Hosting Issues in Gulfport, Florida

[Michael6618]

Recently, the Gabber, a local newspaper, printed articles on community pushback on airbnb rentals. Short-term rentals are illegal in Gulfport and a small group of angry citizens are pushing elected officials to ramp up code enforcement. They say short-term rentals are the cause of housing shortages, the degradation of established neighborhoods and a lack of affordable annual rentals. While it is true, short-term rentals have an impact, it is not clear to what extent they are a cause when other influences are considered. Influences such as a high percentage of investor purchased homes, condos and apartments, lack of space to build, supply chain issues, conflicts with zoning designations, wages and retirement income not keeping up with rising costs, and an influx of many new residents moving to the state. 

I have spoken to a sitting council member and the code enforcement officer of Gulfport and believe there is an opportunity to generate a broader, more thoughtful and accurate assessment of what is causing the housing crisis. If you own and operate a short-term rental in Gulfport, FL, please get in touch and let's discuss ways to influence what could be bad news for airbnb's in Gulfport.

Michael

** Personal details hidden **

[Emilie]

Hi @Michael6618, 

That sounds like a rather challenging situation indeed, though congrats on taking some definitive steps already towards improving it! I wonder if you've tried checking in with Hosts in the Central Florida Host Club as well? There might be some Hosts from Gulfport there that could support your efforts. 

Thanks, 

Emilie

[Michael6618]

Hi Emilie, thanks for responding, I will take your advice. In the meantime, I have met with our City Councilwoman again and she has forwarded links to about a dozen articles I provided her to the Mayor and other Council members. The articles provide a bigger picture that places the effect of short-term rentals in context of more influential market forces. Thanks again and take care.

[Teri-And-Rick0]

Michael.  I just saw this forum in a search I was doing for complaints of Airbnb's in Gulfport.  I am researching this issue. My husband and I would like to help you with your efforts to convince the Gulfport council and community about the benefits of Airbnb properties in Gulfport and how it can help the economy of Gulfport.  A lot of people have been doing Airbnb's here and it has brought a lot of tourism to the area.  We bought here last year and would like to Airbnb an accessory dwelling in our backyard.  We are for Airbnb to be acceptable in the wonderful little village.  Gulfport just hired another code enforcement officer and will be cracking down on all of these.  They have purchased software to crack down on this and impose fines.  I want to bring all of the folks who have or would like to have Airbnbs in Gulfport together to fight this.  It has brought so much revenue to the area and it is improving the area. 

Teri **[Phone number hidden due to safety reasons - Community Center Guidelines]

[Sally1046]

I would love to do airbnb in my Gulfport home, let me know if I can help

[Ciara191]

I’ve been an Airbnb host in Gulfport for the past seven or eight years. I have excellent reviews and have been a super host since the my first year with them. 
I have owned my home here for 30 years. I live on my property and have rented my 2 of my 3  units as short-terms for most all those years .

On Saturday, I received a cease and desist order from the City of Gulfport based on a complaint by a neighbor who does not  live on my street.
After pleading my case to them,  code enforcement has informed me that I must comply by 9 May or I will be subject to a $500 per day fine. 
This is a nightmare, as i am retired and the three rentals are my only source of income.  I will not be able to afford to keep my home if i am forced to rent the spaces full time instead d/w/m.  

Regards,

Ciara 

[Ciara191]

hi michael.
I’ve been an Airbnb host in Gulfport for the past seven or eight years. I have excellent reviews and have been a super host since the my first year with them. 
I have owned my home here for 30 years. I live on my property and have rented my 2 of my 3  units as short-terms for most all those years .

On Saturday, I received a cease and desist order from the City of Gulfport based on a complaint by a neighbor who does not  live on my street.
After pleading my case to them,  code enforcement has informed me that I must comply by 9 May or I will be subject to a $500 per day fine. 
This is a nightmare, as i am retired and the three rentals are my only source of income.  I will not be able to afford to keep my home if i am forced to rent the spaces full time instead d/w/m.  

Regards,

Ciara 

[Michael6618]

Hi Ciara,

So sorry to hear that the city is attempting to shut you down. I'm part of a group of short-term rental owners in Gulfport and we absolutely welcome you to join us. As a group we know quite a bit about our codes and the way in which the city's leaders have said they will enforce them. Yours is the second communication from a Gulfport short-term rental owner I've received recently about receiving a code enforcement letter. City leaders have said publicly that they will only enforce these codes if they receive a complaint. You have a right to know who complained.

We are planning on meeting early this coming week with the other person who received a letter to discuss and plan a response. Are you available to meet?

I'm traveling over the next couple of days, can we plan to talk this weekend sometime? **. If you would like to plan a time, let me know what works on Sat or Sun and we can talk then. A lot of background and effort to get the city to back off on shutting down short-term rentals to share, so look forward to meeting you.

Best, 

Michael

**[Phone number hidden due to safety reasons - Community Center Guidelines]

[Michael6618]

Hi @Ciara191 , I received a letter of violation, too. We are meeting Monday at 11:00 am in Gulfport, I can send you the address as soon as I get it. Can you meet?

[Ciara191]

I’m so sorry to hear that. Very stressful,! yes, please Send the address. This feels like Nazi Germany with neighbors being able to tell on neighbors! Especially that this woman doesn’t even even live on my street!

[Michael6618]

We're meeting at Zeynep's house ** tomorrow, Monday the 6th, at 11:00.  Please bring your violation notice with you so we can compare. I think they are pretty much a form letter. Look forward to meeting you and discussing next steps.

Thanks,

Michael

**[Address removed due to safety reasons - Community Center Guidelines]

[Paula]

Hello @Michael6618,

I wanted to let you know that I had to remove the address from your comment as personal information is not allowed to be shared in line with the Community Center Guidelines.

Since both you and Clara have Host profiles, you can communicate through DM. Simply click on her name, and below her profile picture, you will find the option to send her a message with a button similar to the one I am sharing here: 

 

I hope this helps, and thank you for your understanding.

[Ciara191]

I tried sending a dm. Hoping to get the address before tomorrow …

[Michael6618]

Ah, ok, thanks, I didn't see a dm. where did you send it to?

[Chris23783]

Hi, all! I recently closed on an owner-occupied property with an ADU in Gulfport and am considering Short-Term Rentals as additional income. I have found very little information on the 'legality' of what is allowed and where. I know of multiple rentals nearby but I obviously do not want to open up that can of worms and potentially harm my neighbors income, as I have had 0 issues with guests. 

Does anyone have any resources for me to gain more information?