Kissimmee county tax rules for str

[Kenneth616]

My girlfriend and I just bought a successful STR in Kissimmee, FL.  Got tax ID from Florida DOR, Hotel / STR license, and headed down to the Kissimmee county tax office to apply for business tax receipt and tourism development permit.   Everything went great until they said I needed a local contact to be an emergency contact.  I said we will be managing the property ourselves using the same folks the former owner used to clean etc.   They said you need to have on file a local contact registered with the county to be a contact for emergencies and have them sign power of attorney document.   Say what????   So I asked what about missing a tax payment qualifies as an emergency requiring a local contact? The reply: what if they can’t get into your unit?   My reply:  why would someone having trouble accessing my phone property call the tax office because they can’t get in??  Reply:  no one ever calls, it’s just a formality.   

A formality????   We don’t know anyone down here we are out of state buyers.   So what they consider a formality to a new owner is something pretty stressful that as far as I can see may result in me having to pay a mgmt company instead of managing the property ourselves.  This is awful and totally unexpected.   

I feel like I’m trapped in a nightmare at the moment.   I could use some advise on this issue.  

I feel like this is a bull ****** money grab by the county to force out of state buyers to use a local mgmt company.   

thanks in advance for any assistance on this issue.

[Lorna170 · Accepted solution]

@Kenneth616   There are many jurisdictions that require an Airbnb host to have a local contact person that is available in their absence or distance from the rental property. 

If you are using the same housekeeper or maintenance person as the previous hosts, you may want to ask them to be the emergency contact. Expect to pay a fee for them to do this for you.

Good luck!

[Kenneth616]

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated!   Local contact is there as we have cleaning and pool guys all set up but giving them power of attorney is another issue that requires more consideration.  I think that is what I’m questioning mostly about this regulation.   It complicates it a bit.  I agree with the need for local contact but not for tax purposes as there is no emergency need around the payment of a tax.  You are either paying it or you’re not, and if you don’t then they simply suspend you.  At least that’s the way i view it.  

[Helen3]

It's obviously a good thing for the local community that the area you want to operate in, makes it a condition  of getting your licence. That you have local cohosts/contacts on hand .

they can then deal with problem guests or guests who experience issues with your listing.

So I applaud the local government for bringing this criteria in @Kenneth616 

I am sorry you didn't look into the STR regulations before setting up your business but you can easily rectify it now by asking the cleaning company you use or employing a cohost.

sadly some investor hosts who live out of state /remotely don't really care about the impact their STRs have on local communities,

By the way you can't buy an Airbnb listings are non transferable . 

it's really up to you when setting up a business to ensure you understand any regulations affected it. Which in your case includes how STR regulations work in your location,

[Kenneth616]

Lots of bla bla bla in your reply isn’t there?  

[Kenneth616]

Thanks for replying anyway but the question went over your head in this case.  If you read correctly you would see I have contacts.. which I agree you need.   And what makes you think I don’t already know that Airbnb software doesn’t allow a transfer of a listing?   

Your wasting your time trying to help people and

not really being helpful, your reply is rather preachy and condescending so I suggest you find something else to do to occupy your time.  

[Helen3]

I'm sorry to see  as someone new to this community that this is your response when offered feedback to your question @Kenneth616 

[Rebecca]

Hello @Kenneth616 👋

I’m sorry to hear you’ve had some difficulties whilst setting up your property, and I hope the input you’ve received from other hosts has been helpful to navigate this local rule. Everyone here is a fellow user of the platform, so all information shared is based on experience and opinion. It is always well-meaning, and we encourage healthy discussion taking all points of view in account.

Have you perhaps checked if there is aLocal Host Clubs near you? This would allow you to get in touch with other hosts in the area, and see how they have managed this regulation themselves! 😊

[Tara1109]

Thanks for this !! 

[Priyanka102]

Most STR markets require a local contact for emergencies.. You dont always need a full property manager though, some people just use a cleaner, handyman, or even a local friend as the registered contact instead of paying 20 to 30% mgmt fees. You can check Chalet Rental Regulations