To The Editor,

I read with interest your editorial in the January 30 edition of the Bee. As you discuss, a Newtown resident has asked the Legislative Council to ban short term rentals, such as via Airbnb. He expressed safety concerns and nuisance noise. I write to support the right of residents to rent their homes for short term rentals. The ability to rent a house or a portion of the property, such as a separate entrance suite or an outbuilding is an economic right of homeowners. On a more compassionate level, in today’s soaring real estate and commodity prices, it is increasingly difficult to make ends meet. I personally know several people who rely on this type of rental income to be able to afford to live in Newtown. This is especially true for our seniors who get stuck between a fixed income and rising prices.

I believe the concern about safety for children because of the presence of “transient guests” is spurious. Renting in Newtown is not cheap and it’s hard to believe that such a renter has bad intent. I also imagine that most Airbnb’s are quiet operations and the neighbors are not even aware of the arrangement. The editor’s concern that vacationers will not treat the property well is much more an issue for the owner, not the neighbor. Deposits are collected for just this reason.

A middle ground solution would be to require residents who wish to enter into the short term rental business to register with the town and execute an agreement to ensure “quiet enjoyment” for their neighbors and other reasonable guidelines that I would leave to the LC and the Ordinance Subcommittee to develop. Monetary penalties for non-compliance would be the deterrent.

For full disclosure, my spouse and I do not rent any portion of our home nor do we intend to.

Tracy Van Buskirk

Newtown