Florida lawmakers seek more regulation for vacation rental owners
Florida lawmakers want to impose more controls on the short-term vacation rentals market in the state, concerned over the adverse effects vacation rentals have on some residential communities.
Officials in Flager County are looking to repeal a 2011 law which stops local governments from making any changes to current legislation regarding vacation rentals.
Local officials are particularly concerned about large multiple bedroomed homes in residential neighborhoods which they say, are operating as "mini hotels."
Under current rules, a vacation rental is classed as a privately owned property that is rented out more than three times a year for less than 30 days on each occasion.
The move by Flager County is supported by the Florida Association of Counties but the Florida Vacation Rental Managers Association opposes the action, saying any change would be "risking jobs and threatening the legal property rights of owners."
Supporters of the 2011 law say vacation rental homeowners have played a major role in Florida’s record-breaking visitor numbers, which reached almost 95 million in 2013.
The Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants reported that of over 37,000 lodging businesses in the state, more than 10,000 are classified as licensed vacation rental homes.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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