Thanks to those who have already shared their stories about AirBnB, VRBO and other short term renters in our neighborhood. If you have not yet responded, this is a reminder that we would like to hear from you. Please share your experience (good or bad) with us by Tuesday, April 12, at gardendistrictno@bellsouth.net
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An important message to Garden District Residents:
As many of you know, the GDA has long fought many battles over zoning violations. The most prolific violation is the one involving illegal short-term rentals. Though we have had success in putting stop to some, websites like AirBnB, Craigslist, and Home Away have made it all too easy for those wishing to skirt the law. As a result, we are seeing surging numbers of illegal weekend renters in our neighborhood. The Association has received many complaints about late night partying, noise, trash, parking congestion and the degradation of residential living. Now we want to hear from you, so we can decide how to take action against landlords operating illegal short-term rentals.
Under the City’s current zoning rules, rentals of less than 30 days are prohibited in the Garden District, and since the 1990s there has been a moratorium on new bed and breakfast operators in the Garden District. And now out-of-town investors are coming to the Garden District looking to buy homes to operate as illegal bed and breakfasts/ short- term rental sites through AirBnB and similar websites. If you have suffered an inconvenience or nuisance from the operation of a short-term rental near your Garden District home, please share your story with us via email message to gardendistrictno@bellsouth.net
Please include:
• Your address;
• Address of short-term rental
• If known, whether the owner was present or available to address your concerns during the rental
• Approximate date(s) of rental(s); and
• A description of your experience.
Please respond by Tuesday, April 12. We will hold your response as strictly confidential, and we will not share it with the owner or other third party without your permission. But if you are willing to testify about your experience, please let us know. We are looking for candidates for legal action to stop landlords from breaking the law. We appreciate your support and prompt assistance in this matter.