Laws regarding rentals

[Lady D]

Wondering what is with the county requiring owners of rental properties to register their property and have a working phone inside the units, which the one we rent does. I just called and set up our vacation week in the townhouse we have been renting for 11 years now. The owner mentioned the above things and was thinking about renting mostly to their regulars, which is pretty much who rents the place year to year anyway, they haven't advertised the place in years. And what is with the going door to door seeing who is staying in the rentals? Just curious.

[Zebraspots]

My rental doesn't have any phones.

[Lady D]

Wondering if they are talking about the bed tax As to the deal with having a working phone in the rental properties I have no clue where that came from.

[jackie]

I don't know about the law re working phones in a unit, but as a renter I find that a have to. Cell phones get awful reception here by the gulf(we stay right on the water) and if there is a medical or other emergency, one must have a working phone. That's just my 2 cents!

[Paula]

We keep regular phones in our rentals because, law or not, it feels like a safety thing. Even though most adults have cellphones, kids may not have cell phones and may need to reach their parents if their parents are out (or parents may want to check in on their kids or the rental agency may want to check in on the people staying at the cottages).

The cell phone reception in our area is now very good so that is less of an issue where we are. But I do worry about safety. And I leave the telephone numbers to emergency services (police, ambulance, hospitals), including our address and phone number, in a frame near the phone in case people need that information in a hurry.

I've also heard that in certain kind of natural emergencies, the landlines may work if the cell phones don't. That's why I keep a regular landline at home even though we all have cell phones now and we have excellent reception where we live.

I have had guests from another rental near us come in to use our phone because their rental didn't have one.

So, I like having the phones and I like staying in places that have them. I feel just a little bit more secure with a regular phone nearby.

[ShallowsNole]

The county rental ordinance hasn't yet been enacted (that I am aware of - been out of action for a month and am just getting back in the swing of things). However, there is quite a bit of bed tax enforcement going on, which will include door-to-door in the very near future - i.e., when I get strong enough to hit it.

Don't know about phones, but really it's a good idea to have a landline, in case of emergency. An out-of-town cell phone might not dial local 911, if you have reception to begin with. Also, the Sheriff's Office and Chelco have both utilized a automated call system when circumstances warrant it.

A rental owner can have their landline blocked for long-distance calls, if that's an issue.

[wrobert]

The county rental ordinance hasn't yet been enacted (that I am aware of - been out of action for a month and am just getting back in the swing of things). However, there is quite a bit of bed tax enforcement going on, which will include door-to-door in the very near future - i.e., when I get strong enough to hit it.

Don't know about phones, but really it's a good idea to have a landline, in case of emergency. An out-of-town cell phone might not dial local 911, if you have reception to begin with. Also, the Sheriff's Office and Chelco have both utilized a automated call system when circumstances warrant it.

A rental owner can have their landline blocked for long-distance calls, if that's an issue.

I am like you, I do not remember them ever passing anything. First I ever heard about the working phone. State law does require you to pay sales tax on your electric bill if you rent the unit out at any time in the month though. You have to make sure the electric company knows it is being rented.

[ShallowsNole]

I am like you, I do not remember them ever passing anything. First I ever heard about the working phone. State law does require you to pay sales tax on your electric bill if you rent the unit out at any time in the month though. You have to make sure the electric company knows it is being rented.

Rental owners stampeding to fess up to Chelco...that would be something to see

[scooterbug44]

Rental owners stampeding to fess up to Chelco...that would be something to see

Based on another thread, I would say the odds are that they are paying it - mainly because most non-renters in the area have apparently been paying it too.