Nantucket’s ‘Off-Season’ Rentals: A Necessity for Year-Round Business Success

Jonathan Miles, a Nantucket business owner since 1990, has witnessed firsthand the intricacies of the local economy and the unique challenges that come with maintaining a high quality of life on the island. As his company grew over the years, he recognized the importance of providing year-round housing for his employees to ensure a reliable workforce that could return year after year.

However, with many employees only spending four months on the island, finding permanent housing proved impractical. In response, short-term rentals became essential in meeting the housing needs of their 32 employees during the eight months when they were not using it themselves.

While utilizing short-term rentals during the off-season has not resulted in significant financial gains, it has been crucial in sustaining their operations and preserving local employment. Banning short-term rentals would leave many properties vacant for most of the year, putting both their businesses and Nantucket’s economy at risk.

Miles emphasizes that tourism is a vital component of Nantucket’s economy and that eliminating short-term rentals would have negative consequences on local businesses and spending. To maintain prosperity on Nantucket Island, it is essential to preserve the option of short-term rentals. Failure to act on this issue could have significant repercussions that cannot be ignored.