Property owners should be allowed to do short-term rentals

Debate over short-term rentals

A recent letter writer criticized state Sen. Kelly Hancock for authoring a bill that would prohibit municipalities from enacting laws to prohibit short-term rentals. (Oct. 3, 17A)

Hancock believes in property owners’ rights to do what they want with their properties, including renting them short- or long-term. Of course, all tenants should be qualified, regardless of the length of time they rent a property.

Short-term renters are generally better than long-term renters. They are kept accountable by reviews on the major sites that coordinate their stays. Because of the motivating power of user reviews, they leave rentals in better condition than long-term tenants.

The increased rents that short-term leasing brings in enable landlords to better maintain and update their properties.

Why should my investment in my property be treated differently from a homeowner who makes an investment and expects a return on that investment?

Rental properties are bought by owners who don’t live there, whether for short- or long-term rentals. Does this mean we should ban all rentals based on time tenants are in the property? No.

An Oct. 3 letter writer said state Sen. Kelly Hancock’s SB451 threatens homeowners by allowing “absentee” owners to buy houses and operate them as businesses with no investment in the community.

As a short-term landlord myself, I can assure that the truth is far from that statement. I’m deeply invested in the community, because I want my guests to experience it.

I hire local workers and buy my guests welcome gifts from local businesses. My yard is mowed once per week year round, and my home is meticulously cleaned after every guest.

I take pride in showing my guests the city and making sure they leave loving it as much as I do.

Support Hancock and SB451. I assure you that short-term rental homes are the best-looking homes on the block.

As homeowners in state Sen. Konni Burton’s district, my neighbors and I were shocked to learn that Burton supports allowing short-term rental vacation and party houses in residential neighborhoods.

She voted for SB451 in the last legislative session. This legislation took away a city’s zoning rights in favor of short-term rental investors and big government in Austin. It violated the property rights of residential homeowners who want peaceful and safe neighborhoods to raise their families.

Burton’s voting record stands in stark contrast to her claims of wanting “smart, limited government,” as her campaign website touts.

By a large margin, homeowners do not want short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods. Do you want to live next door or behind a home that’s essentially a hotel, with a new group of strangers checking in every few days and partying day and night? Apparently, Konni Burton does.

We homeowners are a no vote for Burton.

A bigger street work priority

I recently observed the repaving of the 3600 through 4000 blocks of Lafayette Street. My question is why, when our tax dollars could be better spent by repairing Clover Lane between Camp Bowie Boulevard and Interstate 30.

The 1800 through 2800 blocks of Clover Lane are a major thoroughfare. It services Stripling Middle and Junior High schools.

Clover Lane could stand a little tender loving care by hot topping or repaving to smooth out the ruts and dips.