What would you do (renters)

[brunette8706]

If I were in your situation I would be livid, Especially as such such a brat gives his finger to the camera.
I could understand especially being so far away being nervous bringing up the subject now as they are in your house. I would take this as a learning experience and just let it be. One idea someone mentioned was maybe sending an invoice post trip when they are already out of the house. I would avoid any escalation while they are in the house. But I would make some changes in how you manage your home for future rentals as others have said make a secure deposit and be especially clear that any guests , no matter what age, over six is an additional amount. maybe they assume that since they were children that did not count.

I would be tempted though to ask my friend who cleans the house to just come stop by suddenly when you knew they were all there And just be all nice saying” hi I’m just checking things out to make sure everything is OK “ . Or call the house just say that someone will be coming by the check maintenance , out some stupid excuse.

But I would not escalate anything specifically to the situation. let it be and just change how you do things in the future. I am still shocked that there’s so many more than the six allowed. I can understand thinking maybe one or two people more But that many more it’s just crazy

Hi there! More good points! That is a good idea too to send the cleaning lady over for maintenance. Yes, you are right it so many people over the 6 person limit. We even let people slide when they say they have two young children and we still don't charge the fee. But when you have 13 it's a bit much. Thank you for your input!

 

[bcla]

It is a kind a balancing act. Is your mom concerned enough about how many people are in the house to lose a regular customer and take a chance on someone new?

But as has been mentioned, the governments in the South Lake Tahoe area are struggling with regulating rentals in a way that won't hurt a major industry there.

The city of South Lake Tahoe is the only city government in the entire area. I think they're kind of caught between residents who are tired of their neighborhoods being taken over by vacation homes, and the tax revenue and reputation of the city as a tourist town.

I'm still not quite sure how it works with the county governments. They're bringing in lots of vacation rental tax revenue from the areas around Tahoe, but that tax revenue benefits the entire county.

 

[Imzadi]

There is the possibility that they all rode together but are actually staying in different locations. My family tends to do that at times and it might look like a similar thing in that you'd see a lot of folks walking in (because everyone is going to check out each other's places, lol) and we all help each other unload suitcases. But you would see half of them leaving at some point as well. If a bunch don't leave then you know they were all staying there.

Yes, that's why I said not to accuse them all of staying, but asking if they are. They may have come in with other family members staying elsewhere. But, hiring one van or car to drive them from the airport is a lot cheaper than taking two separate vans/cars.

We tried the credit card route and ran into people who dispute the charges.

Since the OP now has security cameras, she can fight those disputes much easier. Hopefully the filmed footage is up in the cloud somewhere that she can save, and it doesn't automatically overwrite itself in 48 hours or something like that. All she needs to do is take a screenshot of the credit card user coming in, along with the date, and another screenshot of the people leaving, along with the date and send it to her credit card processor and let them do the rest.

Then let them know that, in accordance with the contract they signed, you will be billing them for the extra people. If they do damage to the unit, bill them for that too.

Likewise, if you decide to bill them once they are out of the place, send a screenshot of all of the guests arriving with suitcases and also a pic of them all leaving, again with suitcases, so they can't dispute it and say these people just stopped by to visit every day from next door, where they are staying. IF they are at all honorable, once caught red handed with pics, they will pay. If not, you will have lost nothing, but a try. And they will be out of your place.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I'm sorta going a slightly different direction on this one.

I wouldn't do a darn thing for the current renters. I wouldn't call. I wouldn't charge extra. I would take this as a learning lesson and go forward with changes.

In the future I would put a clause, if you want regarding a security deposit, I would also mention security cameras on the outside of the house. Honestly, I can see where that's a plus for potential renters because it gives a sort of peace of mind should something happen while they are there. It may also be a potential deterrant towards people who seek to break rules set up in the contract. I do think it's a good idea to look up your area's ordinance and place that in the contract.

The reason why I wouldn't do anything--the only reason you even have a thought (as far as I know) about there being more than stated on the contract is because security cameras. Otherwise you would be none the wiser. Yes it stinks thinking they may be taking advantage of you though but you also have no proof either unless you have cameras installed inside the house.

As far as the kid with the middle finger gesture (which I would agree is very inappropriate)-if you feel strong enough about that part you can decline to rent to this group in the future.

 

[tvguy]

Yes, we would rather lose a regular renter who is stuffing so many extra people in the house. It raises the chance of having the neighbors complain about noise and extra cars, generates extra garbage, adds wear and tear on the house, etc. My parents are more like "casual landlords." They rent the entire winter to a ski group (same group for at least 10 years). Family members mostly use the place in the summer. We also go by word of mouth. I rented two weeks last year to my co-worker's family. I have another co-worker who wants to rent this summer. Especially with the increased regulations, we'd rather rent it to people we know.

That's a great description, "casual landlords". I totally get that.

 

[tvguy]

The city of South Lake Tahoe is the only city government in the entire area. I think they're kind of caught between residents who are tired of their neighborhoods being taken over by vacation homes, and the tax revenue and reputation of the city as a tourist town.

I'm still not quite sure how it works with the county governments. They're bringing in lots of vacation rental tax revenue from the areas around Tahoe, but that tax revenue benefits the entire county.

Sort of reminds me of Anaheim and Disneyland.

