Short Term Rentals in Groton

Do you have a story about short term rentals in Groton?

• Share STRs Should Obey Laws Like Every Other Hotel Bunsines (licence, pay hotel taxes, follow laws including fire sprinklers and egress) on Facebook Share STRs Should Obey Laws Like Every Other Hotel Bunsines (licence, pay hotel taxes, follow laws including fire sprinklers and egress) on Twitter Share STRs Should Obey Laws Like Every Other Hotel Bunsines (licence, pay hotel taxes, follow laws including fire sprinklers and egress) on Linkedin Email STRs Should Obey Laws Like Every Other Hotel Bunsines (licence, pay hotel taxes, follow laws including fire sprinklers and egress) link

  STRs Should Obey Laws Like Every Other Hotel Bunsines (licence, pay hotel taxes, follow laws including fire sprinklers and egress)

  by Tyrone, almost 4 years ago

  The hotel industry supports home sharing, the rights of property owners to rent out a room in their home, and we have advocated for ordinances that officially legalize such short-term rentals. But we also believe short-term rentals should abide by the same laws as hotels and every other business: registering their business, paying taxes, following laws and regulations, and removing illegal listings.

  Unfortunately, many Big Tech short-term rental platforms flout local laws, creating safety concerns, reducing affordable housing inventory, driving up rent prices, and displacing long-term residents. Communities across the country are recognizing this growing challenge and adopting common-sense regulations... Continue reading

  The hotel industry supports home sharing, the rights of property owners to rent out a room in their home, and we have advocated for ordinances that officially legalize such short-term rentals. But we also believe short-term rentals should abide by the same laws as hotels and every other business: registering their business, paying taxes, following laws and regulations, and removing illegal listings.

  Unfortunately, many Big Tech short-term rental platforms flout local laws, creating safety concerns, reducing affordable housing inventory, driving up rent prices, and displacing long-term residents. Communities across the country are recognizing this growing challenge and adopting common-sense regulations to reign in illegal hotels.

  Unfortunately, certain rental platforms, such as Airbnb and HomeAway, are exploiting a loophole in federal law to avoid compliance with local laws and ordinances. Rather than work with cities on reasonable regulations for short-term rentals, hey have sued in federal and state courts, preferring to litigate rather than negotiate a workable framework.

  States and municipalities should be free to adopt and implement reasonable planning and zoning laws that govern short-term rentals. Billion-dollar tech platforms that profit from their website content should be accountable for that content and should be required to remove rental listings when found to be illegal.

  The Protecting Local Authority and Neighborhoods Act (PLAN Act) would amend Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act to make it clear that CDA 230 does not shield Big Tech short-term rental platforms from complying with state and local laws.
• Share It’s about balance on Facebook Share It’s about balance on Twitter Share It’s about balance on Linkedin Email It’s about balance link

  It’s about balance

  by Barbara Bourgeois, almost 4 years ago
  I am both in favor of STRs as well as preserving our neighborhoods and respecting the rights of those who live here. Can all of these things exist together? I think they can.

  Here in Groton, as in many surrounding towns, we are faced with a new situation, not experienced before.
  Our residents have created some beautiful and welcoming home-based guest accommodations and our Mystic guests love them!! Visitors are enjoying our little town like never before!
  While this is beneficial to our local businesses and to our STR owners, it has taken a toll on some of our residents.

  ... Continue reading

  I am both in favor of STRs as well as preserving our neighborhoods and respecting the rights of those who live here. Can all of these things exist together? I think they can.

  Here in Groton, as in many surrounding towns, we are faced with a new situation, not experienced before.
  Our residents have created some beautiful and welcoming home-based guest accommodations and our Mystic guests love them!! Visitors are enjoying our little town like never before!
  While this is beneficial to our local businesses and to our STR owners, it has taken a toll on some of our residents.

