City of Laconia home rentals

[Outdoorsman]

And yet your tax rate keeps going DOWN

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...211ac6db9.html

[greeleyhill]

Originally Posted by Outdoorsman

And yet your tax rate keeps going DOWN

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...211ac6db9.html

The tax rates may have gone down but the valuations on lakefront homes (only on lake front homes) in Laconia went up close to 20% last year. Hard for me to celebrate a reduced tax rate under those circumstances.

[8gv]

I found it interesting to listen to the radio news story saying that the Laconia tax rate went down.

What matters is the tax bill.

Mine went up.

[kjkam]

Most people did, unless you were a business in the region, example valuation of the naswa went down almost 15%, as the result of a 30% reduction in the value of the land, imagine that they figure the land that the naswa sits on is equal in value to that of a 1/4 acre single family lot on paugus bay

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by greeleyhill

The tax rates may have gone down but the valuations on lakefront homes (only on lake front homes) in Laconia went up close to 20% last year. Hard for me to celebrate a reduced tax rate under those circumstances.

Its raising the pants or lowering the shirt. No matter what they achieve their goal and end up will increasing our property tax.

[Major]

Board denies requests for variances.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...fef0cb552.html

[Red apple]

Originally Posted by Major

Board denies requests for variances.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...fef0cb552.html

I see appeals and lawsuits coming for the City! A quick search this morning and there are over 70 rentals online in Laconia from one night, weekly and monthly. Another search there are many other towns and city's in the US with the same concerns and many have lost and the homeowners were allowed to due as they were with rentals. There has to be a happy medium so the homeowners and towns can agree. Living in the Lakes Region were rentals are popular and people spend anywhere from $2500-$25,000 per week and I as a homeowner would like to know if the money was needed I could rent our homes.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Major

Board denies requests for variances.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...fef0cb552.html

Another reason why I left Long Bay. I am very familiar with 7 Rose Point as I was just around the corner. Those condos, along with the condo next door to my single family home have seen short term rentals for many years and from first hand ID I can tell you there were no issue I have seen.

This is again the sub HOA's within Long Bay and the city council overreaching their boundaries that continue to hamstring homeowners. Long Bay, Southdown and all the sub HOA's rule and regulation you to death. Yes HOA's need rules but they always take it a set too far which is again why I left. I am now in a different HOA that is much more reasonable with its rules.

[TiltonBB]

This regulation is a huge mistake for the city and a knee jerk reaction to isolated incidents.

The Lakes Region has a long history of rentals and it is a great way to introduce new visitors to the area. They bring cash, support local businesses, and enjoy all that the area has to offer. Many will return year after year and some will end up buying property either as a vacation home or even a full time home. It makes no sense to place unnecessary restrictions on property owners. Some property owners are only able to hang on to their homes because of the financial help that renting provides.

The homeowners associations can deal with their communities and when that does not apply anyone can make a noise or disturbance complaint to the police.

The amount of problems reported does not seem to have risen to the level that a new regulation was needed in the "Live Free or Die" state. And, the house that was at the root of the problem has been sold to someone who does not intend to rent it.

I hope that there is a reconsideration of this and the city reverses this action.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

This regulation is a huge mistake for the city and a knee jerk reaction to isolated incidents.

The Lakes Region has a long history of rentals and it is a great way to introduce new visitors to the area. They bring cash, support local businesses, and enjoy all that the area has to offer. Many will return year after year and some will end up buying property either as a vacation home or even a full time home. It makes no sense to place unnecessary restrictions on property owners. Some property owners are only able to hang on to their homes because of the financial help that renting provides.

The homeowners associations can deal with their communities and when that does not apply anyone can make a noise or disturbance complaint to the police.

The amount of problems reported does not seem to have risen to the level that a new regulation was needed in the "Live Free or Die" state. And, the house that was at the root of the problem has been sold to someone who does not intend to rent it.

I hope that there is a reconsideration of this and the city reverses this action.

I don't have property in Laconia but this sets a bad precedent for other communities to follow.

[Irish mist]

Laconia NEVER fails to disappoint in so many ways. Absolute mismanagement of the city on every level.

