By Paul Goldfinger, Editor@Blogfinger Please continue commenting about short term rentals under this post for now Thank you, the Management
In April, 2018, an article appeared in the Coaster stating that Neptune Township was considering “following an ordinance recently adopted by Asbury Park to control Airbnb rentals.” Business Administrator Vito Gadaleta was interviewed for the article which says that “Airbnb rentals in historic Ocean Grove is a problem that is only getting bigger.”
But the Township has not proposed a new ordinance; it has been discussing the subject of all short-term rentals, but now it is more concerned about identifying problems and enforcing existing laws.
The current attention directed at Airbnb rentals in the Grove stimulated anxiety by some people who have been renting in the Grove for years by a variety of conventional methods such as through realtors.
Committeewoman Carole Rizzo says that she has been hearing complaints from citizens about a variety of issues with short-term rentals including noise, garbage, parking, and red tape—- such as frequent inspections, code enforcement, and mercantile licenses. She also heard from realtors who are having trouble with regulations that were proving to be onerous.
And then there is the question of ultra short-term rentals, like 1-3 nights. Would that be considered a separate concern or is it just the shortest of the short?
Rizzo said that she and the Committee are interested in identifying all the issues regarding short-term rentals and then trying to create “a set of rules that would be fair to all.” She has had discussions with Code Enforcement and with Mr. Gadaletta, the Township Business Manager.
The Township does not view this situation as being only about Airbnb and similar web sites. Instead they want to explore the whole universe of short-term home rentals in the Grove. The process Rizzo has in mind will be slow going. So it will be some time before she is ready to return to the Committee with recommendations. Her priority is to protect our neighborhoods and businesses, and she wants to hear from all concerned.
As for worried Ocean Grovers who have been renting their homes in a variety of ways, and not necessarily via the Internet, Ms. Rizzo said that they should not be anticipating that anything in the way of new enforcement rules would be implemented any time soon.
Last night at the Committee meeting, the subject of home rentals was not on the agenda, but during the public portion, there was a surprise. A group of five individuals identifying themselves as “The Ocean Grove Alliance for Neighborhood Prosperity” unveiled a 19 page document to the Committee regarding short-term rentals. The group presented its concerns by reading the entire essay in turn since each one had 5 minutes. The document is subtitled, “The Cultural Heritage and Economic Impact of Short-term Rentals in Ocean Grove N.J.” Each Committeeman received a printed copy as did Blogfinger.
But this statement centers on what the Alliance thinks is a plan by Neptune to implement a new ordinance (as in A. Park) which would disadvantage short-term renters of all types, not only the Airbnb variety.
However, their vehement arguments are premature since no such ordinance currently exists in Neptune, nor is one planned. The statement seems to be a defensive, pre-emptive strike of no use at this time other than to try to convince and perhaps intimidate the Committee.
In response, Ms. Rizzo told them that she, along with the Administration, would be looking into the matter, but the process could take many months. The Mayor had nothing to say. This is currently a tempest in a teapot, although the situation could widen.
We have aired out some of the opinions about Airbnb on Blogfinger, but we now see that the topic is not so narrow. Our opinion poll indicates that most Grovers view short-term rentals of the Airbnb type as being undesirable. But clearly there is more information to be gathered, and Carol Rizzo is to be admired for planning to take on this new and complicated matter by listening to all sides.
Could this become an explosive controversy involving legal tangles? Maybe, but perhaps the issues will be solved sensibly, at least in Neptune Township.
THE BEACH BOYS: “Don’t Worry Baby”
Thanks Thomas, but why make an argument now when no ordinance is currently on the table in OG? Paul@Blogfinger
I host an Airbnb in Ocean Grove and have for some time. In the summer families come to the shore to vacation. They visit the local restaurants, stores and buy Ice Cream cones. If you ban short term rentals you are doing away with vacationers that are supporting local businesses.
Also when you run an Airbnb it is important to maintain your home as your job is to give guests the best possible experience. I use use the increased income to maintain our home. Prior to Airbnb I found myself neglecting it.
Rarely do we have issues with those that stay, but if there are issues we let our neighbors know that they can contact us.
I understand concern for noisy partying vacationers and we do everything possible to screen those out. I’m sure we are not alone in doing so. I’m sure that banning short term rentals would hurt the local businesses that count on the summer surge of vacationers.