  This is new territory. Discussions have begun and must continue. I believe we can find a solution which addresses the needs and concerns of all involved.
  Let’s lean into this conflict together and work it out. Let’s try to stand in one another’s shoes and discuss this from a place of understanding.
  I look forward to taking part in finding the balance we are all looking for

  
  
• Share Mystic is a thriving Family town on Facebook Share Mystic is a thriving Family town on Twitter Share Mystic is a thriving Family town on Linkedin Email Mystic is a thriving Family town link

  Mystic is a thriving Family town

  by Marguerite144, almost 4 years ago

  I am a resident of Mystic, and manage short term rentals. Most of my guests come to mystic with their children, grandparents, or to visit their grandchildren and family. Groups that chose strs over hotels often do so because they have young and older people that a house is better suited for. Some have lived here before, and want to come back to a place that feels like home- not a hotel. All have been courteous, friendly, and responsible. A few guests, I have kept in contact with as friends. It makes me sad that the biggest complaint I see... Continue reading

  I am a resident of Mystic, and manage short term rentals. Most of my guests come to mystic with their children, grandparents, or to visit their grandchildren and family. Groups that chose strs over hotels often do so because they have young and older people that a house is better suited for. Some have lived here before, and want to come back to a place that feels like home- not a hotel. All have been courteous, friendly, and responsible. A few guests, I have kept in contact with as friends. It makes me sad that the biggest complaint I see is people don't want " transients". That has such a diminutive connotation to it. And, in many cases just isn't true- they are people with ties to the area through family, or having lived here before.

  Times are changing, towns can grow- or die. Mystic, in the midst of a global pandemic and economic uncertainty has thrived- and you can thank the people who keep coming here. Restaurants and new businesses are busy. Properties- often built 100 years ago, are maintained by str owners- no cheap feat. Money is moving around to landscapers, and contractors, cleaning services, and maintenance crews. There is a micro economy that supports the businesses in town, as well as those that live around it. Mystic is a tourist destination- I don't think you can turn back the clock on that one.
• Share Don't Let THEM Ruin Our RESIDENTIAL Neighborhood and CASHOUT Years Later After They Destroy It on Facebook Share Don't Let THEM Ruin Our RESIDENTIAL Neighborhood and CASHOUT Years Later After They Destroy It on Twitter Share Don't Let THEM Ruin Our RESIDENTIAL Neighborhood and CASHOUT Years Later After They Destroy It on Linkedin Email Don't Let THEM Ruin Our RESIDENTIAL Neighborhood and CASHOUT Years Later After They Destroy It link

  Don't Let THEM Ruin Our RESIDENTIAL Neighborhood and CASHOUT Years Later After They Destroy It

  by Jeff year around resident Mystic Historic District, almost 4 years ago

  BIG TIME INVESTORS AND LLCs, AND WANABE HOTEL OWNERS ARE DESTROYING MYSTIC ONE STR AT A TIME.

  Twenty-three years ago this fall I bought my home in the Mystic Historic District. It was a dilapidated, gray, 4-unit apartment house the NONRESIDENT LANDLORD (NONRES) sold to me for less than he paid years earlier because it was his only offer. Since then, with my two hands, I have slowly restored most of the charm back into the 190 year old home of a Mystic Sea Captain and his family once lived. Over the past 20 plus the years I’ve seen... Continue reading

  BIG TIME INVESTORS AND LLCs, AND WANABE HOTEL OWNERS ARE DESTROYING MYSTIC ONE STR AT A TIME.

  Twenty-three years ago this fall I bought my home in the Mystic Historic District. It was a dilapidated, gray, 4-unit apartment house the NONRESIDENT LANDLORD (NONRES) sold to me for less than he paid years earlier because it was his only offer. Since then, with my two hands, I have slowly restored most of the charm back into the 190 year old home of a Mystic Sea Captain and his family once lived. Over the past 20 plus the years I’ve seen many changes in Mystic. Some good changes like burying the power lines and installing period streetlights to restore the charm of downtown Mystic, and some really, really bad changes from bad decisions by people that don't live here and only use Mystic to leverage a buck from the tourists without the forsight to see that they are destroying the thing they are bargaining/profiting from. They don't live here so they just cash out for loss and invade the next opportunity.

