Residents Want Moratorium Extended on Short-Term Rentals

Opponents of short-term rentals in Anaheim are asking the city to extend a moratorium on homes that are leased for less than 30 days. Residents and hotel workers want the city to develop a strict policy.

One such complex is indicative of what's happened over the last year. About one in four homes is a short-term rental.

A local homeowners association will vote next week whether to allow the properties to stay on the short-term market, which means anything less than 30 days.

You won't see a sign that says Hyatt or Hilton outside one Anaheim home. But it's available even for a weekend.

"When they're really busy, like during the summer months, we've had new people come in like a revolving door every three nights," said Carmen Hofsaess, a resident.

And with that comes noise and traffic issues, Hofsaess said. Photos show numerous cars parked outside during one rental period from a night when they called police.

"They had a karaoke night that went on and on until the morning hours," she said.

Residents living in the shadow of Disneyland and the Anaheim Convention Center center said these short-term rental homes need to be stopped.

Citywide there are 400 licensed properties, with another 170 under review. Officials said they get up to 10 new applications a week. Residents say enough is enough.

"They don't care what happens," Jeanine Robbins said. "They're getting their money. They don't care how it impacts the neighbors or the neighborhood.

Sharon Greenman said her livelihood is making $1,000 a week for her three-bedroom condo. She moved out of it to care for her aging parents.

"I have not been able to find any kind of work, minimum wage work," said Greenman. "No one's willing to hire me."

NBC4 found more than 470 homes for rent on homeaway.com with prices starting at $150 a night.

The city is home to the happiest place on earth but also 345,000 people.

"So we're trying to find that balance so that these short-term rental business can exist within the neighborhoods without disrupting the integrity of the neighborhoods," said Ruth Ruiz, the city of Anaheim spokeswoman.

The City Council is expected Tuesday night to hit the pause button again, this time for six months while they figure what to do. That means no new sort-term rentals if that moratorium is extended.

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