Rental Property Investor · CA · Member since 2021 · 16 posts · 14 votes
Anyone have advice on what to do about an STR neighbor who hates us? We just purchased our first property and the people across the street keep complaining to Airbnb about everything we do. My rental is in a residential neighborhood and is pretty pricey so it's catered to a clientele who can afford ($1k+/night). These are the complaints so far:
1. They didn’t like that we referred to the land behind our property as a “wooded area” because it’s their private property and we are “falsely advertising” and “encouraging guests to trespass.” Ok, my bad, we were told by the agent it wasn’t owned by anyone. But we’ve now changed the listing and made sure to tell guests it’s private property and not to go on it.
2. A huge tree fell on our property and we didn’t get it removed fast enough.
3. When we did get the tree removed, the chainsaws were too loud.
4. The most recent guests were too loud, their dog was “on the loose and chasing people down” (they didn’t have a dog - I confirmed with my cleaner that there wasn’t a single dog hair found on the property). And the guests were “throwing fireworks at each other’s bare chests until 1:30am” (I don’t even know what that means. Also, they had a baby so I highly doubt this is true).
5. They don’t think it’s appropriate that I manage the property from afar.
Do I just ignore these complaints? Should I be worried about them shutting me down or contacting the city to revoke my STR license, even though I've done nothing wrong?
Any advice from the sage BP community would be much appreciated!
Laveen, AZ · Member since 2016 · 584 posts · 528 votes
4y
Quote from @Account Closed:
Anyone have advice on what to do about an STR neighbor who hates us? We just purchased our first property and the people across the street keep complaining to Airbnb about everything we do. My rental is in a residential neighborhood and is pretty pricey so it's catered to a clientele who can afford ($1k+/night). These are the complaints so far:
1. They didn’t like that we referred to the land behind our property as a “wooded area” because it’s their private property and we are “falsely advertising” and “encouraging guests to trespass.” Ok, my bad, we were told by the agent it wasn’t owned by anyone. But we’ve now changed the listing and made sure to tell guests it’s private property and not to go on it.
2. A huge tree fell on our property and we didn’t get it removed fast enough.
3. When we did get the tree removed, the chainsaws were too loud.
4. The most recent guests were too loud, their dog was “on the loose and chasing people down” (they didn’t have a dog - I confirmed with my cleaner that there wasn’t a single dog hair found on the property). And the guests were “throwing fireworks at each other’s bare chests until 1:30am” (I don’t even know what that means. Also, they had a baby so I highly doubt this is true).
5. They don’t think it’s appropriate that I manage the property from afar.
Do I just ignore these complaints? Should I be worried about them shutting me down or contacting the city to revoke my STR license, even though I've done nothing wrong?
Any advice from the sage BP community would be much appreciated!
1. They didn’t like that we referred to the land behind our property as a “wooded area” because it’s their private property and we are “falsely advertising” and “encouraging guests to trespass.”
- invite a bunch of friends over and collectively stand in your backyard staring at their private wooded area for a long time. Do this at night. Dress like nuns and priests holding candles. Let them know you'll stop when they leave you alone
2. A huge tree fell on our property and we didn’t get it removed fast enough.
-stand tree back up, wrap duct tape around the trunk. Explain that you did it so they wouldn't be inconvenienced with a tree laying down within their field of view.
3. When we did get the tree removed, the chainsaws were too loud.
-Next time cut it down Paul Bunion style with hand saws singing folk music
4. The most recent guests were too loud, their dog was “on the loose and chasing people down”
-advertise dogs chasing people isn't allowed, only people chasing dogs
4a. And the guests were “throwing fireworks at each other’s bare chests until 1:30am”
-new rule is firecrackers may only be thrown at butts like a Jackass movie
5. They don’t think it’s appropriate that I manage the property from afar.
-buy a 1975 Winnebago with the long W on the side. Park on the street and tell your neighbor it's your mobile management vehicle to keep you close
Lastly mail your neighbor some pamphlets about seeking help for drug addiction. Those complaints are bananas I see no way someone takes your license over that.
Unfortunately this is not likely to end. 1031 to a vacation rental market?
Darn it! I tried! I actually took your course and made about 25+ offers across 3 different markets with STS agents with no luck. But now I see why I should’ve stuck it out. Any Destin houses y’all want to unload for $650k? Kidding, kidding.
Property Manager · Poconos, PA · Member since 2020 · 443 posts · 264 votes
4y
Hey @Account Closed
Just like @Luke Carl had mentioned - this is most likely not going to end.
Otherwise, I wouldn't be too worried about losing your STR license as you truly aren't doing anything wrong and your neighbors just seem to want to complain about the smallest things.