  In the last ten years local architects banned together and ousted our historic district commissioners only to install their interests and compromise the historical appropriateness of Mystic at the indifferent whim of their rich client. In the last 5 years the TOG ZONING ALLOWED AN ACTUAL BED AND BREAKFAST TO START OPERATION by the Noank Library IN A ZONED RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, SPICER MANSION, where recently an newspaper add talked about some rich lobbyist from Washington DC area was sueing the Spicer Mansion landlord for thousands of dollars because he had to reschedule his kid’s weddings plans for 170 some odd dinner guests. These rich NONRES investors have absolutely no consideration of our community and neighborhood. The Spicer Mansion even started operating as a restaurant serving meals to folks not overnighting there ignoring commercial business laws and regulations that the law abiding restaurants in commercial Mystic must follow. These recent bad decisions are unforgiveable and will continue if something isn't done to ban these STRs.

  These non-residents (NONRES) investors in MA, NY, NJ and LLCs from anywhere but here buy our homes and turn them into motels where hoards the rich, 30 somthings from out-of-state invade and trash our neighborhoods like freshman on spring break. My home had zero STRs adjoining my property and in the last five years 3 out of 5 adjoining properties are STRs because the town of Groton does nothing to enforce zoning laws as if the STRs have them in their pocket or because some of the town employees actually own STRs. More than once I have called the Groton police, during the CT COVID-19 sequestering period, to report an adjacent STR where the NONRES property owner allowed transients from New York to stay, stroll our neighborhoods and downtown with complete disregard for the safety of the older neighbors that live here year around. More than once I’ve called Groton police on the NONRES allowing their transients to host drunken parties with a dozen of their Boston or New York or NJ friends until 2 am. Recently my neighbor down the street passed away and within months a NY realotor, a NONRES, bought it and has turned it into a motel and has even gone so far to be seen stuffing matressess up a tiny stairway in that barn that was never zoned or taxed as a living space so they can advertise their motel for $600.00 a night to 12 transients/tourists. Like the NONRES that sold me my home for less than he paid for it, these NONRES with their property manager “hosts” and lawyers would destroy the neighborhood where they invested only to complain they didn't get what they paid for it when they CASHOUT. They don’t live here and don’t care for anything but money. Like a parasite drains the life from its host it kills then disgards that corps for the next poor, stupid, victim, so do these NONRES that drain the charm and history from our community, our neighborhoods.

  Everyone that allows these NONRES to do this to Historic Mystic District and does not join in banning them gives these NONRES the right to DO THE SAME THING TO THEIR BACKYARD. We aren’t just residents, taxpayers, and voters; these are our homes, and we live here. Show these rich NONRES and their lawyers and their property managers that our neighborhood matters - to us - before our neighborhoods do not matter to anyone. Ban STRs. Historic Mystic District is zoned residential not commercial. Anyone putting STR rent money in their pocket (rich LLCs, property managing hosts, wanabe innkeepers) are breaking the "common sense" law that a MOTEL ISN'T A RESIDENCE ... please help preserve Mystic.
• Share Lets work together to make Mystic an even better place!!!! on Facebook Share Lets work together to make Mystic an even better place!!!! on Twitter Share Lets work together to make Mystic an even better place!!!! on Linkedin Email Lets work together to make Mystic an even better place!!!! link

  Lets work together to make Mystic an even better place!!!!

  by Arnaud Bourgeois , almost 4 years ago

  My name is Arnaud Bourgeois I'm the VP of MHA (Mystic Host Association).

  I reside on Gravel Street in the heart of Mystic and I'm surrounded by few empty homes with out of town residents occupying their home only a few weeks a year, by local people living downtown and by STR's owners leaving next to their STRs or away from them. I'm a every day witness of what is happening downtown. Few neighbors are complaining of noises and parking issues. I do believe that noises and parking issue is not the result of STRs but more of growing pains... Continue reading

  My name is Arnaud Bourgeois I'm the VP of MHA (Mystic Host Association).

