A group of friends rented a home on Vrbo, not knowing they would be caught in a neighbors’ dispute over short-term rentals. After the third night spent at the rented house, they woke up to their RV’s tires cut and an intimidating message written on the garage.
This Vandalism Terrified the Guests
Alana Harrison from Kansas and ten more people were staying at a short-term rental in the Green Valley neighborhood of Fairfield. One morning they woke up and found a menacing message on the garage door.
Someone wrote that this is their final warning and that the tribe is telling them to leave this place. The second part of the painted message was notifying the visitors that they have no idea who lives on the mountain and that their people shouldn’t be underestimated.
In addition, all four of the tires on their rental van had also been cut.
The Property Owners Did Not Have Permission From Their Neighbors
The Solano County Supervisor James Spering, stated that the homeowners did not have permission for short-term rental and that he was surprised to find out renters were staying there.
He also stated that short-term rentals are very controversial in residential areas like Green Valley. It’s mainly due to neighbors’ concerns about the impact on the community, property values, fire risk, and general safety. That’s why travelers should always thoroughly research their destination.
The neighbors who were willing to talk with the reporters said they were not happy about having a “party house” in the area but did not approve of this vandalism. They call it a “party house” because they have remodeled it to house seven bedrooms and ten beds, making it appropriate for large groups looking for a place to socialize and party during corona lockdowns.
The House Is Still Available for Short-Term Renting
Despite the neighbors’ protests, acts of vandalism, customer complaints, and lack of permits, the house is still offered on Vrbo’s online platform. The reporters who visited the place found new renters inside.
Harrison shared her story on Facebook and received reimbursement from Vrbo, but only for the accommodation. As a result, she and her group had to fix the tires at their own expense.
The security cam from one of the neighbor homes caught the perpetrator, but the video was taken from too far away to enable identification. In cases like this, having a dash cam could be helpful, and it could be worth installing, even for rentals.