Keep crushing it and feel free to reach out if you want to talk more!
Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
4y
You may just have to deal with this. A lot of times these issues will just go away if left alone long enough. Sorry for your troubles, but some people are just Aholes.....
Rental Property Investor · CA · Member since 2021 · 16 posts · 14 votes
4y
Thanks @Joshua Messinger and @Bruce Woodruff! It’s all booked for the summer season so we’ll see how it goes. I’m also sending my mother-in-law over with cookies to try to see if we can catch more bees with honey. But like you said, some people…
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
4y
Quote from @Account Closed:
Do I just ignore these complaints? Should I be worried about them shutting me down or contacting the city to revoke my STR license, even though I've done nothing wrong?
Why are you so worried? If you're not violating the law, they can complain all they want but they can't shut you down. It appears they don't like having a short-term rental in the community. Sorry, but them's the breaks. You bought it, short-term is allowed, so they should be the ones to sell and move somewhere else. Mayhbe you can send them a nice brochure to Del Boca Vista.
Laveen, AZ · Member since 2016 · 584 posts · 528 votes
4y
Quote from @Account Closed:
Anyone have advice on what to do about an STR neighbor who hates us? We just purchased our first property and the people across the street keep complaining to Airbnb about everything we do. My rental is in a residential neighborhood and is pretty pricey so it's catered to a clientele who can afford ($1k+/night). These are the complaints so far:
1. They didn’t like that we referred to the land behind our property as a “wooded area” because it’s their private property and we are “falsely advertising” and “encouraging guests to trespass.” Ok, my bad, we were told by the agent it wasn’t owned by anyone. But we’ve now changed the listing and made sure to tell guests it’s private property and not to go on it.
2. A huge tree fell on our property and we didn’t get it removed fast enough.
3. When we did get the tree removed, the chainsaws were too loud.
4. The most recent guests were too loud, their dog was “on the loose and chasing people down” (they didn’t have a dog - I confirmed with my cleaner that there wasn’t a single dog hair found on the property). And the guests were “throwing fireworks at each other’s bare chests until 1:30am” (I don’t even know what that means. Also, they had a baby so I highly doubt this is true).
5. They don’t think it’s appropriate that I manage the property from afar.
Do I just ignore these complaints? Should I be worried about them shutting me down or contacting the city to revoke my STR license, even though I've done nothing wrong?
Any advice from the sage BP community would be much appreciated!
1. They didn’t like that we referred to the land behind our property as a “wooded area” because it’s their private property and we are “falsely advertising” and “encouraging guests to trespass.”
- invite a bunch of friends over and collectively stand in your backyard staring at their private wooded area for a long time. Do this at night. Dress like nuns and priests holding candles. Let them know you'll stop when they leave you alone
2. A huge tree fell on our property and we didn’t get it removed fast enough.
-stand tree back up, wrap duct tape around the trunk. Explain that you did it so they wouldn't be inconvenienced with a tree laying down within their field of view.
3. When we did get the tree removed, the chainsaws were too loud.
-Next time cut it down Paul Bunion style with hand saws singing folk music
4. The most recent guests were too loud, their dog was “on the loose and chasing people down”
-advertise dogs chasing people isn't allowed, only people chasing dogs
4a. And the guests were “throwing fireworks at each other’s bare chests until 1:30am”
-new rule is firecrackers may only be thrown at butts like a Jackass movie
5. They don’t think it’s appropriate that I manage the property from afar.
-buy a 1975 Winnebago with the long W on the side. Park on the street and tell your neighbor it's your mobile management vehicle to keep you close
Lastly mail your neighbor some pamphlets about seeking help for drug addiction. Those complaints are bananas I see no way someone takes your license over that.
Real Estate Broker · Staunton, VA · Member since 2019 · 194 posts · 216 votes
4y
Sorry to hear about your troubles, I've had the same happen to me in the past and it's beyond frustrating. Lesson to anyone reading - avoid residential neighborhoods for STR! As @Luke Carl said, invest in STR-friendly vacation markets. Residential neighbors will make your life a living hell.
That all being said, you can a) continue doing what you're doing and deal with / ignore the crappy neighbor, b) do whatever you can to win your neighbor over by meeting with him face-to-face, make him feel heard and important (chances of success are slim), or c) cut your losses, sell, and find another location. Unfortuantely there aren't many in-between options.
Real Estate Broker · Tampa, FL · Member since 2020 · 103 posts · 74 votes
4y
You can try to kill them with kindness. After reading their "valid" complaints I know I would have a difficult time being overly nice. Set them up on a "client giant" gifting system where they get gifts quarterly. Good luck!
