City of Laconia home rentals

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

You are mistaken on several issues...

The City of Laconia suffers from a lack of affordable housing and this stifles the economic growth of the city. If investors continue to buy up the existing affordable housing stock with airbnb/vrbo business plans, this problem will never be resolved.


There are airbnb/vrbo rentals all over the city. They are the reason for these strict rules. A lot of these rentals are in family neighborhoods. I would argue that an airbnb/vrbo next door would lower my property value. Nobody wants to live next to an unregulated no tell motel party house in a residential neighborhood.

You most certainly can exempt waterfront property from the airbnb ordinance. You can make exceptions for DEEDED water access as well. No exemption for water views should be allowed.

Woodsy

Sorry as an investor in the area and some to be full time resident in July we will have to agree to disagree.

Short term vacationers do not want to rent downtown or anywhere that is not a decent neighborhood and too far from the lake.

In most vacation areas such as Florida, Vermont ect where short term rentals are more prevalent it actually helps the property value not reduce it as as stated brings in investors and helps the economy.

I do not think it would be far to limit to certain areas people should be allowed to maximize their investment if they so choose.

Again this is an overextension of government regulations that were an overreaction to a very few isolated incident.

[Red apple]

So they passed this now what...Anyone that lives in there home more than 150 days a year (good luck to the city proving you do not) and wants to rent under 14 days at a time needs to register with the city. Lets see how that goes and how many actually do this and if they do will they pass? I know that some that I know of are in lower levels of homes and people made a "bedroom" but the the room does not have a large enough window to meet today building codes for egress so will that pass??. Next if you have this type of a rental home next to you and do not want it as you live in a residential area the way it is written (or was) just need to have three legitimate complaints whether it is noise, people on your property, parking etc, etc....and then the town will issue a cease and desist and they can no longer rent and that home and that will stay with the property even when it is sold. So why even pass this law as before this it was the same way and the city only got involved when there was issues and then issued a cease and desist.. Seams like a lot ow work was done in the city on this but the outcome was not worth the time.

[WinnisquamZ]

Originally Posted by Red apple

So they passed this now what...Anyone that lives in there home more than 150 days a year (good luck to the city proving you do not) and wants to rent under 14 days at a time needs to register with the city. Lets see how that goes and how many actually do this and if they do will they pass? I know that some that I know of are in lower levels of homes and people made a "bedroom" but the the room does not have a large enough window to meet today building codes for egress so will that pass??. Next if you have this type of a rental home next to you and do not want it as you live in a residential area the way it is written (or was) just need to have three legitimate complaints whether it is noise, people on your property, parking etc, etc....and then the town will issue a cease and desist and they can no longer rent and that home and that will stay with the property even when it is sold. So why even pass this law as before this it was the same way and the city only got involved when there was issues and then issued a cease and desist.. Seams like a lot ow work was done in the city on this but the outcome was not worth the time.

Enforcement will be one startup issue. If it was me I would inform those renting units they must issue a copy of the city permit with each rental agreement signed. Also, the city should make it known by advertising and other means that permits are required. This would cover some liability if a renter must be removed from a illegal rental unit


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[joey2665]

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

Enforcement will be one startup issue. If it was me I would inform those renting units they must issue a copy of the city permit with each rental agreement signed. Also, the city should make it known by advertising and other means that permits are required. This would cover some liability if a renter must be removed from a illegal rental unit


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Enforcement, especially by the above standard being set will end up costing the city a fortune. Just what Laconia needs, more negative cash flow.

[Red apple]

Originally Posted by joey2665

Enforcement, especially by the above standard being set will end up costing the city a fortune. Just what Laconia needs, more negative cash flow.

Along with opening them up for lawsuits now... As once permitted and a guest gets hurt and finds a building code violation they will go after the city as well as they homeowner.

[WinnisquamZ]

Originally Posted by Red apple

Along with opening them up for lawsuits now... As once permitted and a guest gets hurt and finds a building code violation they will go after the city as well as they homeowner.

A legal rental must be inspected before a permit is issued. So how would the city be liable for a illegal rental or safety violation? I see the inspection process as a opening of a can of worms. Will the city use this tool as a enforcement for other issues that may arise


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[Red apple]

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

A legal rental must be inspected before a permit is issued. So how would the city be liable for a illegal rental or safety violation? I see the inspection process as a opening of a can of worms. Will the city use this tool as a enforcement for other issues that may arise


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Clarify- If the city inspects it and issues a permit and then its "legal" now the city can get sued if a renter got hurt. Of course they would need to prove the City is liable but still opening up the city.

