January 14,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Airbnb website currently lists approximately 10 available short term rental properties within the Village. Anyone recognize a familiar house?
https://www.airbnb.com/s/Ridgewood–NJ?page=1&allow_override%5B%5D=&ne_lat=41.001381423543485&ne_lng=-74.09426971669666&sw_lat=40.96728319150772&sw_lng=-74.12602707143299&zoom=14&search_by_map=true&ss_id=51dbgfe0&s_tag=Wlt04oDH
I did not know about this going on in Ridgewood. I remember something when the superbowl was nearby that people were going to rent their houses for “thousands” for that weekend. That seemed weird. This is even weirder. I live in a private home in a residential neighborhood. I do not want a virtual hotel on my block. I do not want strangers coming and going. I do not want my kids playing outside and unknown people are in the next yard.
Someone argued on another link that if you are unaware it is going on then what is the problem. That is a ridiculous defense. If I am unaware that someone is cooking up crack next door that doesn’t make it OK.
This is now illegal and I am glad it is illegal and I hope they enforce it.
I make my money legally and I pay taxes on every dime I make.
So it wasn’t illegal, but now it is. Some people made a lot of bucks and came to count on it for income. Well, now they no longer can.
So maybe the current listings should be sent a notification that they cannot continue. Perhaps a grace period can be offered so they can meet obligations for let’s say the next 6 weeks, and give them time to notify people who have reserved rooms further into the year.
These people were not breaking the law, but now they need to be informed that they will be if the continue.
They just outlawed this in the hamptons I think
The town has a lot of big issues to hammer out.
Does shutting down 5 legitimate small businesses make everyone feel better?
12:26. Correction, they are no longer legitimate businesses.
Shut them all.
Go to the listings and figure out who I am. I am waiting patiently for a summons to arrive. Once it does my lawyers from White & Case who have been briefed of the situation will defend my rights vigorously. I have been assured a victory. You can tell me all about the things “you want” until your blue in the face. This is what I want to do with MY property that I pay very high taxes on and if you think a municipality is going to stop virtual commerce that’s sweeping the globe your crazy.
12:26 well maybe if a hotel was next to your quiet home you would feel this was a big issue. Anyway, it is hammered out and done.
I am near one. Did not know, did not notice and do not care.
The visitors to Ridgewood do not seem any more threatening than some of the residents.
I just sent a link to this blog post to the entire council and village clerk asking for follow-up. Someone official, police or other, needs to be assigned to keep on top of this, especially with the “ink” on the new ordinance “still wet,” on ALL such websites, and follow up quickly with whatever warnings, notices, lead time, etc., are considered appropriate, after which fines should be levied.
I agree with the first three posts wholeheartedly. As for people no longer able to make money on their houses, I do not care. If I couldn’t afford my house, I would move, and so can they. Or make do with less.
Can someone tell me how anti-BnB becomes such a town priority to require an ordinance when many other issues are left unresolved?
Just wait until there is a rape murder or robbery… then the town will be sued for not enforcing the law.
Because this is Ridgewood 5:01 and its full of assholes like 4:25. The town us going to “assign” someone “official” to keep “on top of this” …
How pathetically stupid. With all the CRAP going on around here this is where efforts are applied? Take a que from 4:03 and mind your own business.
2:11 – You can be represented by the law office of Blowhard, Bloviate, and Grae.
Virtual Commerce? Ummmm no, this is not virtual commerce. This is real commerce and it is really illegal
When the “no short term rentals” ordinance was in the proposal stage and being discussed in open public Village Council meetings, only one (1) taxpayer spoke in opposition to the introduction of such an ordinance, and that person said she was not running an Airbnb in Ridgewood.
So where were those of you who now are so vehemently opposed to the Village regulations prohibiting such operations?
You snooze, you lose.
2:11- you’re.
And, 5:01 it is something that requires town action because it’s not safe. Who the hell are you to rent your home to someone who may or may not be a pervert or murderer in our residential neighborhood because you can’t afford your home. Tough luck.
6:02 what makes you think that Airbnb customers are prone to rape and robbery?
Ridgewood residents are just as likely to be the perpetrators
This town has more petty regulations then they need. Meanwhile our taxes are going up and quality of life is going down
It quickly becomes one’s own business when it’s happening next door. Important to nip it in the bud. And what if, while disagreeing, we stopped calling people offensive names?
Whats next, will we have to register out of town guests? Is this a dorm or a town? I thought coop bs was behind me when i left the city. guess i was too optimistic. the nanny state knows no bounds.
10:43 when you moved to get away from the NYC mentality so did a lot of your neighbors.Thus the NYC mentality is now the Ridgewood mentality.
I’m all for the new ordinance. At $1,000 per day in fines maybe they can afford to ditch the leaf summonses
8:56 — that’s PERFECT! Let’s create a NEW ordinance that you agree with and set a high fine so that you can ignore an EXISTING ordinance that you don’t agree with. Let’s make the fine $100,000 and stop enforcing all moving violations in town! They are so inconvenient what with all the flashing lights and sirens.
Re: “Can someone tell me how anti-BnB becomes such a town priority to require an ordinance when many other issues are left unresolved?””
Because this is Ridgewood 5:01 and its full of assholes who list their houses on AirBnB.
I agree that it’s sad that we need to create an ordinance to address the obvious… but then again, we have a “no urinating in public” ordinance which also addresses the obvious, so I guess the new ordinance is necessary for those with no sense.
Great, I’m listing my place right now.