The Rental RegistryEast HamptonOctober 28, 2015Dear David:I am a homeowner in East Hampton, and have rented my house for years, mostly for one month at a time, sometimes for the season, always abiding by the town rental laws. I am very concerned about the proposed rental registry in East Hampton.I understand the need to address two increasingly pressing issues within the town: multiple families cramming into a single-family home, and homeowners offering short-term rentals. I also understand the corresponding larger concern underlying these trends — the threat they pose to the quality of our drinking water and our beaches.While I support the town’s desire to address these issues, the proposed law merely exacerbates the situation, and offers no guaranteed relief from either problem.There are very clear laws currently on the books about the prohibited uses of single-family residences, laws that ostensibly limit excessive turnover, multi-family occupancy, sharehouses, etc. Perhaps I have missed the conversation about how to enforce the existing laws, but I believe that the proposed law is off base on two fronts. First, it serves to place undue burden on homeowners who rent lawfully, both in terms of the cost and inconvenience of the “self-inspection” process, not to mention the potential fines for noncompliance, and second, it will be no easier to enforce than the current law. Without resources dedicated to enforcement, either law is toothless.Let’s put the bite into the current law, which, as it reads, deals with the issues that the rental registry purports to address. The proposed rental registry serves to punish those who do (and will) abide by the law, while doing nothing to identify and police those who do (and will) break the law, and who will continue to play “catch me if you can.”Best regards,LESLIE ANDREWSConcerning RentalsEast HamptonOctober 27, 2015To the Editor:I wonder if there isn’t a simpler way to accomplish the aims of the elaborate, difficult-to-enforce-without-considerable-expense, and somewhat draconian legislation proposed for a rental registry. Leaving aside the difficulties of the proposal and the apparent lack of community unanimity, I’d just like to pose some questions.1. Would it be possible for the town to require that its own laws concerning rentals simply be reproduced in all rental leases?2. And further that language be included that would ensure that any infraction of these laws would void the lease without a requirement for any re-imbursement of already paid rental fees?3. Could the town legislate that rental leases have such language, and that it ben obligation of both proprietors and realtors? (This seems a question for the town’s Legal Department.)Something of this sort might very well inhibit those with intentions not permitted by the laws to think twice about entering into a lease, as, if they were caught in the infractions, they would lose the rental and the rent. This would give property owners (and the town) genuine teeth to see that their properties are properly respected by renters, and that renters who flout town laws do so at genuine risk to their own interests. This would also relieve the town of a burdensome bureaucratic task and let it concentrate on enforcement. The town rental laws might also be strengthened in any area where they might be insufficient.FRED KOLOA Stark DifferenceSpringsOctober 31, 2015To the Editor,What is the difference between those who support the rental registry and those who do not?Supporters are a grassroots group and nonsupporters are primarily businesses, outsiders, and large real estate concerns. Supporters are concerned about the well-being of all the individuals who make their home in East Hampton, as compared to just those who make money off East Hampton real estate and nightclubs.We are working to prevent illegal housing, ensure tenant safety, preserve water quality and the environment, preserve the quality of life on the East End, preserve real estate values, and preserve the single-family residential character of our hamlets — and they are working toward making more money.We speak clearly of the realities in East Hampton, and they use fear tactics, threats of lawsuits, and exaggerations.We have little to no resources to promote our efforts, and they are fully financed to put up signs throughout our community, buy ads, etc. I have used my own name on our petition, and they are anonymous. We spread our agenda through promoting our efforts on the petition and meeting with community-oriented organizations, and they further their agenda by requiring their employees to sign their petition.There is a stark difference between those who support the rental registry and those who do not!Truths:• Nothing in the rental registry prohibits individuals from renting their homes.• Nothing in the rental registry makes anything illegal that is now legal.• A renter does not need to obtain a new C. of O., even if they currently do not comply.• Registration costs $125 per year. A small cost in comparison to rental income.• The “self checklist” takes less than 10 minutes to complete.• “Presumptive evidence” is not “presumptive guilt.” Presumptive evidence is a set criteria to be used by code enforcement to determine that a property is most likely being used as rental property.• Those who support the rental registry are not opposed to an individual or business renting their property.The misguided real estate agents who oppose the rental registry will in a short time find their commissions decreasing as Airbnb gains greater dominance in the rental market.Find a way to show your support!FRANK RIINAFreedom to RentSpringsNovember 2, 2015Dear Mr. Rattray:Here’s an excerpt from a letter dated Oct. 30, and sent directly to all the members of the East Hampton Town Board about the proposed rental registry law. The letter writer is a property owner and an attorney. The letter is clearly meant to be friendly, informative, and helpful.“The chilling effect that this proposed ordinance imposes on rentals is veritably a form of eminent domain. It is taking of a property right (freedom to rent) without due compensation. It is also an infringement of the commerce clause by impacting on rentals to out-of-state persons and foreigners. It fails in providing due process, and shows no legitimate stated purpose.”And then there’s the part about “taking the Fifth” that you really should read!The letter in its entirely is over at stoptherentalregistry.com. Well worth reading, since it was written by someone who clearly understands and respects the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Fourth Amendment. (I’m wondering about our town attorneys who crafted the rental registry law!)As to the caterwauling women who fill the local newspaper with indignant letters to the editor in support of a rental registry, calling their neighbors against the rental registry and defenders of the Constitution fools, stupid, liars, takers in need of unmasking, manipulators, unethical, divisive, and clinically in need of help, these fine ladies need to apologize to every resident in the Town of East Hampton, and in particular to the good citizens (725+) who are pouring into stoptherentalregistry. com to stand up for their rights against the arbitrary use of power and control.And we have one of these “civic-minded” ladies on video stealing election signs against the rental registry. A link is available at stoptherentalregistry.com for your viewing pleasure!LYNNE W. SCANLON Vultures Will Be ThereSpringsNovember 2, 2015Dear David,These are truly the times that try men’s souls, though I am beginning to wonder if some in this town have any soul left or did they sell their souls and honor to a very high bidder: the helicopter group headed by an unscrupulous person.In the past we innocently put up signs for the party and its candidates that we fervently supported. This ethos disappeared during this past election. Innocence and naiveté were taken away by those who only care about one thing: how much money they can amass. We all like money and need it to live, but it is what we will do to get money that separates us into those who are the despoilers of life, and even their own communities, and those who understand the ramifications of their actions and the effect upon the town at large.The issue of a proposal of a rental registry, which will never prohibit anyone from renting, has been dragged into this last election even to the point of ramming it down the throats of the Republican candidates by the mafia-like group of cowards fueled by New Jersey money — a dangerous gang. They littered our streets with their signs heralding their twisted view.I stand with this town board on a reasonable, carefully crafted law that will protect us from the abuses they would like to proliferate, like jamming multiple people into single-family residences regardless of health and safety.Our endangered quality of water alone should make people realize that if you can’t drink the water from that very famous sole source aquifer what you have is worthless, and no water company, whatever its phony name, can change that. What we own will have no value.If this town is to survive and continue to be the special place it is, you must stand up for what you own and come to the public hearing on Nov. 19 at the American Legion at 6:30 p.m. to voice your support. I can assure the vultures will be there en masse.Sincerely,PHYLLIS ITALIANO
Published 4 years ago
Last updated 4 years ago
Letters to the Editor: Rentals 11.05.15
November 5, 2015