Short-term rentals in need of clear rules

We would like to request ordinances be put in place in Bella Vista so that guidelines are clear for short-term rental owners, operators and residents. Our concerns are primarily the maintaining of the residential neighborhoods as opposed to turning neighborhoods into commercial properties.

Our other concern is that we chose this town, of all towns in the U.S., to retire to. We expect our property to go up rather than down in value due to loss of quality of life, illustrated by so many of the short-term rental properties beside our friends’ homes. We are not opposed to a few short-term rental properties commensurate with the 45 square miles of the tiny town. Owners who are on property when renters come and rent out a bedroom and bath in their own home are not a big concern. Off-property owners interested only in monetary returns (commercial properties) and do not live there are our concern.

Police should be made aware, when called for help with renters, that the property is a shortterm rental and have access to the owners, with addresses to which they can send the bill for infractions of the ordinances. Police should have the right to tell renters to leave when there are six renters, for example, staying in a property designated for fewer people. When renters trespass on neighboring properties, for whatever reason, police should ensure that they vacate the property.

A cap of 400 short-term rentals should have been in place for a town as small as Bella Vista. The town is tiny. That would allow for about 9 short-term rentals per square mile. For residential, not commercial, property, that is more than enough.

Short-term rental owners should apply for a permit and stand accountable to the ordinances, number of renters per bedroom and bath, septic requirements, maintenance of property and suitable behavior that will preserve the residential, not commercial, neighborhoods.

Ninety-nine percent of Bella Vista is made up of residential owners, yet their investment in a home in a neighborhood is being challenged by a commercially driven few. Short-term renters do not volunteer for anything in the community. They don’t attend church, help their neighbors or give of themselves in any way. They are there very temporarily, for self-serving purposes, regardless of how tame that could be, and not to be a part of the community.

SHARON M. AND ALBERT E. CLARK

Bella Vista