[Major]

Originally Posted by joey2665

Another reason why I left Long Bay. I am very familiar with 7 Rose Point as I was just around the corner. Those condos, along with the condo next door to my single family home have seen short term rentals for many years and from first hand ID I can tell you there were no issue I have seen.

This is again the sub HOA's within Long Bay and the city council overreaching their boundaries that continue to hamstring homeowners. Long Bay, Southdown and all the sub HOA's rule and regulation you to death. Yes HOA's need rules but they always take it a set too far which is again why I left. I am now in a different HOA that is much more reasonable with its rules.

I've lived full time in Long Bay for 10 years and prior to that in South Down part time for 7 years. I am against renting in Long Bay, especially on a weekly basis. My feeling is that if you can't afford a second home without renting on a weekly basis, you shouldn't own. Historically, renting was allowed to enable those who can't afford a second home to afford one. However, now that South Down and Long Bay are nearly fully developed, that need does not exist. There seems to be an ample amount of people who can afford second homes. Weekly rentals should not be allowed in a residential environment.

My wife and I use the Long Bay beach often, and we can definitely tell who are renters. 75% are decent and nice, and the remaining 25% are somewhat obnoxious. I would prefer not having to put up with the 25% at all.

My experience with the Long Bay and South Down rules and regulations have been minimal. I don't think they over manage, but we have a tendency to stay in our lane.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Major

I've lived full time in Long Bay for 10 years and prior to that in South Down part time for 7 years. I am against renting in Long Bay, especially on a weekly basis. My feeling is that if you can't afford a second home without renting on a weekly basis, you shouldn't own. Historically, renting was allowed to enable those who can't afford a second home to afford one. However, now that South Down and Long Bay are nearly fully developed, that need does not exist. There seems to be an ample amount of people who can afford second homes. Weekly rentals should not be allowed in a residential environment.



My wife and I use the Long Bay beach often, and we can definitely tell who are renters. 75% are decent and nice, and the remaining 25% are somewhat obnoxious. I would prefer not having to put up with the 25% at all.



My experience with the Long Bay and South Down rules and regulations have been minimal. I don't think they over manage, but we have a tendency to stay in our lane.

I completely disagree on many levels. First of all I was a board member on a sub HOA in Long Beach for 10 years and without a doubt they overregulate you on many issues from small building issues to paint colors to nonsense about golf carts etc. etc. as far as renting goes, It’s my house and as long as my tenants abide by the rules of the HOA’s then there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be able to have short term tenant. I don’t believe the boards have a right to tell me I can and cannot rent again as long as the tenants stay within the regulations and rules if they violate the rules fine there should be some type of penalty for the owner which I have no problem with


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[Major]

Originally Posted by joey2665

I completely disagree on many levels. First of all I was a board member on a sub HOA in Long Beach for 10 years and without a doubt they overregulate you on many issues from small building issues to paint colors to nonsense about golf carts etc. etc. as far as renting goes, It’s my house and as long as my tenants abide by the rules of the HOA’s then there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be able to have short term tenant. I don’t believe the boards have a right to tell me I can and cannot rent again as long as the tenants stay within the regulations and rules if they violate the rules fine there should be some type of penalty for the owner which I have no problem with


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If I live in a residential neighborhood, I would not want weekly rentals. That is why such rentals are zoned out of residential neighborhoods. Long Bay is a residential neighborhood. If you lived on Holman Street in Laconia, zoning laws would prohibit you from renting weekly. Long Bay should be no different. Obviously, there is no issue when tenants comply with the rules. Issues arise when tenants don't comply. Threats and fines are inadequate recourse for when issues arise, and unfortunately, the occur far too often.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Major

If I live in a residential neighborhood, I would not want weekly rentals. That is why such rentals are zoned out of residential neighborhoods. Long Bay is a residential neighborhood. If you lived on Holman Street in Laconia, zoning laws would prohibit you from renting weekly. Long Bay should be no different. Obviously, there is no issue when tenants comply with the rules. Issues arise when tenants don't comply. Threats and fines are inadequate recourse for when issues arise, and unfortunately, the occur far too often.