[fatlazyless]

From the City of Laconia web site:

www.laconianh.gov/881/Short-Term-Rentals

... includes a link to the rental eligibility rules and home/building inspection procedure that was approved when the mayor cast his tie-breaking vote for a 4-3 approval vote on Tuesday, December 10 ..... just yesterday!

As they used to say about the building inspector's job in Boston, back in the 1970's ...... 'you know the salary stinks, but the pay is great!'

[Biggd]

No one likes government oversight but there are people that will take advantage and bend the rules/laws to their advantage, esp when money is involved. As you can see on this forum everyone has a different view of the situation.
If you just let everyone do what ever they want without oversight then it becomes a free for all.
Just like the Dive, many people like it as long as it's not in their back yard.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Biggd

Just like the Dive, many people like it as long as it's not in their back yard.

Not in my case. I have had several neighbors in the past short term rent and I do not have an issue with it. Only once in 8 years did I have a issue and it was taken care of immediately.

As a property owner I do not believe the city has the right to tell me how I can and can't rent my property

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by joey2665

Not in my case. I have had several neighbors in the past short term rent and I do not have an issue with it. Only once in 8 years did I have a issue and it was taken care of immediately.

As a property owner I do not believe the city has the right to tell me how I can and can't rent my property

I also have a neighbor right across the street from me that rents all summer and I've had no issues in the 5 years I've been there. But I know of others in other areas that have lots of problems. So I see the need for some kind of oversight even though it doesn't affect me personally.
I actually know of some families that rent a large high end house on Winni every summer, $10,000 a week, and they think because they pay so much money they can do what ever they please. They have to find a new place every year because they are asked not to return.
They are wonderful people in their own neighborhood but they are the renters from hell.
This is one of the reasons I never rent out my place. I occasionally let friends use it free of charge but that is rare and only people I trust that I know will treat it like their own.

[tis]

I am surprised that so many don't seem to worry about the wear and tear on a house when renting to a big crowd of people.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by tis

I am surprised that so many don't seem to worry about the wear and tear on a house when renting to a big crowd of people.

Short term rent is much higher than renting monthly and full rent and deposit paid in advance. In my experience there is not a lot of wear and tear as the tenants are usually more affluent to pay that kind of money upfront.


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[tis]

Originally Posted by joey2665

Short term rent is much higher than renting monthly and full rent and deposit paid in advance. In my experience there is not a lot of wear and tear as the tenants are usually more affluent to pay that kind of money upfront.


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But still, having thirty people in a house has to be hard on it. Everything is used more. Often more than one family will rent to be able to afford it. To your point though, if they are affluent, they wouldn't need as many people to pay the rent. I am just saying a large amount of people is tough.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by tis

But still, having thirty people in a house has to be hard on it. Everything is used more. Often more than one family will rent to be able to afford it. To your point though, if they are affluent, they wouldn't need as many people to pay the rent. I am just saying a large amount of people is tough.

Never seen a home with 30 people. It’s always limited to the amount of people it sleeps in the lease and lease also usually states no parties.


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[tis]

Originally Posted by joey2665

Never seen a home with 30 people. It’s always limited to the amount of people it sleeps in the lease and lease also usually states no parties.


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No, that was an exaggeration but I do remember reading on here once somebody was looking for a rental for 30 people or about that and somebody actually offered their home. But I know positively that you need to watch people if you rent because often they try to have more people than they said they would and also a lot of them party because they are on vacation.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by joey2665

Never seen a home with 30 people. It’s always limited to the amount of people it sleeps in the lease and lease also usually states no parties.


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Ha,ha, no parties. That's a joke. My daughter use to say, "I never had any parties when you went away, only small gatherings". Years later we found out the meaning of "small gatherings".

[tis]

Originally Posted by Biggd

Ha,ha, no parties. That's a joke. My daughter use to say, "I never had any parties when you went away, only small gatherings". Years later we found out the meaning of "small gatherings".

