City of Laconia home rentals

[WinnisquamZ]

This issue would have been everyone’s little secret if the owners of the properties in question addressed their neighbors concerns. If I understand the law correctly, each summer home that rents, know of three on my street must apply for a variance to continue to rent. Who will be enforcing this bylaw?


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[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

Who will be enforcing this bylaw?
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First: I agree that this response to an isolated problem is overkill. Noise complaints and a police response would have been sufficient.

But, as to the question of who will enforce it? A few years ago I made repeated complaints to the Laconia Planning Department about repeated flagrant violations of the city's zoning laws. I submitted pictures that documented the violations. As a result of the complaints, the former Planning Director had letters sent to the violator with instructions to stop the violations. The violations continued.

I met with the former Planning Director demanding fines and court action. She informed me that they could not take any court action because they had not taken court action in the past with previous unrelated violators. Her contention was that they could be sued by the current violator because they had ignored previous violators. Huh? Does that mean you can never enforce the zoning regulations because you have never enforced the zoning regulations?

Subsequently, the City Manager told her to not have any further discussions with me and stop taking my calls and ignore my emails.

So, I guess that means you can do whatever you want because Laconia refuses to enforce it's zoning regulations

[garysanfran]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

First: I agree that this response to an isolated problem is overkill. Noise complaints and a police response would have been sufficient.

But, as to the question of who will enforce it? A few years ago I made repeated complaints to the Laconia Planning Department about repeated flagrant violations of the city's zoning laws. I submitted pictures that documented the violations. As a result of the complaints, the former Planning Director had letters sent to the violator with instructions to stop the violations. The violations continued.

I met with the former Planning Director demanding fines and court action. She informed me that they could not take any court action because they had not taken court action in the past with previous unrelated violators. Her contention was that they could be sued by the current violator because they had ignored previous violators. Huh? Does that mean you can never enforce the zoning regulations because you have never enforced the zoning regulations?

Subsequently, the City Manager told her to not have any further discussions with me and stop taking my calls and ignore my emails.

So, I guess that means you can do whatever you want because Laconia refuses to enforce it's zoning regulations

A way to collect the $275/day fine, however.

What an incredible story you've shared here.

[Mr. V]

People in Laconia who use the internet to rent their properties out should not be heard to complain about having to pay the same tax that motel/resort owners pay.

Fair is fair.

[Red apple]

Originally Posted by Mr. V

People in Laconia who use the internet to rent their properties out should not be heard to complain about having to pay the same tax that motel/resort owners pay.

Fair is fair.

I would say the people renting have no issue (OK maybe some) paying the state and town tax fees like a Hotel/Motel. In fact VRBO does have a line item you can add your tax to and the renter will be billed as a added expense. The major issue I see here is that the town will only "go after" people that have complaints against them. So if I don't like the neighbor down the street because ...and he rents his house out i just make a phone call to the town and wham he is screwed.. I just don't think that is right it should a a law or not a law.

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by Red apple

I would say the people renting have no issue (OK maybe some) paying the state and town tax fees like a Hotel/Motel. In fact VRBO does have a line item you can add your tax to and the renter will be billed as a added expense. The major issue I see here is that the town will only "go after" people that have complaints against them. So if I don't like the neighbor down the street because ...and he rents his house out i just make a phone call to the town and wham he is screwed.. I just don't think that is right it should a a law or not a law.

sort-of sounds like the Gustapo:

[8gv]

The city becomes aware of the illegal renting via the complaint.

That requires fewer hours of investigative time.

It's the low hanging fruit.

With enough media attention and a few first hand "I got fined" testimonials, I would expect greater compliance would follow.

If the ordinance is inappropriate citizens can bring pressure to bear on their elected representatives.

Failing that, one could run for office.

[garysanfran]

Originally Posted by 8gv

The city becomes aware of the illegal renting via the complaint.

That requires fewer hours of investigative time.

It's the low hanging fruit.

With enough media attention and a few first hand "I got fined" testimonials, I would expect greater compliance would follow.

If the ordinance is inappropriate cotizens can bring pressure to bear on their elected representatives.

Failing that, one could run for office.

"Illegal renting"...

The illegal activity should be the noise, not the renting. I love it when the proposed solution for those in opposition to Govt. policy is that the citizens can vote them out...or..."One could run for office" themselves!

Crap! One issue politics.

I can't wait for my fellow voters to become educated, and I don't have the time to hold office myself...Besides I live in California and, I suppose, should not have an opinion on this local subject.

[joey2665]

It should be an even playing field. If patrons staying at a motel/hotel short term must pay the 9% occupancy tax then so should patrons of short term rentals of all kinds no matter if it is through a broker, website of advertisement. People renting their vacation homes should not have an upper hand over a business that has invested in their property and community as an on going concern.

[garysanfran]

Originally Posted by joey2665

It should be an even playing field. If patrons staying at a motel/hotel short term must pay the 9% occupancy tax then so should patrons of short term rentals of all kinds no matter if it is through a broker, website of advertisement. People renting their vacation homes should not have an upper hand over a business that has invested in their property and community as an on going concern.

I go through Bayside Rentals for any rental activity and they handle all of this for me. Pay the tax. Keep the noise level low.

If I pay my tax, but the neighbors complain about noise, should I be disallowed from renting?

An ongoing behavioral problem at a rental property, after the police have dealt with the occupants, and got no satisfaction, should become the landlord's problem. The neighbors then file a negligent landlord complaint against the landlord. Problem in San Francisco is that rent control limits what a landlord can do about behavioral problems. And this is a City with some real behavioral problems.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

I go through Bayside Rentals for any rental activity and they handle all of this for me. Pay the tax. Keep the noise level low.

If I pay my tax, but the neighbors complain about noise, should I be disallowed from renting?

An ongoing behavioral problem at a rental property, after the police have dealt with the occupants, and got no satisfaction, should become the landlord's problem. The neighbors then file a negligent landlord complaint against the landlord. Problem in San Francisco is that rent control limits what a landlord can do about behavioral problems. And this is a City with some real behavioral problems.

No you should not. If the tenants are violating any local ordinance then they should be the ones that are fined.

[8gv]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

"Illegal renting"...

The illegal activity should be the noise, not the renting. I love it when the proposed solution for those in opposition to Govt. policy is that the citizens can vote them out...or..."One could run for office" themselves!

Crap! One issue politics.

I can't wait for my fellow voters to become educated, and I don't have the time to hold office myself...Besides I live in California and, I suppose, should not have an opinion on this local subject.

Well what does one do if one's elected representatives are not upholding or striking down ordinances that one finds of interest?

Is there a lawsuit to be had?

Shall one storm the castle with pitch forks?

Everyone can have an opinion.

Not everyone has standing.

[garysanfran]

I don't know...

Wondering if Lowes sells pitch forks...

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

I don't know...

Wondering if Lowes sells pitch forks...

They do, and after 30 days you can return it for a refund of your money. And don't forget to stop by Wal-Mart to get one of their $4.97 noodles on sale, which can be cut up and used as protection for the sharp prongs on the pitchfork. Safety first... Yabadabado !

Dave