Yes but this was allowed until recently. As someone whose neighbor rented weekly in LB and being on a board in LB there were little to no complaints at all. In fact most of the complaints reported were in regards to owners violating rules, not tenants

[Major]

Originally Posted by joey2665

Yes but this was allowed until recently. As someone whose neighbor rented weekly in LB and being on a board in LB there were little to no complaints at all. In fact most of the complaints reported were in regards to owners violating rules, not tenants

Just because it was allowed doesn't necessarily mean it was the right thing to do. As the owner of a small business, the last thing I want to hear my employees say is that "we always did it that way." In this case, it was probably a bad idea to allow weekly rentals, but was tolerated to encourage people to purchase properties. That time has passed. I'm just one vote, but I'd vote against it.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Major

Just because it was allowed doesn't necessarily mean it was the right thing to do. As the owner of a small business, the last thing I want to hear my employees say is that "we always did it that way." In this case, it was probably a bad idea to allow weekly rentals, but was tolerated to encourage people to purchase properties. That time has passed. I'm just one vote, but I'd vote against it.

I owned a small business also for 30 years. Your missing my point, the law should have never been changed, you are restricting my rights as a landowner. There were just are not enough complaints to justify the change, this came over one specific incident and the rest are now paying for it. Laconia is a vacation destination and now you are limiting visitors who rent homes on a weekly basis so the home will just sit empty when there could be renters that patron the businesses around the lake.

[Major]

Originally Posted by joey2665

I owned a small business also for 30 years. Your missing my point, the law should have never been changed, you are restricting my rights as a landowner. There were just are not enough complaints to justify the change, this came over one specific incident and the rest are now paying for it. Laconia is a vacation destination and now you are limiting visitors who rent homes on a weekly basis so the home will just sit empty when there could be renters that patron the businesses around the lake.

I don't think I am. While I agree with you emotionally on some level, the "right" you assert is based on less than solid ground. Had the planning department and city council enforced the zoning laws since the beginning of SD/LB, the "right" you reference would not exist. There is no right. Owners in a residential neighborhood do not expect nor want weekly rentals. There should be no difference for owners in Long Bay.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Major

I don't think I am. While I agree with you emotionally on some level, the "right" you assert is based on less than solid ground. Had the planning department and city council enforced the zoning laws since the beginning of SD/LB, the "right" you reference would not exist. There is no right. Owners in a residential neighborhood do not expect nor want weekly rentals. There should be no difference for owners in Long Bay.

I’m not saying there should be. I think all Laconia should be allowed to short term rent and there were allowed to until recently. I think your statement that owners “do not expect nor want weekly rentals” is quite broad and you nor I have any way of knowing if it’s accurate.


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[Red apple]

So I guess my question is does the zoning board have the right to pick and choose who they allow to short term rent and who they say no to. I just watched the three hour town meeting (it is on you tube if you search it) and there is no way that I can see that renting your home by the week through VRBO or the night with Air B2B is that you can prove a hardship.With that said the board said no to all three that at that nights meeting and most likely will continue to say no to everyone that comes in for a variance.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Red apple

So I guess my question is does the zoning board have the right to pick and choose who they allow to short term rent and who they say no to. I just watched the three hour town meeting (it is on you tube if you search it) and there is no way that I can see that renting your home by the week through VRBO or the night with Air B2B is that you can prove a hardship.With that said the board said no to all three that at that nights meeting and most likely will continue to say no to everyone that comes in for a variance.

So much for “Live Free or Die”


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[fatlazyless]

So, "how can a residential property suddenly turn into a commercial property in a residential area? I would think that local homeowners have a right to have their neighborhood remain a private residential neighborhood."


* copied from 1/02/19 www.ConwayDailySun.com, letters to the editor from Lorene Miklos

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by joey2665

So much for “Live Free or Die”


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They need to change that logo. It no longer rings true.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Biggd

They need to change that logo. It no longer rings true.

Unfortunately you are correct

[swnoel]

Originally Posted by Top-Water

Meaningless IMHO

From the article: The numbers that really mean anything are below.
This fiscal year, the amount to be raised by taxes for the city, schools and the county was more than $44 million, compared to $42.8 million in the previous fiscal year.

