Don’t punish the many for the actions of the few
Suppressing the rights of homeowners to offer their properties up as vacation rentals, because of a few bad actors seems unduly harsh.
As I understand it, there are approximately 65 such properties in Seal Beach, with five considered to be problematic.
Homeowners should consider expanding their Security Deposits, to include provisions for nuisances. Rental Property owners could give their phone numbers to adjacent homeowners, to be notified if renters get out of line.
Renters should be dinged for behavior not conducive to the peace and tranquility of the surrounding neighbors.
Multiple infractions, reported to authorities could be dealt with by removing that specific property owners “use permit.” The majority of renters want to enjoy the same things, that we as homeowners enjoy about Seal Beach; the Climate, the Beach, Shopping, Dining, etc. Do not punish the majority, for the actions of a few.
Earick Ward
Seal Beach
No disrespect intended
It was not my intention to show disrespect to Betty. My comments were a bit “tongue in cheek” attempting to encourage the city to step up and protect Seal Beach’s homeowners and their investments, especially in this horrible economy where the value of our homes have declined so much!
It is a simple truth, vacation renters are not invested in the community and that presents certain problems to those that are!
Additionally, month-to-month renters (or long time renters) are not invested in the community in the same way that owners are, and this too sometimes results in additional problems that “can” have a negative effect on property values.
I would like to see the city get involved and limit the number of rentals allowed within a certain area.
Example 1: We are virtually surrounded by month-to-month rental units!
They are all nice people (mostly) but you can almost guess which ones are renters by the condition of the front lawns, landscaping, and/or the lack thereof.
This has a direct impact on property values.
Generally, instead of two cars parked on the street, there are three and four (or more) cars creating a real parking problem.
This is due to how many people are living in the units, which were, originally, a three bedroom (1) bath cookie-cutter house built around the ’40s.
We, by the way, love our little beachouse!
Among other problems are the pirated garage rental units! I recently had the chance to look into one of my neighbor’s garages and was shocked at the fire risk that I saw.
There will be a fire, it is just a matter of time!
There “might” be a liability on the part of the city due to their knowledge of these units. Just saying.
Side note: It also doesn’t help that the apartment building behind us charges their tenants for a second or third space.
The tenants simply park their many cars on the streets taking spaces away from people living within the neighborhoods.
Example 2: There are approximately (32) homes on each block, corner to corner, approximaely16 on each side.
Possibly the city could limit rental units to 25 percent of the total on each block. Just a thought.
I liked broker Jim Klisanin’s idea of fining renters for police visits and revoking the permit after the fourth police visit. (Although he is much more patient than I am:)
We, the Seal Beach Community, could come to a resolution to these problems.
A few people might make a little less money but the welfare of this special coastal “burg” will be greatly enhanced.
Property values, quality of living, safety and, did I mention “property values”, will be directly effected by the decisions that come out of our Council’s discussions.
Dennis and Nancy Tripp
Seal Beach
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