  I reside on Gravel Street in the heart of Mystic and I'm surrounded by few empty homes with out of town residents occupying their home only a few weeks a year, by local people living downtown and by STR's owners leaving next to their STRs or away from them. I'm a every day witness of what is happening downtown. Few neighbors are complaining of noises and parking issues. I do believe that noises and parking issue is not the result of STRs but more of growing pains coming from a small village that is becoming a popular spot for tourists coming from NY,Boston and several surrounding states. With a great museum, the aquarium and 18 restaurants, shops and other few activities this is one of few places in the East coast to come and enjoy a nice weekend. Let's work together and find a solution for parking and loud people coming out of the bars and restaurants late at night.STR's are bringing between 22 and 30 millions $ of revenue each year to the town economy. This number is without the revenue to the owner of STRs or taxes going to the State but only the money spent by guests in local restaurants and shops and museum etc. Groton and Stonington worked really hard in the last 10 years to be successful. Now that Mystic is a destination let's work together to make this town a good and fun place to be. Please check https://mystichostsassociation.com for more stories and facts on STRs. let's not forget that we are a beautiful small village situated between 2 of the biggest cities in America. This will attract people one way or the other. Lets work together to make Mystic an even better place!!!!

  Thank you to the ZPC and Horsley Witten Group for their work and for opening the discussion on this issue.

  Arnaud Bourgeois
• Share STRs “pseudo hotels” “communities of transients” “party houses” "displace rental units new hires need" on Facebook Share STRs “pseudo hotels” “communities of transients” “party houses” "displace rental units new hires need" on Twitter Share STRs “pseudo hotels” “communities of transients” “party houses” "displace rental units new hires need" on Linkedin Email STRs “pseudo hotels” “communities of transients” “party houses” "displace rental units new hires need" link

  STRs “pseudo hotels” “communities of transients” “party houses” "displace rental units new hires need"

  by Jeff year around resident Mystic Historic District, almost 4 years ago

  There are many good reasons why local government leaders are focused on finding ways to manage the rapid growth of home-sharing and short-term rental properties in their communities. To name a few:

  1. Increased tourist traffic from short-term renters has the potential to slowly transform peaceful residential communities into “communities of transients” where people are less interested in investing in one another’s lives, be it in the form of informal friend groups or church, school and other community based organizations.

  2. Short-term renters may not always know (or follow) local rules, resulting in public safety risks, noise issues, trash and... Continue reading

  There are many good reasons why local government leaders are focused on finding ways to manage the rapid growth of home-sharing and short-term rental properties in their communities. To name a few:

  1. Increased tourist traffic from short-term renters has the potential to slowly transform peaceful residential communities into “communities of transients” where people are less interested in investing in one another’s lives, be it in the form of informal friend groups or church, school and other community based organizations.

  2. Short-term renters may not always know (or follow) local rules, resulting in public safety risks, noise issues, trash and parking problems for nearby residents.

  3. So-called “party houses” i.e. homes that are continuously rented to larger groups of people with the intent to party can severely impact neighbors and drive down nearby home values.

  4. Conversion of residential units into short-term rentals can result in less availability of affordable housing options and higher rents for long-term renters in the community.

  5. Local service jobs can be jeopardized as unfair competition from unregulated and untaxed short-term rentals reduces demand for local bed & breakfasts, hotels and motels.

  6. Towns often lose out on tax revenue (most often referred to as Transient Occupancy Tax / Hotel Tax / Bed Tax or Transaction Privilege Tax) as most short-term landlords fail to remit those taxes even if it is required by law.

  7. Lack of proper regulation or limited enforcement of existing ordinances may cause tension or hostility between short-term landlords and their neighbors.

  8. The existence of “pseudo hotels” in residential neighborhoods (often in violation of local zoning ordinances etc.) may lead to disillusionment with local government officials who may be perceived as ineffective in protecting the interests of local tax-paying citizens.

  In short, while it may be very lucrative for private citizens to become part-time innkeepers, most of the negative externalities are borne by the neighbors and surrounding community who may not be getting much in return. The big questions is therefore not whether it makes sense to regulate short-term rentals, but how to do it to preserve as many of the benefits as possible without turning neighbors and other local community members into “innocent bystanders”.
• Share Save Mystic on Facebook Share Save Mystic on Twitter Share Save Mystic on Linkedin Email Save Mystic link

  Save Mystic

  by Anna, almost 4 years ago

  20 years ago, I moved to a quaint, historic seaside town ...

  where did it go?