1.2 million dollar increase.

Just read an article about Manchester, 72% of property tax payers did NOT have a child in the school system! That's frightening and I wonder what those percentages are in other cities and towns?

[TiltonBB]

The Manchester number of taxpayers (72%) who did not have a child in the school system is an interesting fact.

I don't know if anyone has ever taken the time to figure it out but it would be interesting to know the percentage of tax revenue in the lake front towns that comes from non voting (non-resident) taxpayers. The Manchester statistic is the number of taxpayers, the dollar numbers would tell a different story.

[tis]

The so called rich towns which include the towns around the lake better watch the legislature. They are again talking about making us pay even more in taxes to help out the "poorer" towns. If they come up with anything like they did last winter our taxes will increase a lot!

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by tis

The so called rich towns which include the towns around the lake better watch the legislature. They are again talking about making us pay even more in taxes to help out the "poorer" towns. If they come up with anything like they did last winter our taxes will increase a lot!

Maybe the 9% room tax on short term rentals would help. At least it mostly comes from tourists and not residents and seasonal residents.


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[DUFF821]

I don't live in Laconia, but what about the people that have to live next to these rentals? It's a terrible feeling living next to strangers every weekend. People are more concerned with paying taxes than they are for their neighbors safety and piece of mind. Would you want to live next to one of these rentals or is it a "not in my backyard" mentality. It's time for regulations on short-term rentals regardless of the zoning.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by DUFF821

I don't live in Laconia, but what about the people that have to live next to these rentals? It's a terrible feeling living next to strangers every weekend. People are more concerned with paying taxes than they are for their neighbors safety and piece of mind. Would you want to live next to one of these rentals or is it a "not in my backyard" mentality. It's time for regulations on short-term rentals regardless of the zoning.

I am in Laconia and have been in two different neighborhoods with rentals next door. I have never really had a major issue, asked one to tone it down a little once. Remember these are homes mostly near or on the lake and many owners are non residents like myself. Besides many of the gated communities around the lake already allow and have short term rentals

[kauriel]

We previously owned a condo and I personally thought the weekly renters were much better behaved than the longer term winter renters. We never had an issue with the weekly summer renters but had some issues with noise and odor with winter renters. Hopefully the city can find ways to minimize disruptions from both types of renters instead of just focusing on those that may be bringing in tourism.

[garysanfran]

Originally Posted by DUFF821

I don't live in Laconia, but what about the people that have to live next to these rentals? It's a terrible feeling living next to strangers every weekend. People are more concerned with paying taxes than they are for their neighbors safety and piece of mind. Would you want to live next to one of these rentals or is it a "not in my backyard" mentality. It's time for regulations on short-term rentals regardless of the zoning.

Guess you never lived in a City?

I know less than 50% of my neighbors. Lots of them are renters. Some of them I know "of" from afar and don't want to get to know them any closer. No matter where you live, you can have problem neighbors...Some could be owners and not renters. A bad weekly renter will be gone in a week. A bad home owner may be there forever.

Why are renters here getting this bad rap? They're all people and not all people behave the same. Is it the 9%?...Pay it.

Two years ago I had a neighbor, on the Lake, rent their place to some folks from Russia. They were GREAT! Loved their company better than the permanent owners. I have another permanent neighbor I would gladly trade for an unknow weekly.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

Guess you never lived in a City?

I know less than 50% of my neighbors. Lots of them are renters. Some of them I know "of" from afar and don't want to get to know them any closer. No matter where you live, you can have problem neighbors...Some could be owners and not renters. A bad weekly renter will be gone in a week. A bad home owner may be there forever.

Why are renters here getting this bad rap? They're all people and not all people behave the same. Is it the 9%?...Pay it.

Two years ago I had a neighbor, on the Lake, rent their place to some folks from Russia. They were GREAT! Loved their company better than the permanent owners. I have another permanent neighbor I would gladly trade for an unknow weekly.

Most weekly renters are respectful, most not all, but many of the longer winter renters are not as nearly good.