How to best inform neighbors

Question

Hi,

I recently purchased a home with a partner to use as an STR. The neighbors have been VERY friendly, as they think I am moving in to the home, and I feel like I somehow need to break the news to them that I am not going to live in the home. I expect a lot of irritation and disappointment. Anyone with an STR or rental property have any good suggestions as to how to make neighbors friends instead of foes?

Thanks,

Shmuel

Scott K. · Answer

Don't be a dick - talk to your neighbors in person. Give them your cell phone. Kindness goes a long way.

Frankly, if your guests are causing a problem, you should know about it. It means you aren't instructing them properly, or you aren't vetting them properly. A well run STR should not be causing problems.

If your guests are being a nightmare, would you rather you not know about it, and the neighbors call the cops? Or simply call you and you speak to the guests or kick them out before they cause any real problems?

John Underwood · Answer

Talking in person is better than a phone call. A phone call is better than a text. A text is better than nothing.

Michael Baum · Answer

Hey @Shmuel Gertel, I completely disagree with @John Carbone. After we bought our home and decided to STR it. I spoke personally with every neighbor I could find on the road.

Now the home is on Lake Coeur d'Alene in rural Idaho. People respect others property and rights on how to use it. They also know that the area they live is a big vacation destination and that the $$$ coming in is good for the town. That might be different for you.

Explain to them that you plan to run it professionally. That you will vet each and ever guest to make sure they will be respectful and take care of the house.

If you have been chatting with them already, not telling them and just doing it will be a poke in the eye. Maybe have a BBQ or something like that and invite all the close residents and go over the plan.

Shmuel Gertel · Answer

Thank you to all who replied. The varied approaches and opinions are very fascinating!

Malcomb Stapel · Answer

@Shmuel Gertel  for future encounters, you probably should start out with being honest and upfront about the situation. I tell my neighbors right off that we are investors, fixing the place up nice and are going to rent it to nice people. The right neighbors will have a vested interest in keeping an eye on your property for you. What your currently doing is leading people on and will most likely lead to an awkward and unpleasant conversation for you.

Michael Baum · Answer

Many of my neighbors have my cell. I do get texts rarely about speeding on the road or people parking and blocking the road. I text the guests and it gets resolved. The neighbors appreciate the ability to get a hold of me if there is an issue.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

The city that one of my STRs is in asks you to send out a letter to any adjacent neighbor. That worked for me, they were all very happy to get a STR in the neighborhood rather than a typical LTR....the STRs in the neighborhood stand out compared to the other homes....

Dan Johnson · Answer

@John Carbone You do what works best for you. I've exchanged phone numbers with a neighbor and it was very helpful. The neighbors loved us because we transformed a run-down dump of a place with problem tenants into a beautiful, successful short term rental. The neighbors did not abuse my phone number. The neighbors were helpful to keep an eye on the property when I was out of town. The neighbors loved it when I turned it into a short term rental with high quality tenants instead of the problem long term tenants that occupied the house before I came along.

John Carbone · Answer

I think exchanging phone numbers is just opening a can of worms. You get a crazy neighbor and they may be calling you often for ridiculous reasons, that’s what a security system is for. 99 percent of guests are perfectly fine and no worse than a random neighbor whose teenagers have friends over on the weekend. I’ve had my fair share of neighbors where I wished they were just a rental house. No explanation is owed, you don’t need to feel like you are doing anything wrong. When a neighbor moves in to an area do they tell neighbors they will vet their kids friends when they come over or when they host holidays, birthdays, etc? Seems pointless to mention anything to neighbors. no need to preemptively “apologize” or seek their approval when what they think won’t change your outcome and you won’t change their opinion on STR.

Dan Johnson · Answer

I wouldn't sweat it too much. It's your property and you are the boss of it. Not your neighbors. I'd probably wait until right before the first guest arrives. Tell the neighbor that that you qualify and vet your guests. Exchange phone numbers with your neighbors.

How to best inform neighbors

Most Popular Reply