TOWNSHIP OF PARADISE, COUNTY OF MONROE (WBRE / WYOU) – Unauthorized short-term rentals are causing problems in Paradise according to Paradise Township supervisors.

The Township of Paradise is considering enforcing the short-term rentals and possibly changing the ordinance.

Paradise Township Board of Supervisors chairman Gary Konrath said some residents were complaining about noise, litter and general nuisance associated with short-term rentals. But he says unlicensed properties are the problem.

In Paradise Township, there are 17 licensed and five unlicensed short-term rental properties. He says those five are the subject of most complaints.

“I think we need to prosecute the people who don’t have a license and if the planning commission comes back and says they’re recommending it no longer be in residential areas, that’s something the council would seriously consider.” , Konrath said.

For the canton, rentals without a license are a danger. Homes cannot be inspected and when they exceed occupancy it overwhelms the septic system. The short-term rental industry is controversial throughout County Monroe.

In Mount Pocono, Joe Simeone says he wants to move because of the short-term rental property next door.

“Someone bought the house, then put it on Airbnb and Vrbo, and it was a total nightmare. There were nights I was woken up at two in the morning on a Tuesday, in the middle of during the week it doesn’t matter, these people come here just to party, ”said Simeone.

Amy Young runs a business providing concierge services for rentals such as cleaning and maintenance. But as a local herself, she understands the complaints. She believes the industry can have positive impacts on the local economy, creating opportunities for contractors, cleaning services and rental agencies. But they have to be managed well.

“The best thing is to just control your guests, to make sure they are trustworthy, to make sure they have good intentions, to make sure that they don’t have a party and that they will be. respectful of neighbors. Come up with ground rules and guidelines for your home, ”Young said.

Marion Gaeta, a real estate broker for 20 years, says it’s better for everyone to rent through a licensed broker rather than an online platform like Airbnb because you know they’ll be licensed.

The Planning Commission will be making suggestions to Paradise Township supervisors in the coming months.