Yes. People on vacation usually party.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Biggd

Ha,ha, no parties. That's a joke. My daughter use to say, "I never had any parties when you went away, only small gatherings". Years later we found out the meaning of "small gatherings".

No it’s not and your not renting to teenagers or frat members if you are smart. Your are supposed to vet your tenant as any smart landlord would.


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[Mr. V]

Allowing rentals enables people without much income or money who inherit a nice home to keep it in the family.

They get to use the property quite a bit, subject to the need to rent it out for a couple of months in order to get the money to pay the cost of upkeep and taxes.

So the city fathers have a choice: either prohibit home rentals and thereby ensure that only the wealthy will live there, or allow rentals and thereby allow the property to remain in the hands of your "average joes and janes."

[tis]

Originally Posted by joey2665

No it’s not and your not renting to teenagers or frat members if you are smart. Your are supposed to vet your tenant as any smart landlord would.


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Joey, you think people don't go to the lake to party? Check out Braun Bay sometime. Not meaning to argue but in my opinion it just is a fact.

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by tis

I am surprised that so many don't seem to worry about the wear and tear on a house when renting to a big crowd of people.

Many of those big waterfront houses are bought by groups of investors just to rent out as a business investment. All they care about is ROI.

[fatlazyless]

Here's SB458, www.legiscan.com/NH/text/SB458/id/2082379 introduced on January 8, 2020 and sponsored by Sen French-R, Sen Bradley-R, and Sen D'Allesandro-D.

With both the NH House, 233-D vs 164-R, and the NH Senate, 14-D vs 10-R, having Democratic majorities, this bill will without a doubt require an act of God to get it passed as is, and/or any end product as revamped by the Democratic controlled senate and house will get vetoed by Gov Sununu-R ..... so, for starters, and you got to start someplace, this is a very, very good faith start and everyone involved should be highly commended. ...


Note: This Legiscan link has links to the State of New Hampshire website with more information and you can read how the State website shows this new bill.

Opinion: Is it me or is the print font too danged small that it makes you squint and makes it difficult to read and comprehend this proposed bill, as printed? Like, why-O-why-O-why does the State of NH website originate this proposed bill with a print font so small that it is most difficult to read and comprehend?

[map]

I personally do not like the idea of a lot of short term renters in my neighborhood. That said, I also am a liberty minded individual and people should be able to do with their homes- that THEY OWN-as they wish as long as they do not hurt other people.

I am thinking right now my husband and I are renting someone's home for a few months until we can move to our new house in the Weirs. We are better neighbors than some of the full time ones here.

[fatlazyless]

Originally Posted by Top-Water

It a 3 part conspiracy, promoted by the politicians and kept secret from us called a little to much booze in your system before gong to bed at night, old age, and not knowing how to adjust the text size on your browser when your eyes are tired.

Ok ...... so, with your 'puter skills, can you do us all a favor and show an easier to read copy of SB-458 ........ thanks.

[Susie Cougar]

Hey Joey, I just read in today’s paper that Marco Island is paying residents $250 to let owls 🦉 burrow in their yards. Here’s a way for you to make some extra cash too!

[garysanfran]

An area for vacations...Oldest resort town in America is here.

Envision no short term rentals.... Tourists can only stay at hotels/motels. That'll turn some current visitors off because they like renting a home, not a room...So a great percentage of them will be gone.

Bayside Rentals, Preferred Properties, C-21...All will go out of business and all their employees will be fired...How many of them will no longer get a pizza from Envio's?

King of Clean works with many landlord home renters...Bye, bye to the King?

How may short termers ride The Mount Washington? Or are the passengers just locals? Doris E? Sophie C?

Maybe the hotel stayers will keep Monkey Truck line in business? Is there enough (will there be enough) of them?

The group of 11 adults and 11 kids can just go to The Cape. Who needs 'em?...That group must eat a lot...Hannafords, other grocers, restaurants may feel it is better for those 22 folks to shop here and not in Hyannis?

As current owners sell their properties because they can no longer do with their property what they need to do to pay exorbitant taxes, values will decline and taxes will climb further to offset loss of revenue.

On the positive side...Having a lot...LOTS...less people, to me, has value!

I am a firm believer in trying to understand "unintended consequences" before implementing major changes that on the surface may be appealing.

[garysanfran]

SO the owner wants to rent his property, short term, to help pay Laconia's stupidly high tax rate. But City leaders are succumbing to the noise complainer(s?)...