  Everyone wants to be here: day trippers, overnight guests, potential home owners.

  Why? Because Mystic is Americana, but it can quickly disappear.

  I've rented houses on vacation in Siesta Key, Newport, Nantucket ... but I wouldn't want to live there. Mystic will become a town of vacation rentals unless some ordinances are in place.

  I live in a Sea Captain's house on High Street in Mystic surrounded by friendly neighbors. I sometimes rent my house, but I stay on my property out of respect... Continue reading

  20 years ago, I moved to a quaint, historic seaside town ...

  where did it go?

  Everyone wants to be here: day trippers, overnight guests, potential home owners.

  Why? Because Mystic is Americana, but it can quickly disappear.

  I've rented houses on vacation in Siesta Key, Newport, Nantucket ... but I wouldn't want to live there. Mystic will become a town of vacation rentals unless some ordinances are in place.

  I live in a Sea Captain's house on High Street in Mystic surrounded by friendly neighbors. I sometimes rent my house, but I stay on my property out of respect for my neighbors and to watch my house. I think owner occupied or owner in town rentals are a good compromise.

  My former house at 21 Bank Street in Mystic is continuously rented and not owner occupied ... owners live in California. Stucco is peeling off chimney, trash cans are always out on the street, rented nightly on Airbnb.

  Ultimately, I think there should be rules in place: owner occupied rentals and noise ordinance for the late night bar patrons that I hear every single night.

  It wouldn't take much to bring back our quaint, historic seaside town of Mystic.

  
  

  
  

  
  
• Share No police citations or formal complaints on Facebook Share No police citations or formal complaints on Twitter Share No police citations or formal complaints on Linkedin Email No police citations or formal complaints link

  No police citations or formal complaints

  by jlhesp, almost 4 years ago
  As a new Airbnb host and MHA member (Mystichostsassociation.com) I was interested in any negative issues with STR's. I attended the town meeting and specifically asked the town counsel what have the issues been? How many times have the local police been contacted? How many breach of peace citations have been issued? How many noise ordinances have been violated? At the meeting I asked to see and review each complaint and how each was addressed by the property owner. Nothing was presented because none of this data exists. One or two disgruntled neighbors spoke, one who's issue was he does... Continue reading

  As a new Airbnb host and MHA member (Mystichostsassociation.com) I was interested in any negative issues with STR's. I attended the town meeting and specifically asked the town counsel what have the issues been? How many times have the local police been contacted? How many breach of peace citations have been issued? How many noise ordinances have been violated? At the meeting I asked to see and review each complaint and how each was addressed by the property owner. Nothing was presented because none of this data exists. One or two disgruntled neighbors spoke, one who's issue was he does not know his neighbor and can't go out on the porch and drink a beer with his neighbor. Really? I think we as a town could spend our time and resources more wisely, rather than create and issue that does not exist.
• Share Vacation homes often do create a sense of community on Facebook Share Vacation homes often do create a sense of community on Twitter Share Vacation homes often do create a sense of community on Linkedin Email Vacation homes often do create a sense of community link

  Vacation homes often do create a sense of community

  by Jodi, almost 4 years ago

  We recently rented our Vacation home to the captain and some crew members of the Viking Ship currently at the Mystic Seaport Museum. Ours was not the only home in Mystic that the crew rented. They came from overseas and stayed for three weeks, riding rental bikes to the Seaport each day, and working long hours. They came home tired and hungry and happy to be able to relax and cook at a home, together; not sequestered to their own individual hotel rooms with no access to a kitchen. They were excited and proud of the work they were doing... Continue reading

