With over 140 million tourists coming to Florida every year, there's always a desire to bring guests into your properties. Brandon, Florida is one of the Sunshine State's hidden gems. Though it's a small town, it's one where a healthy stream of vacationers are often visiting.
What are the legal considerations for vacation rentals that you need to keep in mind when operating a vacation rental? Brandon rental laws aren't strict, but knowing what sort of Florida vacation rental regulations are in place will help make sure you don't accrue fines.
If you're curious about some short-term rental compliance tips, we're here to help. Here are the most important legal considerations for vacation rentals in Brandon, Florida.
- Keep your license up to date
- Make sure your insurance is valid
- Understand what makes something a short-term property in Florida
- Follow state regulations, as Hillsborough has none
Keep Your License
One of the most important things to keep in mind is that you'll need a license to operate your rental. Owning a home may not always require a license, but renting it out as a business will.
Make sure you're keeping up with Brandon's licensing needs. You may need to requalify every now and then, so keeping a lawyer or management team on hand isn't a bad idea.
Stay Insured
Vacation rental homes often need insurance. Whether this is strictly required by law or not doesn't mean it isn't important. When you end up in a courtroom with one of your customers, it'll be crucial to have paperwork to back up your insurance claims.
Think of what you need insuring specifically. Having the home insured is important, but you should also insure certain belongings, injury cases, and more.
What Makes Short-Term?
Another thing to consider is what the state considers a short-term rental. In Florida, a rental is a short-term rental if you rent it for seven days or less. Anything that you rent for longer than that may have different regulations, so keep your eyes open.
State and County
Stay aware of whether the regulations you're looking at are at the state level or county level.
Brandon, Florida is in Hillsborough County. Hillsborough doesn't directly regulate short-term rentals at a county level, so you'll mostly deal with state regulations.
That said, you'll need to follow any neighborhood or community regulations that are appearing. These include things like:
- Local sound ordnances
- Local light ordnances
- Any limitations on how many people can be in one home
- Zoning and licensing restrictions
Hillsborough has zones for "transient rental accommodations," the legal term for a short-term rental. Make sure you understand what zone you're in and how that impacts your home.
Understanding Legal Considerations for Vacation Rentals
Knowing the legal considerations for vacation rentals can help you avoid any uncomfortable interactions with the law, from fines to having your license revoked. Keep your license and insurance up to date and make sure you know what codes to follow.
At PMI Hillsborough, we know what your rental property will need. Our passionate staff are experts in Florida vacation rental regulations and can help make sure everything is running smoothly. Contact us today for some property management tips.
