STR Neighbor Complaints

[Kadeidra Honey-Brooks]

Anyone have advice on what to do about an STR neighbor who hates us? We just purchased our first property and the people across the street keep complaining to Airbnb about everything we do. My rental is in a residential neighborhood and is pretty pricey so it's catered to a clientele who can afford ($1k+/night). These are the complaints so far:

1. They didn’t like that we referred to the land behind our property as a “wooded area” because it’s their private property and we are “falsely advertising” and “encouraging guests to trespass.” Ok, my bad, we were told by the agent it wasn’t owned by anyone. But we’ve now changed the listing and made sure to tell guests it’s private property and not to go on it. 

2. A huge tree fell on our property and we didn’t get it removed fast enough. 

3. When we did get the tree removed, the chainsaws were too loud. 

4. The most recent guests were too loud, their dog was “on the loose and chasing people down” (they didn’t have a dog - I confirmed with my cleaner that there wasn’t a single dog hair found on the property). And the guests were “throwing fireworks at each other’s bare chests until 1:30am” (I don’t even know what that means. Also, they had a baby so I highly doubt this is true).

5. They don’t think it’s appropriate that I manage the property from afar. 

Do I just ignore these complaints? Should I be worried about them shutting me down or contacting the city to revoke my STR license, even though I've done nothing wrong?

Any advice from the sage BP community would be much appreciated!

[Rodney Sums]

Quote from @Kadeidra Honey-Brooks:

Anyone have advice on what to do about an STR neighbor who hates us? We just purchased our first property and the people across the street keep complaining to Airbnb about everything we do. My rental is in a residential neighborhood and is pretty pricey so it's catered to a clientele who can afford ($1k+/night). These are the complaints so far:

1. They didn’t like that we referred to the land behind our property as a “wooded area” because it’s their private property and we are “falsely advertising” and “encouraging guests to trespass.” Ok, my bad, we were told by the agent it wasn’t owned by anyone. But we’ve now changed the listing and made sure to tell guests it’s private property and not to go on it. 

2. A huge tree fell on our property and we didn’t get it removed fast enough. 

3. When we did get the tree removed, the chainsaws were too loud. 

4. The most recent guests were too loud, their dog was “on the loose and chasing people down” (they didn’t have a dog - I confirmed with my cleaner that there wasn’t a single dog hair found on the property). And the guests were “throwing fireworks at each other’s bare chests until 1:30am” (I don’t even know what that means. Also, they had a baby so I highly doubt this is true).

5. They don’t think it’s appropriate that I manage the property from afar. 

Do I just ignore these complaints? Should I be worried about them shutting me down or contacting the city to revoke my STR license, even though I've done nothing wrong?

Any advice from the sage BP community would be much appreciated!

1. They didn’t like that we referred to the land behind our property as a “wooded area” because it’s their private property and we are “falsely advertising” and “encouraging guests to trespass.”

- invite a bunch of friends over and collectively stand in your backyard staring at their private wooded area for a long time. Do this at night. Dress like nuns and priests holding candles. Let them know you'll stop when they leave you alone

2. A huge tree fell on our property and we didn’t get it removed fast enough.

-stand tree back up, wrap duct tape around the trunk. Explain that you did it so they wouldn't be inconvenienced with a tree laying down within their field of view. 

3. When we did get the tree removed, the chainsaws were too loud.

-Next time cut it down Paul Bunion style with hand saws singing folk music

4. The most recent guests were too loud, their dog was “on the loose and chasing people down” 

-advertise dogs chasing people isn't allowed, only people chasing dogs

4a. And the guests were “throwing fireworks at each other’s bare chests until 1:30am” 

-new rule is firecrackers may only be thrown at butts like a Jackass movie

5. They don’t think it’s appropriate that I manage the property from afar.

-buy a 1975 Winnebago with the long W on the side. Park on the street and tell your neighbor it's your mobile management vehicle to keep you close

Lastly mail your neighbor some pamphlets about seeking help for drug addiction. Those complaints are bananas I see no way someone takes your license over that.