Florida Vacation Rental 2 week Suspension

[Emilio138]

Governor DeSantis has issued an order stating So the vacation rentals will be suspended for two weeks. If you’re in one now, then finish and go home,” DeSantis said. “But for any new rentals, there’s going to be a suspension on that. And we appreciate the assistance of people.” There isn't much information on what the repercussions might be for hosts who accept new reservations. Some news sites say that hosts caught accepting new guests during this two-week suspension could have misdemeanors charged and can lose their vacation rental license.  Does anyone else have more information? What is everyone planning to do during this suspension?

[Gerhard4]

It is a bit unfair, the vacation home rentals are a safer and better alternative, than hotels, yet the hotels are not subject for this order!!
all our homes have hotel licenses, but still are clasified as short term rental, we have a number of guests who have extended their stay with a month , simply because their home town is under siege, and at least here in Florida they have their pool and sun! so they are not locked up completely 

but as far as more information: new travelers to Florida need to proof they have a place for 14 nights, where they can self isolate (this depends where they are from, but I believe the  number of states have been increased) however, if the starting date is after March 28, they are in violation so they will not be able to start the rental. since it is a executive order, you as host should be aware of it, and you can get fined! there are however also florida residents who want to stay some where else ... there is no control mechanism for them. so technically you would be able to rent out to them...

[Dwayne-And-Allison0]

I'm pretty sure this is a violation of our constitutional rights and I plan on suing the governor and any one else who limits by right to earn a living.  

It's discrimination that you shut down "vacation rentals" but not hotels.

It's dangerous that you force people into a grouping of people in a hotel as opposed to a singular quarantine unit like an air bnb.

It's short sighted because these same air bnb's can be used for visiting local families who need to quarantine from sick family members.

Why not require Air BNB hosts to require 14 day stays?

[Lee353]

Apparently local rentals are NOT allowed either.  We found out the hard way.  I was of the same mind that the ban only applied to out-of-state guests, but it applies to even locals who just want a "staycation."

[Sandra707]

Hi Floridians, 

After canceling all my reservations till April 30th I was hoping vacation rentals would be allowed to open in Phase I, but the governor decided to extend his executive order (see 20-112) and does not allow any vacation rentals to open in Phase 1 till.... indefinitely. Hotels, motels and inns on the other hand are allowed to stay open. Social distancing in a hotel? Elevator anyone? This does not make any sense and here is a very good article about it. https://vrmintel.com/fl-governor-desantis-receives-letters-of-demand-in-response-to-decision-to-proh...

Is AirBnB taking any action in Florida? Does anyone know?

This is really frustrating.

San 

[Garry43]

Despite months of emails bombarding Florida hosts about upcoming Legislation to " protect " us - including Victory laps that we had " won" - what evidence is there that we have any power?! Hotels are always going to be the powerful monopoly lobby who receives the real protection - hence their pandemic-spreading bail out now

[Fred13]

Today, USAG Barr warned all governors that they should keep in mind not to over-step their authority;  he is looking at three cases in particular - DeSantis singling out vacation rentals in Florida, Newsom with CA beaches (specifically Orange County) and Whitmer's broad lock down in Michigan. These capricious decisions will be changed after some face-saving political theater.

[Clara116]

@Fred13 @Sandra707 thanks for your post ---- we are pretty much flipping out here in Florida with what Gov. DeSantis has done.....and our community is outraged that he (Gov) can open beaches, hotels/motels/resorts.....(after meeting the president and making a step by step plan)  and ban and keep all vacation short term rentals closed. Personally I'm not sure any of them should be open just yet - but,  this obvious ban on short term rentals is so very obvious and I do hope this will get corrected quickly. Thanks for your direction on action happening - keep me posted if you will, there's so much happening and I can only ingest so much of the political junk each day - it can make my world shift too quickly.

best to you and stay safe and stay well,

peace, Clara

Just found this in some news about WHY  is Gov. De Santis motivated to do this??

Lingering animosity with rental listing site Airbnb over the company’s removal of listings on the West Bank and after DeSantis ordered state officials to refrain from using Airbnb when conducting state business (an order that was later rescinded);

I had forgotten about he getting so upset and issuing this order! 

Seems politicians never forget stuff - just like the Internet! 

[Fred13]

That is correct Clara, he got into a spat over the removal of the West Bank listings. DeSantis is not a dumb fellow. The constitutionality of the issue is how Barr will make him see the 'light', because what he is doing is interfering in commerce and thus influencing the outcome, besides the burden of proof is on him to prove how STR is less safe than other types of lodging. The optics are not good, comes across as 'corrupted', it will change. 

[Sandra707]

@Fred13  do you have a link to an article about Barr singling our DeSantis. I plan on calling the governors office on Monday. 

[Fred13]

I am in the island now, but will be back tomorrow; just IPhone here. The three cases is what prompted him to take a warning shot across the bow about governors overstepping their powers yesterday in general, knowing these cases will go to court. I will stay research if he has gotten more specific, which is not his style.

[Garry43]

I had completely forgotten about that Retribution theatre against anybody who criticises Netanyahu,(despite an entire Kenesseth empowered with precisely the democratic right to display opposition). This could well be ongoing score-settling.

[Garry43]

What makes FL unique among Barr's "chores" is that the " Governor" has been convinced his Boss is One Individual Hotel Owner,(whose Emoluments bookings have financed Florida richly. While loyal to the KAG campaign,he overlooks the current reality that he actually has the power over his regular visitor - whose Life depends on the Florida retreat being eternally available for him+ new bookings.

 The Quid Pro Quo appears to be a more successful priority than " small business " (lauded only when mutually beneficial

[Sandra707]

@Fred13 @Clara116 Here is another good article from a lawyer arguing why STR should be open:  https://www.thecentersquare.com/florida/op-ed-short-term-rentals-should-be-the-first-thing-florida-r...

[Fred13]

Good find @Sandra707 The kill shot is: "Furthermore, the government shouldn’t be able to pick winners and losers among lawful businesses." 

The vein I would take is:

1- Home sharing has an inherent build-in limit of exposure since only two entities come into contact with each other and to what extend is predetermined vs. in hotels  where a visiting individual has no choice but to be  compelled to come in contact with a multitude of total strangers.

2. Without the further option of home sharing many tourists accustomed and preferring to stay in private homes may now be quite hesitant to come to Florida in the first place since they are now compelled to stay in dwellings that exposes them to the general public at large. Specially during these times of general apprehension.

3. Economically speaking, the average home sharing visitors spends $5000us dollars per week (but only $1000 for lodging, $4000 in the local economy; at 'X' amount of visitors it translate into 'Y' for the local economy. Why forgo that economic benefit? Money is always the ultimate kill shot and usually carries the order of the day.