A chance to affect short term rental issues

Related to special interests tryout shut down Rentals by owner? Specifically AirBnB?

Rentals by Owner are fine, as long as they are not in Deed Restricted Communities that do not allow short term vacation rentals.

They are also fine, as long as the owner isn't a crook...

SWFL man accused of scamming seasonal visitors

Rentals by Owner are fine, as long as they are not in Deed Restricted Communities that do not allow short term vacation rentals.

All "rentals by owner" are not fine. Many owners don't live in the area and just see the homes are ATMs, rent to whoever, neighbors to the rental be damned. It is these that will, hopefully, bring about more restrictions.

Local control is USUALLY better, but with the trajectory that Walton County is taking, a resident who lives near a weekly rental funhouse will most likely be ignored. Defuniak will not interfere with anything that keeps the tax dollars flowing North.

Related to special interests tryout shut down Rentals by owner? Specifically AirBnB?

Can you clarify or expound on your post?

All "rentals by owner" are not fine. Many owners don't live in the area and just see the homes are ATMs, rent to whoever, neighbors to the rental be damned. It is these that will, hopefully, bring about more restrictions.

Local control is USUALLY better, but with the trajectory that Walton County is taking, a resident who lives near a weekly rental funhouse will most likely be ignored. Defuniak will not interfere with anything that keeps the tax dollars flowing North.

What tax dollars are specifically speaking of, those collected by the TDC that are paid by the renyers of said property or the ad valorem taxes paid by said owner? I don't own property south of 98, I also know that south of the intracostal, pays the lions share of taxes in Walton County, but what exactly are the services that are received for those taxes? What services are you willing to do without?

A lot of folks would be willing to do without the services of attorneys defending the county against its indefensible conduct, an unfortunately regular occurrence. We'd do without paying for some county employees taking county vehicles home in violation of policy and repeated warnings. I'm going to impose a strict 10 million word limit on my listing of things we could do without. In fact, I'll stop now. The phrasing of the questions needs some work, Bob.

A lot of folks would be willing to do without the services of attorneys defending the county against its indefensible conduct, an unfortunately regular occurrence. We'd do without paying for some county employees taking county vehicles home in violation of policy and repeated warnings. I'm going to impose a strict 10 million word limit on my listing of things we could do without. In fact, I'll stop now. The phrasing of the questions needs some work, Bob.

Good with the phrasing, sorry about yhe spelling. Thumbs sometimes hit multiple letters.

Grand jury calls Florida agency inept and ill-suited to probe condo complaints

No one Enforces Anything and Renters Rule the Roost.

Grand jury calls Florida agency inept and ill-suited to probe condo complaints

No one Enforces Anything and Renters Rule the Roost.

Just like beach vendors "RULE", Look for pics of truck tracks on Inlet beach last week..

I think at this point its clear our elected officials are willing to consider anything for the Tourist $$$.

If tourists want topless clubs, they'd probably find a way to have them and try to look good doing it.

We will be Destin and PCB in two years or less.

According to this poll, 93% want to continue to allow rentals...
http://floridapolitics.com/archives...-travelers-allowed-rent-accommodations-hotels

According to this poll, 93% want to continue to allow rentals...
http://floridapolitics.com/archives...-travelers-allowed-rent-accommodations-hotels

Actually, The 93% you quote is whether people should be able to rent something other than a hotel, a house or a condo. I agree, there should be choice.

The question from the poll more pertinent would be:


"QUESTION: Do you believe state and local governments should or should not have the authority to ban homeowners from renting out their private property for less than 30 days?"

SHOULD SHOULD NOT NOT SURE
STATE 26% 61% 13%

REGION SHOULD SHOULD NOT NOT SURE
North Florida 30% 58% 12%

Unless you live next door or very close to one of these rentals, then of course it won't be an issue to you. But, no doubt, more and more of these mega house rentals are coming on line and they will affect the neighbors. But back on point, local governments should have the control on short term rentals, not Tallahassee.

Here is the link to the poll mentioned: http://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000015a-a6e2-d379-a55e-b6ee80c20000

The hotel association says that companies like Airbnb are being disingenuous. Airbnb seems to disagree.
http://floridapolitics.com/archives/233632-study-contends-airbnb-running-illegal-hotels

Surely all those mega homes will pay TDC Tax right?

It must be easy for a citizen to track who's paying and who isn't, correct?

Surely all those mega homes will pay TDC Tax right?

It must be easy for a citizen to track who's paying and who isn't, correct?

No, it is not easy to track. Not for citizens and not for the TDC either.

No, it is not easy to track. Not for citizens and not for the TDC either.

whatwhatwhat?

How is that possible?

whatwhatwhat?

How is that possible?

Bed tax collectors have info for their respective clients, but no one else's. My understanding, unless something has changed in the last couple of years, is that the TDC has no "rights" where it comes to having the client list of each of the rental management companies.

Bed tax collectors have info for their respective clients, but no one else's. My understanding, unless something has changed in the last couple of years, is that the TDC has no "rights" where it comes to having the client list of each of the rental management companies.

So it's possible (probable) that there are vacation rentals not paying their share and there is no way to track them?

So it's possible (probable) that there are vacation rentals not paying their share and there is no way to track them?

That is my understanding. Rental management companies find it quite frustrating that individual owners can get away with not paying bed tax if they choose to take the risk of getting caught.

That is my understanding. Rental management companies find it quite frustrating that individual owners can get away with not paying bed tax if they choose to take the risk of getting caught.

and our BCC and TDC do nothing to try to remedy this?

and our BCC and TDC do nothing to try to remedy this?

I know that the TDC would like to know, but I'm not sure what, if anything, can be done to require a private business to disclose who pays what in bed tax. For AirBNB and VRBO, etc., it would probably mean a manual search by looking up addresses with rental signs, finding owners, and then checking the clerk's office to see if they pay bed tax. That assumes that you can search the clerk's bed tax records. Sounds like a good fact finding mission. Maybe I'll look into it when I run out of things I have to get done!

They are exempt from Public Records requests per state statute.

They are exempt from Public Records requests per state statute.

Well this just gets more and more interesting...

South Walton citizens should demand that every rental house post a sign out front with its Name, emergency contact number and name of company responsible for receiving calls about property issues.

Then the neighbors can report them to the County / State if they know its a short term rental. Serious fines for not paying bed tax can be levied by the State.

But, this is Walton County where not much is enforced and I'm sure they don't care if hundreds of thousands of bed tax flies under the radar.

The real travesty is the protection from public records these rental properties enjoy...

I had a former neighbor who conducted all of their rental transactions in Texas. Advertised and collected there. Seems they may have found a loophole.