In Part 1 of our blog last week, we mentioned that the onslaught of STRs (short-term rentals), caused by large companies such as Airbnb and VRBO, as well as individual homeowners, started a myriad of problems. The local permanent residents of the Pocono Mountains, which by a large amount make up the majority of the residents there, are unhappy that their quality of life has been greatly reduced, and they are very unhappy about it.

STRs have led to an influx of people coming into the area from the large cities of New York City, Philadelphia, and New Jersey. The newcomers do not have or share the core values of the long-term residents and longtime Pocono homeowners who come up over weekends to escape to solitude.

The Growing Complaints From Residents

Among the numerous complaints from thousands and thousands of residents are:

  • The short-term renters do not share the regard for nature and the land that full-time residents do.
  • They do not respect law and order.
  • Trash is thrown everywhere.
  • Loud, raucous parties occur all over the Poconos. Even when enforcement responds to stop them, they immediately start up again as soon as authorities leave.
  • The anonymity of STRs makes them incubators for crime, and criminals are attracted to the solitude and ability to fly under the radar.
  • Property owners many times live nowhere near the area, so when problems occur, they are too far away to address the issues on time.
  • The turnover of STR property owners averages about three years. They “turn ’em and burn ’em,” using properties to make a quick profit and then dumping them without putting capital investment into the long-term needs of the property. Not exactly a blueprint for building and keeping a nice community.

The HOA Problem

HOAs are the bane of existence for many Pocono communities. HOAs generally do not work well, especially in the Poconos. Many HOAs benefit greatly from short-term rental license fees. Money talks, so they protect the STRs and cover up security and other issues. “Hush, hush” is often the theme.

Some local HOAs have security companies that are so overwhelmed they either cannot or will not clamp down on ongoing problems.

The Loss of Peace and Quiet

Crowded lakes, crowded lake beaches, and constant noise are now the norm during summertime in the Poconos, which is exactly what many people moved there to avoid.

Possible Solutions Moving Forward

It is a huge mess, isn’t it? So, how does the Poconos unwind the clock and solve these issues created by short-sightedness, poor planning, and greed?

  • State legislation to regulate STRs. It is currently high on the priority list to get done.
  • Requiring short-term renters to register and pay a 9% “hotel tax” fee to help improve renter accountability and put money back into the community.
  • Community ordinances, as there are 20 communities in the Poconos, mandate registration and occupancy limits.
  • Requiring landlords to respond to complaints within 24 hours or risk fines.
  • Limiting short-term rentals. There is actually a community website that codes “RED” for no STRs, “YELLOW” for some restrictions, and “GREEN” for no restrictions.
  • Background checks for renters.

Do Your Homework Before Buying

If you are looking to buy a home in the Pocono region, do your homework. Check the area you are considering carefully. Find out who owns the home, who resides there, whether it is a principal residence or second home, and review municipality STR regulations and zoning. All of this information is readily available.

Thinking About Relocating to the Poconos?

Whether you are moving into the Pocono Mountains full-time or purchasing a second home in the region, working with an experienced mover can make the process much easier. At O’Brien’s Moving & Storage, we provide dependable residential moving services for local, long-distance, and interstate relocations throughout Pennsylvania and beyond.

Our experienced team understands the unique challenges of moving in mountain and resort communities and is here to help make your transition smooth, organized, and stress-free.