So here's one solution...Take $250 more away from the owner...Problems all solved...From The Sun...

[URL="Another change to the ordinance would set the cost of a short-term rental permit at $250. A permit would be valid for two years."]

I propose...Take it a step further ...if $250 accomplishes SOMETHING(?), Why not get twice as much SOMETHING and charge $500? Has to be twice as good as the measly $250...But wait, think of what could be done to silence unwanted noise, or something, if Laconia got $1,000?

[fatlazyless]

So, if 'SB-458: Relative to municipal regulation of vacation or short-term rentals', becomes a state law, then it will override any town/city ordinance.

Believe that's the way it works, a state law will generally supersede a local town/city ordinance.

[tis]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

SO the owner wants to rent his property, short term, to help pay Laconia's stupidly high tax rate. But City leaders are succumbing to the noise complainer(s?)...

So here's one solution...Take $250 more away from the owner...Problems all solved...From The Sun...

[URL="Another change to the ordinance would set the cost of a short-term rental permit at $250. A permit would be valid for two years."]

I propose...Take it a step further ...if $250 accomplishes SOMETHING(?), Why not get twice as much SOMETHING and charge $500? Has to be twice as good as the measly $250...But wait, think of what could be done to silence unwanted noise, or something, if Laconia got $1,000?

I had the same thought. How in the heck does charging a fee quiet people down?

[garysanfran]

Originally Posted by tis

I had the same thought. How in the heck does charging a fee quiet people down?

Enough to a politician, a lot of things can remain quiet!

[greeleyhill]

Has anyone been through the application process with the town yet? Just wondering how challenging/easy it might be.

[Red apple]

I have not saw one yet but could be interesting due to building codes. As a lot of people rent out odd spaces like attics, basements, extra area's of the home and I'm sure these area's do not meet the newest building codes for egress and other codes. By right if the City is going to permit them they need to cover themselves from law suits and need to be sure. Case and point I went for a small room change and had to make the windows larger for a second egress. The old room was fine but because the City was in the house for the permit in that room I had to make the changes.

[Wifi-1]

Originally Posted by Top-Water

I wish you would stop thinking so small. Go for more silence.

Nice one, LOL

[TheVoiceOfReason]

Originally Posted by joey2665

Short term vacationers do not want to rent downtown or anywhere that is not a decent neighborhood and too far from the lake.

This simply isn't true. I have firsthand knowledge of many short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods not located near the lake in Laconia.

I live in a residential neighborhood in a bordering town and have a short-term rental exposure across the street from my house. Just like anything, there are good renters and bad renters, just like there are good neighbors and bad neighbors, good boaters and bad boaters, etc. If I had my druthers I'd prefer to not have a short-term rental located across the street from my home, but there are simply too many other things to worry about than to run down to Town Hall and put up a stink about it.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by TheVoiceOfReason

This simply isn't true. I have firsthand knowledge of many short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods not located near the lake in Laconia.

I live in a residential neighborhood in a bordering town and have a short-term rental exposure across the street from my house. Just like anything, there are good renters and bad renters, just like there are good neighbors and bad neighbors, good boaters and bad boaters, etc. If I had my druthers I'd prefer to not have a short-term rental located across the street from my home, but there are simply too many other things to worry about than to run down to Town Hall and put up a stink about it.

As stated previously I disagree as someone witch investors experience in Laconia, Florida, Pennsylvania North Carolina and Illinois.

Show me actually data that proved valued decline and I will reconsider. Investors again will pay at or above market if they receive there desired ROI


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[Red apple]

Originally Posted by TheVoiceOfReason

This simply isn't true. I have firsthand knowledge of many short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods not located near the lake in Laconia.

I live in a residential neighborhood in a bordering town and have a short-term rental exposure across the street from my house. Just like anything, there are good renters and bad renters, just like there are good neighbors and bad neighbors, good boaters and bad boaters, etc. If I had my druthers I'd prefer to not have a short-term rental located across the street from my home, but there are simply too many other things to worry about than to run down to Town Hall and put up a stink about it.

Fully Agree. We had weekly renters we had next to us were always respectable as they were paying big money for the week. The short term 1-3 night people are just rude and do not respect anything. Now that is just what we and some others dealt with and everyone I am sure has different situations.