Noise Is a Big Deal for Lodging Guests--in Hotels and Vacation Rentals
Sept. 3, 2006. Noise has become a problem for both the hotel industry and the vacation rentals industry. In the case of hotels, it is usually the result of the cheap construction that did not include proper sound proofing and inconsiderate guests who don’t realize how certain noises carry through the walls. In the case of vacation rentals, it is a case of poor screening of tenants who use vacation rentals as a party house that disturbs the neighbors.
In a recent New York Times article, Joe Sharkey does a good job of describing the problems that hotel guests have in getting a good nights’ rest even in elegant hotels. He writes that, “It has been my experience recently that major hotel chains have done a lot to address the issue, but the problem is you cannot tell in advance where the clunkers are.�
In the case of vacation rentals, we don’t have the problem of noise going through the walls, but we have noticed growing resentment in many vacation communities against vacation rentals. This resentment is resulting in some communities enacting ordinances to regulate and restrict the use of residential property for short-term rentals and, in other cases, attempts to ban them altogether. Generally, the complaints center on rowdy groups that rent the vacation properties and disturb the neighborhood by noise and parking in their neighbors’ space.
Unfortunately, most vacation rental owners do not live on or near their vacation units. Therefore, they may be the last to know that their renters are causing problems. It is good to include in the rental documents they must sign strong language about holding the noise down at night. We designate anytime after 10:00 pm as quiet time in our vacation rentals development. This means that guests may do what they want inside their cabins, but not make noise outside that can disturb neighbors. Also, it is a good to personally interview potential renters on the phone and let them know what is expected of them.
We in the vacation rentals industry have a responsibility to the neighborhoods in which our properties are located to be good neighbors. This includes taking what ever action is needed to avoid unruly and rowdy tenants.