I understand the legitimate concerns of Ocean Grovers that weekly rentals, effected through listing sites such as Airbnb, could have a negative impact on our way of life in the Grove. While I haven’t observed that phenomenon, myself, I don’t doubt that the possibility of a rowdy group of vacationers exists, even in the Grove.
Let’s remember homeowners in the Grove have been renting their homes to multi-generational families for decades. The tradition of taking one’s family for a week or two at the shore, including Ocean Grove, has existed long before listing sites such as Airbnb came about. Admittedly, Airbnb has created a new market in many places where short term rentals never existed before. But in the Grove? Not so much.
After 10 1/2 summers of my family being in residence at our Ocean Grove home, we looked to our house to help us cover the unexpected costs of surgery for one of my children in 2015. Being able to rent our home to four nice families over 5 weeks was a godsend.
We have continued to offer our home to families over the succeeding summers. Our guests have almost all been multigenerational families. They love Ocean Grove. They support the downtown businesses–heck, they eat out far more than my family does when we live here. And they bring in fewer cars than my extended family does.
While we use our house as much as we can in the off season, and I hope to move in permanently once I retire, between medical bills and now college tuition, I’m not sure I could hold onto my home without offering weekly rentals to nice families in the summer.
I took a look at the Asbury Park short term rental ordinance and it is better than I expected as it requires it to be the principal residence of the owner; if you want to get some additional info it is at the following link:
http://www.cityofasburypark.com/topic/index.php?topicid=98&structureid=14
While I do not think I would want short term rentals near me if the AP ordinance is used as a guideline it would alleviate some people’s fears if it is enforced. I believe someone tried to take them to court arguing it was too restrictive but the lawsuit was dismissed.
6/28/18 Contrary to what we learned from Carol Rizzo, the Coaster today reports that the Township is actively working on a “comprehensive ordinance to be ready in 60-90 days.” Gadaleta is quoted as saying that the Township is basing its efforts on the short-term rental ordinance in Asbury Park.
So something is screwy with the information coming out of the Township. Lack of transparency is their middle name. If this is true, why didn’t the Mayor say so at the June 25 Committee meeting when the subject was brought up during the public session? This is pathetic!
We will have to wait and see if an actual ordinance works its way to the surface, coming from the bleak, foggy underground command posts of the Neptune Township Mother Ship.
Airbnbs are destroying our neighborhoods by bringing in a continuous flow of strangers throughout the summer, strangers with no interest in preserving the quality of life here.
There must be restrictions on Airbnbs such as only permitting these short-term rentals in homes where the owner actually lives and only in the commercial area of Ocean Grove which is basically the area east of Central Avenue.
Another possibility is imposing a municipal occupancy tax which can be up to 3% if the lessor provides hotel services (maid service, linen service, etc.). A municipal tax in addition to the state occupancy fee and NJ sales tax will cut down on the proliferation of Airbnbs.
This topic, ie Airbnb, is causing consternation across the country. Many see adverse effects in small-town America.
We need to learn more, but evidently small towns get hurt because available rentals for people who want to live in a town are reduced due to Airbnb businesses. That changes the demographics and reduces the availability,for example, of people who might volunteer for the fire department.
Another result is less housing for sale since homeowners might choose not to sell, but rather to have an Airbnb business. And then there is the real concern about changing the neighborhoods and the quality of life in a way that ordinary rentals, as traditionally done here, have not done.
In NY State, they have banned Airbnb except for rentals over 30 days. A law suit is pending.
So it sounds like Airbnb is a distinctly different phenomenon than Aunt Millie in OG who has a duplex and rents out one side for the summer season as she has done for many years without any adverse effects.
In some big cities, the short term rental market has been commercialized—turned into a business model for entrepreneurs. Currently 25% of Airbnb rentals fall in that category in NY. I heard of one lawyer who bought five houses in Asbury to use for Airbnb rentals.
Municipalities have their eyes on hotel taxes which currently are not charged for Airbnb rentals. And hotels are complaining about loss of business in certain cities. And, some renters may not be reporting the income earned in this way.
If any of you Grovers have real estate know-how, please share with our readers in this comments section. What do you think?
We will accept comments from all sides, but please keep your comments concise, or they will be rejected. The Blogfinger comments section is not the place for dissertations. You could submit an essay or letter to the editor which might be longer than a comment.
Thanks you,