Why has no one suggested going in person to talk to them? They're human beings. Have you met them face to face? People are much kinder in person once they see you as a person. I've have plenty of upset neighbors calm down once I go in person, talk to them, listen to their complaints, and then offer solutions. I then execute on those solutions, and then ask them if I've done everything I can to help them. If I have problems, I send a gift basket with an apology, and a promise to implement a procedure to fix it in the future.
We need to stop being ******* landlords and owners. Be a human being. Treat others kindly. You wouldn't want obnoxious renters next door to you as well.
Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
4y
@Account Closed has some (funny but good) points. Don't just sit there and take it, have a plan to fight back. Nicely at first, but also have plan if this escalates.
Although @Scott K. has a good point, go see them nicely before this goes any further. But then have a plan.
Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
4y
They paid good money for a nice house in a nice neighborhood and probably just don't want this AirBnB thing bringing endlessly different people into the neighborhood.
I'll bet they end up continuing their efforts to be a PITA until you give up and sell.
Not everyone wants to live across the street from motel when they've paid a big pile of money for nicer house in a nicer neighborhood.
(AND) Throwing fireworks at each others bare chests (???) hopefully the baby's Mother was not participating in these shenanigans (???).
Rental Property Investor · CA · Member since 2021 · 16 posts · 14 votes
4y
I can’t go talk to them in person because I manage the property from across the country. But I did send a card in the mail introducing myself.
I understand they paid a lot of money for their home. This is a lake community where probably 50% are full-time residents and the other 50% are second homes that are either used the by owner or rented for the full summer, or for 1-2 months. I thought they’d be used to renters. Even if we used the house ourselves, we’d be outside having fun so they’d probably complain about that.
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
4y
@Account Closed, it sounds like some of their accusations were unfounded. Maybe get a wireless camera of some kind outside in the front. If there are shenanigans, you will have a record to call the guests out. If not, you have proof that the people are lying about it.
Frankly, you should go there personally. Are you willing to allow this to go on without trying to get a resolution? If you have a 650k investment, a couple of days and a plane ticket is a good investment. They will eventually start harassing the guests regardless of their behavior. That will get you a slew of 3 star reviews and kill the listing. Nothing causes trouble like poor interactions by neighbors to guests.
Our home is on the lake in a primarily residential neighborhood. There is only one other STR on the road. When we bought it and were getting it ready, I walked the road and spoke with each and every other home owner I could find. I let them know who we were, gave them my direct contact number and told them all about our plan. I am there fairly frequently as we are only about 7 hours away. The only text I got about guests was they were driving too fast on the road. That was a couple of weeks ago. In 5 years.
Rental Property Investor · Concord, GA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
4y
The fact that they whined about both the tree laying in the yard and then whined about the tree removal process makes me think they're just unhappy meddlers. I'd just carry on.
Why has no one suggested going in person to talk to them? They're human beings. Have you met them face to face? People are much kinder in person once they see you as a person. I've have plenty of upset neighbors calm down once I go in person, talk to them, listen to their complaints, and then offer solutions. I then execute on those solutions, and then ask them if I've done everything I can to help them. If I have problems, I send a gift basket with an apology, and a promise to implement a procedure to fix it in the future.
We need to stop being ******* landlords and owners. Be a human being. Treat others kindly. You wouldn't want obnoxious renters next door to you as well.
I always try kindness and fixing any issues with any neighbors I or my tenants have had, but you've never experienced someone that can't be pleased or made happy just because they basically hate life?
The fact that they whined about both the tree laying in the yard and then whined about the tree removal process makes me think they're just unhappy meddlers. I'd just carry on.
Yep! This was my thought exactly. Most likely nothing would satisfy them unless you closed shop and if the local ordinances are behind me, they can complain all they want.
Rental Property Investor · CA · Member since 2021 · 16 posts · 14 votes
4y
@Nicholas Misch and @John Teachout, I think you’re both right that these are miserable people. The complaints Airbnb forwarded were unbelievably lengthy, negative, accusatory, etc. Not something a reasonable person would write.
I’ll implement some of this great advice and see if I can win them over, or at the very least, gather my own evidence to rebut their accusations.
Investor · Broadview Hts, OH · Member since 2016 · 310 posts · 280 votes
4y
Quote from @Account Closed:
@Nicholas Misch and @John Teachout, I think you’re both right that these are miserable people. The complaints Airbnb forwarded were unbelievably lengthy, negative, accusatory, etc. Not something a reasonable person would write.
I’ll implement some of this great advice and see if I can win them over, or at the very least, gather my own evidence to rebut their accusations.
Really I could care less about complaints from people who aren't staying as long as I and my guests are following my, and the local rules.
