Short term rentals: be aware of Airbnb pushback.
Among members of lake associations, condo associations and local zoning boards, setting limits and operating rules for short-term rentals has long been part of the conversation—sometimes contentiously so. But online booking services like the longtime player Vacation Rental by Owner (VRBO) and the surging Airbnb have poured kerosene on a smoldering fire, explains cottage law attorney Dan Penning. By making the marketing and booking of short-term rentals so easy, the services have lured thousands upon thousands of home and cottage owners into the business.
In many cases, rental income becomes a necessary financial pillar of cottage ownership, paying upkeep and high non-homestead taxes—especially those levied on lakefront property. In other cases, short-term rental income is what makes a cottage purchase financially possible in the first place.
Lakefront properties, in particular, are proving challenging because they attract people on vacation, many looking to live it up for a week or two and not worry a lot about the consequences. “Typically, cottages are close together, and if you have a neighbor renting all the time, you have a new neighbor every week, and some of them will invite their relatives, and friends of their relatives and suddenly you have 30 people staying next door,” Penning says. Throw in multiple powerboats, music into the night and lots of beer, and you have a ruined neighborhood, or at least seriously damaged neighborly relations. “I’ve even heard of people subletting rooms in the cottages they are renting for the week,” Penning says.
In many cases, the non-renting neighbors are pushing back, advocating for tighter rules within their associations and zoning boards. This means people who need short-term rental fees to afford a cottage need to proceed with eyes wide open to the possibility that the practice could be curtailed, or they need to be ready to advocate for their own interest if they see local zoning boards taking up the issue.
Meanwhile, courts have taken up the issue, too, says Penning. “Courts in Michigan have often taken the side of those trying to stop the rentals, saying that if zoning or association rules say there is no commercial use allowed, the rental is commercial use and should be stopped,” he says. But some courts are siding with the rental owner, saying the property is simply being used as a residence, so it qualifies as residential.
“There is currently a case before the Michigan Supreme Court that could shed more light on how this will proceed,” Penning says. His best guess: “I suspect the court will come down in favor of limiting the short-term rentals.” Stay tuned.
Comment below and let us know what you think should happen.
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s jackson………. agree you or I or any residents should not be put out by
people disregarding the noise and nuisance regulations. I am not sure
what they are in Leelanau but you can check in the zoning laws. I also
do not think there is a distinction between renters and homeowners in
terms of people allowed in a bedroom. It is the same regardless.
Lastly there is no way we want our local government to get involved with
leases. That is strictly private business. Regards, Curt
Quietude is a precious part of the “Up North” experience and, along with the beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife, is why we chose Leelanau for our active retirement. If people want the commotion and noise of an ‘all sports lake’ there are plenty of those available in the southeastern part of our state. ‘Disturbance of the peace’ has historically been illegal … in addition to the adverse impact of speeding powerboats and waverunners on the ecology of the lakes in this area. There should be well-worded and enforceable laws with serious financial penalties to prevent renters from exceeding the normal occupancy of cottages (typically 2 persons per bedroom) and to disallow renters sub-leasing to others. Such limitations — possibly by requiring ‘standardized’ lease forms (which include clear explanations of the penalties for violations) — would also serve to protect cottage owners from damage to their property which, over time, would diminish the value of their neighbors’ properties.