Rental Property Investor · New York, NY · Member since 2018 · 64 posts · 7 votes
Seriously thinking about getting a second home in Fort Lauderdale— enough that I cold-contact an agent and have her showing me about 20 properties last weekend. I'm from NYC and would live in this second home part-time, and will be renting it out for short term vacationers. I did my homework and the amount of paperwork to be compliant with the city is daunting. I have a couple of questions and hope you can help:
1) Any zoning laws that would prevent me to rent this house as short term vacation rental? if so, what neighborhood should I avoid?
2) Looking at the inspection checklist I'm confused about the fence and alarm system around access points to the pool. all properties I looked at have pool and I don't remember seeing one with fence or alarm system.
Any other advice you guy have would greatly appreciate.
Property Manager · South Florida · Member since 2018 · 5 posts · 3 votes
8y
Hello @Adam Harper, Fort Lauderdale doesn't prohibit short term rental, but you need to go through them in order to do it properly. Basically you need to pay a fee, allow an inspection (which some times doesn't even take place) plus follow some very basic rules.
My company is called Florida Host (thefloridahost.com) and we can help you with all this and more, we make Airbnb hassle free and we focus in your income and your property visibility and reviews. You'll be in good hands.
Contact us through the website, I'll make sure you have the best experience possible.
Specialist · FL · Member since 2017 · 139 posts · 88 votes
8y
@Adam Harper No particular area to avoid within Broward County. Fort Lauderdale has the lowest permit fees and an entire department setup so it's a seamless process. All other cities are just implementing an STR policy so it's confusing because they are learning the industry and trying to setup laws around it. One year they might say wireless smoke detectors will pass inspection then the following year they need to be hardwired. (happened to me already)
For the pool, you either need pool alarms for all doors/windows facing the pool plus self-latching gate OR a pool safety fence (net around the pool).
I get contracted at least 2 times a week to assist owners/property managers in this aspect because it's a moving target.
Rental Property Investor · New York, NY · Member since 2018 · 64 posts · 7 votes
8y
@Richard Ibeh do you happen to know about the property taxes? It seems random to me. Some houses I looked at came with a staggering tax of $17,000/yr and some houses in the same price range only half the tax. Thanks.
Property Manager · South Florida · Member since 2018 · 5 posts · 3 votes
8y
Hello @Adam Harper, Fort Lauderdale doesn't prohibit short term rental, but you need to go through them in order to do it properly. Basically you need to pay a fee, allow an inspection (which some times doesn't even take place) plus follow some very basic rules.
My company is called Florida Host (thefloridahost.com) and we can help you with all this and more, we make Airbnb hassle free and we focus in your income and your property visibility and reviews. You'll be in good hands.
Contact us through the website, I'll make sure you have the best experience possible.
@Adam Harper No particular area to avoid within Broward County. Fort Lauderdale has the lowest permit fees and an entire department setup so it's a seamless process. All other cities are just implementing an STR policy so it's confusing because they are learning the industry and trying to setup laws around it. One year they might say wireless smoke detectors will pass inspection then the following year they need to be hardwired. (happened to me already)
For the pool, you either need pool alarms for all doors/windows facing the pool plus self-latching gate OR a pool safety fence (net around the pool).
I get contracted at least 2 times a week to assist owners/property managers in this aspect because it's a moving target.
Hi have the rules changed at all for short term rentals in Fort Lauderdale? I'm thinking of partnering up with current short term/ corporate agencies to make it simpler for me as the landlord. I've got rentals in FLL and Hollywood
Hello @Adam Harper, Fort Lauderdale doesn't prohibit short term rental, but you need to go through them in order to do it properly. Basically you need to pay a fee, allow an inspection (which some times doesn't even take place) plus follow some very basic rules.
My company is called Florida Host (thefloridahost.com) and we can help you with all this and more, we make Airbnb hassle free and we focus in your income and your property visibility and reviews. You'll be in good hands.
Contact us through the website, I'll make sure you have the best experience possible.
Pedro
It seems to me that Fort Lauderdale is one of the more STR rental friendly cities in the SE Florida area. Miami is more difficult because of the hotel lobby. Where FT Lauderdale actually makes it more simple and has a department just for short term rental licensing.