  We recently rented our Vacation home to the captain and some crew members of the Viking Ship currently at the Mystic Seaport Museum. Ours was not the only home in Mystic that the crew rented. They came from overseas and stayed for three weeks, riding rental bikes to the Seaport each day, and working long hours. They came home tired and hungry and happy to be able to relax and cook at a home, together; not sequestered to their own individual hotel rooms with no access to a kitchen. They were excited and proud of the work they were doing and were looking forward to eventually sailing her again. We were happy to be able to provide this opportunity for them and for the Seaport Museum, an integral part of our community. I’ve never felt a greater sense of community than I did during this time.
  And this is just one example. Thanksgiving family gatherings, Christmas visits with relatives, and family reunions all help to create a sense of community. I prefer this anytime over a house next door bought by an out of towner that is occupied only on select weekends throughout the summer.
  Vacation homes add great value to this area. It would be a disappointment to see them go.
• Share Still recovering from the STR trauma that destroyed my hometown on Facebook Share Still recovering from the STR trauma that destroyed my hometown on Twitter Share Still recovering from the STR trauma that destroyed my hometown on Linkedin Email Still recovering from the STR trauma that destroyed my hometown link

  Still recovering from the STR trauma that destroyed my hometown

  by Mystic local yokel, almost 4 years ago

  My husband and I currently live in a colonial home we renovated on Ashby Street in Mystic. I passionately believe that a proliferation of short-term rentals will harm Mystic. We must act now to ideally eliminate the use of short-term rental properties in Mystic, and at a minimum heavily regulate this industry that may end up becoming a parasite for our lovely town.

  I first had the opportunity to come to Groton when the Navy sent me in 2008. I immediately fell in love with its New England charm and knew one day I wanted to call this home. The... Continue reading

  My husband and I currently live in a colonial home we renovated on Ashby Street in Mystic. I passionately believe that a proliferation of short-term rentals will harm Mystic. We must act now to ideally eliminate the use of short-term rental properties in Mystic, and at a minimum heavily regulate this industry that may end up becoming a parasite for our lovely town.

  I first had the opportunity to come to Groton when the Navy sent me in 2008. I immediately fell in love with its New England charm and knew one day I wanted to call this home. The town reminded me fondly of where I grew up on the Isle of Palms (IOP), which is also a navy town in Charleston, SC. Growing up it was a very small community with many military retirees, school teachers, artists, etc. raising their families and looking out for one another. Many of my friends' parents and even grandparents grew up together (some even fought in WWII together). Everybody knew everybody. Does this sound familiar?

  When the naval base closed in the early 90s, Charleston rebranded itself as a tourist destination to create more jobs. Unfortunately, the influx of investors building second homes and short-term rentals ended up driving the locals further out of town such that those who did have a job in Charleston could not afford to live there. Over the span of 15years, I witnessed my hometown turn into one with monolithic box homes hosting rotating out of state cars every week. Property prices and taxes went up and drove out all of the permanent residents. First, as retirees passed away their homes were demolished; then, middle-income families were forced out because they could no longer afford to live there. Today, very few teachers, firemen, restaurant servers, etc. can afford to live in the community and must commute upwards of an hour to work each day. Lastly, a vast majority of the homes on the IOP are second homes or property rentals being managed by realtor offices. Many realtor offices also had representation on town council, removing barriers to entry and ensuring laws remained in their favor. Does this sound familiar?

  I share this background with you because I am fearful of what I am starting to see in our town, primarily the number of short-term rentals. What exactly is this doing to support the community? If I have learned anything during the pandemic, it is how wonderfully supportive our community and neighbors have been for each other. That support has helped keep our downtown restaurants and businesses open through the hardest times when no tourists were visiting. By allowing for short-term rentals to remain legal and proliferate, we will be attracting people into our community buying up homes only to flip or rent them as short-term rentals with no sense of community here. This will make it unaffordable for current residents to remain and drive away families looking for a place with a sense of community.

  Between the strategic submarine base, Electric Boat's contracts to manufacture submarines, Pfizer's offices, and Foxwoods and Mohegan, Mystic and the surrounding towns here are built to survive without depending on a proliferated short-term rental economy. I implore you to support a ban of short-term rentals in the town of Groton. I worry if swift action is not taken, we will lose that New England charm and community that makes us so special.