A resolution to hire Host Compliance LLC for $24,900 a year to locate and identify these units and then assist with enforcing the city’s regulations will be introduced at Tuesday's City Council meeting. If approved, the city would have an option of renewing the contract for a second year.

Strange said the city’s primary goal is to have the hosts follow the rules.

“There’s no intent to penalize them or to prosecute them,” Strange said. “It’s to get them to actually comply what’s required.”

A majority of the short-term rental units available in Madison, about 400, are offered through Airbnb.

In addition to the contract with Host Compliance, the city will also consider entering into a voluntary collection agreement with Airbnb. The agreement would allow Airbnb to collect the room tax payments from Airbnb hosts and give those payments to the city.

A typical Airbnb host rents the listing about 49 nights per year and earns roughly $5,100 per year, according to the city. Over the last year, the city estimates there were about 19,000 Airbnb guest arrivals in the city with an average length of stay of about three nights.

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