Surrounded by str's on the Bolivar Peninsula. Totally taken the joy out of having our beach retirement home that we worked and saved for years to be able to have. 95% of the renters suck. The homeowners, mgmt companies, etc. cant vette or control very well who they rent to. STR owners suck.
Living next to a STR
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Last: 2 yr ago by Jerzzy
STRs do indeed suck. STRs at the end of our street messed up my kid's car which was parked in front of our house. We are 4 houses down - luckily I caught it on Nest. I'm pretty sure someone shot a porno there in late November while I was putting up Christmas lights. There was a fraternity reunion there a few months ago and the alley entrance/exit runs next to this particular house; these idiots parked in it like it was a driveway. We live in a nice, boring neighborhood, and for the past year, 100% of any nonsense that occurred on our street originated from this house. I feel the most sorry for those directly next door; they've had to deal
with a lot of crap that thankfully we are just far enough from (most times)
I'm typically pro-property owner, but I've come around that there are too many losers that are gonna spoil it for everyone. There is too much spill-over. I have no issue with cities banning them. Owners can do their best to deal with problem tenants, but sorry, if you turn your residential location into a STR, you are a **** neighbor.
with a lot of crap that thankfully we are just far enough from (most times)
I'm typically pro-property owner, but I've come around that there are too many losers that are gonna spoil it for everyone. There is too much spill-over. I have no issue with cities banning them. Owners can do their best to deal with problem tenants, but sorry, if you turn your residential location into a STR, you are a **** neighbor.
Sorry you feel that way. Some of us work hard to make sure our STR has as close to zero effect on the neighborhood as possible. I've never had a single complaint from neighbors for any reason out of more than 500 bookings. In fact, we're a favorite for their out-of-town guests.
Bad hosts ruin it for those of us who actually care.
Bad hosts ruin it for those of us who actually care.
A porno? That's a strong accusation. Do you have any EVIDENCE of this? I'd like to see it.
bam02 said:
A porno? That's a strong accusation. Do you have any EVIDENCE of this? I'd like to see it.
They were definitely shooting a film. One scene was on the porch where a man and a scantily clad woman were the only ones in the scene; a second scene has her sitting at an open 2nd story window and him down in the yard below. Couldn't quite hear the dialogue, but body language certainly seemed flirty. Then they disappear and shoot inside in the house for several hours. Maybe it was an innocent film, but a lot about it screamed cheesy porno
I also live in a city (Plano) where a full on hoar house was being run out of an STR.
Our hands are tied on Bolivar. Unincorporated, no hoa, etc. Best we can do is fence/chain our properties, call the sheriff, and make the renters stay as unpleasant as allowable. I take issue with owners and mgmt companies who claim to vette and control their renters. In a situation like ours, thats impossible. For example, ad says sleeps 8 and those 8 have 8 friends, and those 8 have 8 more and the owner is from Colorado or mgmt company is from somewhere else. When people get to the beach they lose any sense they msy have had and owner or mgmt company dont care as long as theit money rolls in every month.
I do appreciate owners like yourself. Unfortunately I think you are a small minority and reality is also that a lot of renters just suck and the ST rental process is quite limited in its ability to check them out. A lot more effort goes into a long-term renter vs a ST just needs a credit card for a one time transaction
Agreed. The idea that you can seriously "vet" STR customers as an absentee landlord is pretty much impossible.
Price is the most logical way to do so, but for vacation homes, they can always double up the body count. Owner can charge extra if caught, but that doesn't help the neighbors.
Price is the most logical way to do so, but for vacation homes, they can always double up the body count. Owner can charge extra if caught, but that doesn't help the neighbors.
That's been the challenge we've seen. It's a nice large home and not cheap to rent, but we are also near a really nice, large softball complex where big travel tournaments get held - adult tournaments and youth tournaments. So we see a lot of groups renting this thing. Numbers drive increased odds of issues and hassle for neighbors.
I'm sure there is a profile that tends to have fewer issues, and maybe Ryan's fits that. But I actually think bigger and more expensive leads to more not fewer issues.
