MYTHS ABOUT TRANSIENT LODGINGS

There are only a few bad actors and they only occasionally create a problem

 False

The truth can be seen by the number of “Homes not Hotels” signs in the yards of residents. [photo] Their outrage was not caused by one or two renters once or twice a year. Nationwide neighborhoods, cities and counties are rebelling because of the destruction to communities caused by short term rentals. [link to website list of other prganizations]

The main issues with STRs are noise, trash and parking and these can be handled by local ordinanances. – False. 

The overriding issue is that Transient lodgings bring many thousands of strangers into residential neighborhoods every year.  A single transient lodging having an average of only six people per week results in over 300* transients in that one house. When there are ten transient lodgings on your dead end street, that brings in over 3000* transients walking and driving past your home – all strangers who would’ve never been there.  We have over 35 rentals in our neighborhood, that means over 10,000 strangers walking, driving, and golf carting down our road. 10,000 strangers as opposed to the 70 residents that used to live there.

STR's bring needed money to the community – False

The truth is the local businesses and the city government were successful and doing fine before the invasion of transient lodgings into residential neighborhoods. Yes, they bring some additional sales to some businesses, but renters choose these group lodgings over hotels because they have kitchens. When transients pool their money to rent a house for the week or weekend, they often bring their own food and booze. Overflowing garbage at the end of the week is visual proof of that. [photo – garbage from just 3 days]

The Side-Gig – It’s just a way to help home owners with their mortgage - False

Airbnb began as a side-gig for homeowners but now it’s become a real estate investment industry. Today, only 25% of Airbnbs in Miami-Dade County are private rooms, while 75% are entire homes or apartments owned by investors that don’t live there. It’s become the same nationwide.

I have property rights and therefore should be able to do what I want with my property – False

That argument is absurd and self-serving.  If it were true, there could be no zoning. Zoning districts such as commercial, industrial, tourist and residential are set up by cities to ensure the common good and quality of life by restricting property rights.

They should be called Vacation Rentals or Short Term Rentals not Transient Lodgings – False.

Real Estate Investors and Big-Tech platforms use the term Vacation Rentals because it feels good --everybody likes vacations.  But the reality is these rentals are not just for vacations. They are used for graduation parties, pop-up mass parties, stag parties, weddings, drug sales. They are lodgings for transients, not residents. Rentals can apply to anything from cars to tools to umbrellas.  And when a large group of people pool their money to congregate for a night or weekend, they come for a party, not a vacation. They are called transient lodgings in Florida statutes because that is the accurate description.

Transient lodgings replace neighbors you knew and trusted with hundreds of unknown strangers.  

They hang around in the pools, back yards, docks and balconies.  These hundreds of strangers have no registration requirements other than that of the advertising platform. They may include registered sex offenders, drug dealers, or even prostitution rings. A beach front rental was used recently to make a porno film in Indian River County! The 3-story lodgings often overlook the family pools and backyards next door.  The transients can play loud music, drink and use foul language all day because they are not working, and they don’t care about who lives next door – they’ll be leaving soon. 

Transients bring crime to neighborhoods.  

The 9-13-22 Sheriff’s department IRB monthly crime report showed the 5 assaults, the rape and the vehicle burglary were all committed by transients, none by residents. Articles report the many shootings, stabbings, and drug sales at transient lodgings. Visit AirbnbWatch.com to see the many horror stories and crimes from transient rentals in every state.

The influx of thousands of transients rightfully brings fear to the residents 

Once peaceful, safe neighborhoods, many Indian Rocks Beach residents will no longer allow their children and grandchildren to walk on neighborhood streets. Residents who never before felt the need to lock their doors, now lock their doors to keep unknown transients from entering their homes uninvited.

Transients and STR owner don’t care about or contribute to the community. 

A community is created by caring residents who know each other and see one another when walking, biking, driving or at churches and at community events. Residents join together to help the community in social groups including Homeowners, Action 2000, Rotary, Beach Art Center, Greentown Kids and more. Residents volunteer their time for beach clean ups, intra coastal waterway clean ups, food pantry and for the community celebrations Oktoberfest, Beachfest, Taste of IRB, Lighted Boat Parade, Christmas Street Parade, Christmas Tree lighting and Flag Day Ceremony. Transients and many owners are the opposite of this – they have no tie to the community, and in fact transient lodgings displace the residents that create a community.

* The numbers of transients are often much greater, because many of these businesses advertise beds for 12 or 16 or more. In our Harbor Drive neighborhood, there are now 37 transient lodgings; one advertises “sleeps 10” but most are 14, 16 and even much more. At only 50% occupancy, guess how many transients each year are now going back and forth on that road? Over 20,000 transients! Each year there are now over 20,000 strangers going in and out of that neighborhood instead of the 80 neighbors that used to reside in those houses.

We are not against short term rentals. However, transient lodgings or other commercial businesses should not be located in residential neighborhoods. Of course all transient lodgings should be required to follow the same regulations that apply to hotels and motels for the safety, security and protection of renters.