Nobody actually landlords here

The investors who own the buildings in which nobody actually lives here, themselves often do not actually live here.

Lauren Elizabeth Wells is the registered agent for the house’s current owner, NOLA Touro St.

Her name is on the Airbnb license for 2109 Josephine St. The license holder for 2111 is Tony Detre. Both list the same California phone number. (No one answered when we called.)

Wells holds a license for another short-term rental on Marais Street near Franklin Avenue, according to city records.

She toured the Josephine Street house early last year, asking the tenants to stand outside while she looked at it, Richards said.

Richards said she asked that day if she would need to find a new place. She said Wells told her she’d get back to her.

In March, both women got an email from NOLA Touro saying the owner “intends to undergo major renovations … which require a vacant property.” They had 45 days to leave. They were told their last month’s rent would be refunded once they left and the property had been inspected.

In October, Wells and Detre applied for their short-term rental licenses.

I guess it's possible they recently moved here to be closer to their investment. But absentee Airbnb ownership seems to be a pretty common pattern.