I'm sure there is a profile that tends to have fewer issues, and maybe Ryan's fits that. But I actually think bigger and more expensive leads to more not fewer issues.
Someone should do a Venn diagram with posters *****ing about hoa's in that thread and posters *****ing about being able to limit str's in this thread….
DannyDuberstein said:bam02 said:
A porno? That's a strong accusation. Do you have any EVIDENCE of this? I'd like to see it.
They were definitely shooting a film. One scene was on the porch where a man and a scantily clad woman were the only ones in the scene; a second scene has her sitting at an open 2nd story window and him down in the yard below. Couldn't quite hear the dialogue, but body language certainly seemed flirty. Then they disappear and shoot inside in the house for several hours. Maybe it was an innocent film, but a lot about it screamed cheesy porno
I also live in a city (Plano) where a full on hoar house was being run out of an STR.
Oh yeah I've seen that one a few times. That's a nice place!
In Galveston, west end STR owners pay for a security service that patrols the neighborhoods and responds to complaints. It's staffed by off-duty police officers.
I've seen them bust up loud parties and clear cars from street parking. That service has been around for years, long before AirBnB and VRBO become a thing. It works because it's a true vacation town and there are a large concentration of STRs.
I've had STR owners ask me a series of questions to understand why we are coming to town and what we want to do there, just to learn a little bit about us before approving the rental. I appreciate that because it shows they are serious about their business. I always assume they are checking up on us via social media, too.
Our management company would always talk to potential renters, too. People will offer up a bunch of info that way. That's how they would weed out prom and graduation parties, for example.
Good owners will ask questions and communicate frequently. It's not perfect, but it's the only way to vet a potential renter.
I've seen them bust up loud parties and clear cars from street parking. That service has been around for years, long before AirBnB and VRBO become a thing. It works because it's a true vacation town and there are a large concentration of STRs.
I've had STR owners ask me a series of questions to understand why we are coming to town and what we want to do there, just to learn a little bit about us before approving the rental. I appreciate that because it shows they are serious about their business. I always assume they are checking up on us via social media, too.
Our management company would always talk to potential renters, too. People will offer up a bunch of info that way. That's how they would weed out prom and graduation parties, for example.
Good owners will ask questions and communicate frequently. It's not perfect, but it's the only way to vet a potential renter.
We have limitations on who we will rent to that are automatically built into the booking system and we have certain minimum requirements for our approval process, such as a verified government ID and recommendations from other hosts. If a person has been tagged by a host as someone they would not rent to again, they cannot book our place without our personal review. To be fair, our STR is a garage apartment, not a house. Our price point also weeds out some of the riff raff.DannyDuberstein said:
I do appreciate owners like yourself. Unfortunately I think you are a small minority and reality is also that a lot of renters just suck and the ST rental process is quite limited in its ability to check them out. A lot more effort goes into a long-term renter vs a ST just needs a credit card for a one time transaction
And oh, the irony ... My husband left on a work trip this morning to Austin, and as I was dropping him off he got a call from
I won't hi-jack, except to say I am not a fan of STRs. Yes, I own and operate an AirBNB STR in Albuquerque, NM. And, yes, my current guest will be my last, and I'm leaving the platform. From the host's perspective, AirBNB is horrific. My concern with AirBNB is like your husband's experience...horrible, disrespectful, deceitful, and destructive guests. And, AirBNB does nothing about it.
I feel like there is a good story behind this post and your most recent booking.
Oh, it's glorious. As the situation is unfolding, and I don't want to leave anyone hanging, give me a few days and I'll see how it goes.
Aggiemike96 said:
Oh, it's glorious. As the situation is unfolding, and I don't want to leave anyone hanging, give me a few days and I'll see how it goes.
The end is nearing. Just delisted my three properties from the AirBNB platform.
Send the business my way. I need the money to buy more trombones.
Aggiemike96 said:
Oh, it's glorious. As the situation is unfolding, and I don't want to leave anyone hanging, give me a few days and I'll see how it goes.
Coming up on a week our friend!
What was in the kitchen?
