Living in shared housing in New Orleans comes with certain safety measures that must be followed. The Short-term Rentals Administration (STR Office) is responsible for regulating short-term rentals (STR) in the parish of Orleans (city). This office is located within The OneStop Shop (OneStop), a citizen-centered service center within the City Hall that provides direct access to many of the city's essential regulatory departments. The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they rent or buy a home, obtain a mortgage, apply for housing assistance, or participate in other activities related to housing.
Housing providers must make reasonable accommodations and allow reasonable modifications that may be necessary for people with disabilities to enjoy their housing. The “Healthy Housing” ordinance is a historic measure that establishes basic living standards for rental housing throughout the city. This ordinance requires that every living space must have at least one window that faces directly to the outside or to a patio, and the minimum total glazed area for each living space. Landlords who break housing regulations and don't fix problems quickly could risk being fined and, in extreme situations, could lose their city registration and lose their electrical connection. The New Orleans City Council also approved a measure to create a new “Fund against Tenant Displacement”, which would provide assistance to tenants who meet the requirements to obtain new housing.
Airbnb website, which manages rental spaces in private houses and apartments, published a press release stating that it had managed 20,000 reservations for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival alone.
Understanding Your Rights as a Tenant
It is important to be aware of all safety measures in place when considering shared housing in New Orleans. Knowing your rights as a tenant is essential for ensuring your safety and comfort. The Fair Housing Act protects tenants from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. This means that landlords cannot refuse to rent to someone based on any of these characteristics.Additionally, landlords must make reasonable accommodations and allow reasonable modifications that may be necessary for people with disabilities to enjoy their housing.