 

[mnrose]

I have "regular" (not vacation) rentals, and in some locations, there are strict city codes about the number of people who can occupy a home. One town we rent in says we cannot rent to anymore than 2x the total number of LEGAL bedrooms in a home...so 8 in a 4 bedroom place. Period. I'd double check if there are any such requirements in your area. This is a fire code regulation and done for the safety of all. (Oddly enough, it does not apply to owners, but only landlords, but whatever). I LIKED having the rule. One family came to us with 8 kids, plus mom and dad. We were able to say "sorry, we cannot rent to more than 8). Age doesn't matter at all under the ordinance.

I agree with others that I would let it be for now, but call them on it after the fact, and send them a bill. They will never pay, of course, but it might slow them down next time. And, I'd DEFINITELY charge a deposit, or require a credit card to which damages/extra fees could be AUTOMATICALLY charged in the event of damage or lease violation (I've seen that done in some places I rent in lieu of a deposit). I don't mind paying deposits at all because it tells me the landlord cares about the home. Since I am a considerate and careful renter, I've always gotten the deposit back in it's entirety. Quality guests won't care about deposits, and those are the people you want to attract anyway.

 

[Julie's Haircut]

Yikes!!! No security deposit????

I own a rental at the New Jersey Shore and absolutely require a security deposit. Maximum listed occupancy is eight, but I really don't know if some renters sneak in more people.

 

[gotomu212]

Since the OP now has security cameras, she can fight those disputes much easier. Hopefully the filmed footage is up in the cloud somewhere that she can save, and it doesn't automatically overwrite itself in 48 hours or something like that. All she needs to do is take a screenshot of the credit card user coming in, along with the date, and another screenshot of the people leaving, along with the date and send it to her credit card processor and let them do the rest.

This was honestly not our experience. Granted we didn’t have video but we had official property manager reports and in one case we had police reports. Unless the contract is VERY specific and talks about how they will recoup damages or overages and what the mediation process is the card companies put the burden on the vendor (at least in the 4 separate cases we had). We could have taken it to court but the cost of that would have been more than the charge they were disputing so it was just the cost of doing business.

In this case a few screen shots aren’t enough, you’d need to turn the whole tape over to show when people,were coming and going through the whole week since they could say thenoften metnat one house but slept at others, and I would be surprised if a company would spend the time to spook through all of that.

 

[bcla]

Sort of reminds me of Anaheim and Disneyland.

They put in residential permit parking areas, right? However, it looks like they've completely stopped permitting any new short-term rentals as well as phased out any existing ones. However, they make a whole boatload of tax revenue from Disneyland and all those businesses around it.

 

[cobright]

You have cameras that show a dozen+ people enter the house. When does it show them leaving?

If your surveillance video shows they have that many people on site, call them up. Say a neighbor called you about a big crowd entering the house and your exterior video shows they are way over the 6 they signed on for. You understand that last minute changes can happen but they should have contacted you and come to an agreement. Then perhaps you agree to waive the overage caused by small children so long as there is not additional work left for the housekeeper.

Get them to memorialize the new agreement by email. It's not as solid as a paper contract but it's generally enough in small claims court.

In the future be sure to explain that video surveillance of the entrance exterior and all parking areas is in place for the purpose of security and compliance with the declared occupancy. That should scare off future scofflaws.

 

[NYCgrrl]

People will lie.
That's a given.

What you need is a contract written up by an atty, an appropriate security deposit and enough insurance to cover any property damage specifically for a rental property. Your lawyer can tell you how to pass the cost of insurance on to the renters in that locale.

For your current tenants that you have no deposit for? Really nothing you can do beyond plan better for the future.
I owned a property management company for many years and saw stuff you wouldn't believe.

 

[brunette8706]

People will lie.
That's a given.

What you need is a contract written up by an atty, an appropriate security deposit and enough insurance to cover any property damage specifically for a rental property. Your lawyer can tell you how to pass the cost of insurance on to the renters in that locale.

For your current tenants that you have no deposit for? Really nothing you can do beyond plan better for the future.
I owned a property management company for many years and saw stuff you wouldn't believe.

Hi there! Again, more valid points and great suggestions in regards to insurance and a lawyer. We never thought of that. Talk about a learning experience. Thank you for your input!

 

[Imzadi]

enough insurance to cover any property damage specifically for a rental property.

Not just property damage, but I wonder if her insurance covers liability for that many people?

 

[CarolAnn856]

I wouldn't do anything until they leave, for fear of them causing damage. You could try to get them to pay once they are gone, but don't hold your breath. And if you do, be prepared for them to leave you a negative review.

 

[dish rag]

I totally agree! It just makes me so mad that people have to lie. Ugh.

You read it often on the dis about people fibbing. There was just a thread with a lady wanting to lie about her adult age children's ages.

 

[brunette8706]

Not just property damage, but I wonder if her insurance covers liability for that many people?

You know, I have no idea! I'm just going to let this go, and not chance them ruining or damaging anything in the home or pool. I will send them a bill after we get the key back though. I highly doubt we will get anything back. Someone said you can charge insurance which is part of the rental fee, not sure how to go about doing this. Does anyone know. An acquaintance has "Home Away From Home" which is like VRBO and she collects insurance I think it's $69.99 per rental. Does anyone know how to go about this.

 

[brunette8706]

You read it often on the dis about people fibbing. There was just a thread with a lady wanting to lie about her adult age children's ages.

I know. It just irks me!

 

[brunette8706]

I wouldn't do anything until they leave, for fear of them causing damage. You could try to get them to pay once they are gone, but don't hold your breath. And if you do, be prepared for them to leave you a negative review.

HA you just read my mind. I just posted about this! I totally agree! Well what goes around comes around as the saying goes.

 

[scrapquitler]

I've seen something very similar to this on one of the tv judge shows.