This operation happened in my neighborhood, and the targeted house is/was an AirBNB. From what I gathered, that house was the location where they were housing the sex trafficking victims.
Less Evil Hank Scorpio
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The range of outcomes for STRs is really wild to me. I invest in a company that has 14 properties, and they watch the property like a hawk. Cameras outside, in common areas, noise meters, etc. They generate a significant portion of their income from enforcing their own strict rules (charging fees for excess guests for instance) and manage to maintain very high review scores, occupancy rates, and profit margin.
Just like most things, some people run businesses well and others run them poorly. Not reason to outlaw the entire industry. Punish the bad actors and move on.
Just like most things, some people run businesses well and others run them poorly. Not reason to outlaw the entire industry. Punish the bad actors and move on.
Fine them for excess guests...big deal. Noise meter..big deal. And, we the home owners who live around them suffer the consequences. str owners are on the same level as slumlords.
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First of all, money is a great motivator. It's the reason STRs exist in the first place, and one of the reasons people choose them over hotels. Fines actually are pretty effective, as well as the ability to have bad guests deplatformed for breaking house rules.woodyhayes said:
Fine them for excess guests...big deal. Noise meter..big deal. And, we the home owners who live around them suffer the consequences. str owners are on the same level as slumlords.
When you make comparisons like that, it inhibits having a productive conversation. STRs provide a service for which there is great demand. Sorry the properties around you attract bad guests, but that's not my problem in the least.
I assume everyone in this thread with such and anti-STR attitude would never stay in one, right?
Sure wouldnt. Its why Hiltons, Marriotts, etc. exist.
Putting the owners on the same level as slumlord is a little strong. As with most things, there are some people who are responsible adults and others who are total a-holes. Unfortunately society today has more and more a-holes and less responsible adults, and that ruins things for everyone else.
I would definitely be interested in seeing the Venn diagram mentioned above of people *****ing about STRs vs. being against HOAs, which can limit/restrict STRs. The neighborhood I live in now has a 30-day minimum lease length, and that effectively keeps STRs out of a location that would likely be somewhat profitable if they were allowed.
I would definitely be interested in seeing the Venn diagram mentioned above of people *****ing about STRs vs. being against HOAs, which can limit/restrict STRs. The neighborhood I live in now has a 30-day minimum lease length, and that effectively keeps STRs out of a location that would likely be somewhat profitable if they were allowed.
I'm pro-HOA (reasonable ones - very basic standards that keep neighbors from being negatively impacted by lack of upkeep) and anti-STR. I think each city should decide on its own, but in general, if you want to run something like a hotel, I think it should be zoned that way. There are inherent differences and issues with how many people act in a place they are only staying for a few days and have little accountability to those around them. Decent sized houses like the one on our street often seem to be rented by multiple families/large groups.
It was a little strong. I apologize. But, in an unincorporated, no hoa 's except a couple neighborhoods coastal community, str's have ruined those of us who worked for years to afford a place at the beach. According to our state rep, there's not a lot we can do about it and about 1800 of us have asked and tried.
So a bit of a STR update on our end, it's been interesting....
The trailer is still there with a rotating array of household goods that end up in the driveway. We have cycled through dressers, two full mattress sets and now a broken wine fridge (all stay outside for quite a few days before disappearing again).
Of the 4 original dogs, apparently one got lost and there are lost dog posters around now. 2 of the other dogs were taken away. Then 2 more dogs appeared, not secured, ended up in our garage, but were removed as well. Now only one remains, cute yet unobediant puppy.
Last weekend the cops were called for a domestic disturbance at the property. Hubs and I were out of town and grandma was at home with the baby. We get texts from her and our other neighbor alerting us. Grandma felt it was better to stay in with the baby than get nosy with the cops. But neighbor was able to get some details for us.
They also decided that our outdoor water faucet and hose are better than theirs and have used it. Also left it on....hubs has now removed the hose so they can no longer access it.
All this is being reported to vrbo. Don't think it will do any good though :-(
Funny thing I noticed this morning, they put electrical tape over the motion sensors connected to the outdoor lights for the driveway. Guess they didn't like the motion sensor lights.
