey Montoya: The face behind sought-after Rent Responsibly events

The face behind Rent Responsibly educational webinars and virtual events is project manager Lindsey Montoya.

Tanya Keller: The creative genius behind Rent Responsibly’s expanding audience

If you have ever browsed the posts and stories of the Rent Responsibly Instagram page, you have seen the artistic touch of brand manager Tanya Keller.

Garrett Dobbs: The tech guru behind Rent Responsibly short-term rental alliance services

Garrett Dobbs, Director of Product at Rent Responsibly, has a motto: “Business interest and social interest are not exclusive to one another, and it is the task of the 21st-century business to do well by doing good.”

Lindsey Montoya: The face behind sought-after Rent Responsibly events

The face behind Rent Responsibly educational webinars and virtual events is project manager Lindsey Montoya.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Rent Responsibly work with alliances?

Simply put, our role is to support local alliances to achieve the goals that their leaders set out. We support them with many administrative and strategic support services, including member organization, leadership development, partner coordination, and technology. By taking these tasks off their plates, leaders and advocates are empowered to spend their limited time where it will go the farthest: effectively engaging with their members and their communities. Learn more about our services here >

What does Rent Responsibly NOT do?

Rent Responsibly does not provide services or guidance in political campaigns, lawsuits or other legal pursuits, lobbying, accounting and finance, or other specialized professional services. We also do not lobby on behalf of ourselves, our clients, or any members of our network. (However, when possible, we will provide referrals to such professionals via members of our network with direct connections.)

What’s Rent Responsibly's policy position?

We don’t have policy positions. We believe that STR ordinances are best when fair to all in a community: STR operators, neighbors, local businesses, city personnel, and all others. A fair ordinance can only be created when all voices are at the table. We help local STR operators pull up a chair and work collaboratively with other community stakeholders not just on ordinances but on implementation and non-regulatory community initiatives.

Is Rent Responsibly a non-profit or for-profit organization?

Rent Responsibly is organized as a for-profit C-corporation. We focus on a triple-P bottom line equally prioritizing people, planet, and profit.

How does Rent Responsibly make money?

Great question! Rent Responsibly’s startup costs were self-funded by our co-founder, David Krauss. Today, we earn revenue from four key sources:

  • Our partners empower our work with STR alliances to provide them with free support and premier services at affordable rates. Our partners are chosen for their alignment with our mission and track record of long-time support STR advocacy. They contribute financial support as well as data, responsible hosting resources, and more. Learn more about our partners here >
  • Alliances looking for professional support hire us for association management services and technology. Learn more here >
  • We work together with sponsors on events and major research projects, such as our Better Stays Together events series and the State of the STR Industry Study and Report >
  • We work together with DMOs via our Bridge Program to provide educational tools and events to their STR communities.

Does Rent Responsibly work with or for the OTA platforms?

Expedia Group, parent company of Vrbo, has been a long-time and valued partner of Rent Responsibly. We work collaboratively with their public affairs teams on specific local advocacy needs, compliance education, good neighbor education, and major research projects. We work with their partner success team and their events team to provide education about traveler trends, market data, and how to keep listings up to date with requirements. With platforms and other partners, we act as a clearinghouse of industry-wide advocacy support in service of one shared partner: responsible short-term rental operators.

How is Rent Responsibly different from industry associations?

Rent Responsibly is not an association. We provide local and state STR alliances with association management services and software. We collaborate with many associations to provide education, share resources, and connect the broader STR community around the country. See our alliance directory here >

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