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This week the Lawrence City Commission will consider removing the limit on the number of short-term rentals landlords can own in preparation for the World Cup this summer. I thought one of the main purposes of regulations limiting the number of short-term rentals was to protect the long-term rental stock, which for years the city has claimed we don’t have enough of.
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When the city passed their new land development code that allowed for higher urban density, I thought one of the arguments was we need more housing. So if we had to change our land code so landlords can build bigger buildings with more units to keep up with the long-term housing demand, why are we going to temporarily suspend a protection for long-term rentals?
Related news article:
• Lawrence city commissioners to consider lifting short-term rental rules during World Cup, Jan. 5, 2026
The city’s argument is that there will be an increased demand for short-term rentals due to all the visitors. That’s most likely true, but I’d argue that’s also why long-term renters need the regulations in place. Landlords can charge the most for short-term rentals when there is the most demand. This summer will have more demand for short-term rentals than ever before, which means some landlords might make more renting a place out to a visitor for the World Cup than renting it out for the summer to a Lawrence resident. Doing away with the limit of short-term rentals a landlord can own could increase prices for long-term rentals as long-term rentals are converted to short-term rentals for the summer.
The need for long-term rentals won’t decrease because the World Cup is coming and the need for short-term rentals is increasing. It bothers me that the city is doing away with regulations meant to protect the long-term housing market at a time long-term renters need protection the most. If there aren’t enough rental units to allow for unlimited short-term rentals during times of no tourism, how is there suddenly enough now for this summer with the World Cup coming?
— Chris Flowers (he/him), Lawrence
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