Stay tuned for more adventures of living next to a STR....
The trailer is still there with a rotating array of household goods that end up in the driveway. We have cycled through dressers, two full mattress sets and now a broken wine fridge (all stay outside for quite a few days before disappearing again).
Of the 4 original dogs, apparently one got lost and there are lost dog posters around now. 2 of the other dogs were taken away. Then 2 more dogs appeared, not secured, ended up in our garage, but were removed as well. Now only one remains, cute yet unobediant puppy.
Last weekend the cops were called for a domestic disturbance at the property. Hubs and I were out of town and grandma was at home with the baby. We get texts from her and our other neighbor alerting us. Grandma felt it was better to stay in with the baby than get nosy with the cops. But neighbor was able to get some details for us.
They also decided that our outdoor water faucet and hose are better than theirs and have used it. Also left it on....hubs has now removed the hose so they can no longer access it.
All this is being reported to vrbo. Don't think it will do any good though :-(
Funny thing I noticed this morning, they put electrical tape over the motion sensors connected to the outdoor lights for the driveway. Guess they didn't like the motion sensor lights.
Stay tuned for more adventures of living next to a STR....
Our rules explicitly state guests are not to tamper or attempt to tamper with security devices, including surveillance cameras, motion lights, etc. It's an instant cancellation if they do that.
So it's been an interesting few weeks with our STR neighbors.....
The cover on the security camera came down after 72 hours, I'm guessing the host didn't like that.
Our neighbors have a new love of power washing things after 10pm. They are least use their own hose now, but we did notice today that it was hooked up to our faucet and the hubs had wondered why he heard our water running (reported to vrbo)
They also are now back up to 3 dogs. Of course loose and made visits to our porch (reported). they tried to put up a piece of plywood against the gate to keep them in the backyard.
They have also parked in front of our neighbors driveway therefore blocking it (reported), he has a fully enclosed driveway with a fence. Since there are usually 4+ cars around the property I'm guessing it's a shuffle game for them about where to park.
With their new hobby of power washing they were power washing the rugs outside. I'm guessing the animals haven't been too kind to the interior, and then they added some pressure washed art to the front fence with their initials and hearts...so romantic.
Originally we were told they would be there for 2 months, which would means they would be out mid may. But our neighbor noticed on vrbo that the property is blocked off until end of 2025....either they are anticipating repairs or our new neighbors are permanent. But why keep the vrbo listing if they sign a long term lease?
Also one of the tenants wears a what looks like a court appointed monitored ankle bracelet, im very curious to find out his story.....stay tuned
The cover on the security camera came down after 72 hours, I'm guessing the host didn't like that.
Our neighbors have a new love of power washing things after 10pm. They are least use their own hose now, but we did notice today that it was hooked up to our faucet and the hubs had wondered why he heard our water running (reported to vrbo)
They also are now back up to 3 dogs. Of course loose and made visits to our porch (reported). they tried to put up a piece of plywood against the gate to keep them in the backyard.
They have also parked in front of our neighbors driveway therefore blocking it (reported), he has a fully enclosed driveway with a fence. Since there are usually 4+ cars around the property I'm guessing it's a shuffle game for them about where to park.
With their new hobby of power washing they were power washing the rugs outside. I'm guessing the animals haven't been too kind to the interior, and then they added some pressure washed art to the front fence with their initials and hearts...so romantic.
Originally we were told they would be there for 2 months, which would means they would be out mid may. But our neighbor noticed on vrbo that the property is blocked off until end of 2025....either they are anticipating repairs or our new neighbors are permanent. But why keep the vrbo listing if they sign a long term lease?
Also one of the tenants wears a what looks like a court appointed monitored ankle bracelet, im very curious to find out his story.....stay tuned
Where is this in Houston?
There will be nothing left of that house by 2025 if they have it rented till then. Something tells me that won't end up happening anyways. So sorry y'all are going through this.
Oof. Appreciate you keeping us posted here on TexAgs. That's no fun at all. Sorry bout it!
Every homeowner's nightmare. So sorry OP. I've had few no goods in my street although at least a few house away and it was terrible.
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