SOUTH HAVEN, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Vacation rentals are being put on hold in South Haven, with city officials saying that the tourism activity will not be allowed during the stay-at-home order.
Several vacation property owners were sent letters warning that rentals would need to cease for the duration of the period. South Haven has begun issuing tickets in cooperation with the health department and county prosecutor’s office for locations that fail to comply with the order.
Many of those managing the businesses say it’s an unfair standard since much larger hotels can continue to operate and that minimal guest interaction occurs at their stand-alone properties.
Bed and Breakfasts, vacation rental firms, and individual leasers have put out statements detailing how they continue to take precautions during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Bluewater Vacation rentals said in a statement released last month, “Our staff is continually researching and implementing new ways to do our part to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus and other communicable diseases throughout the community. Our high standards in maintaining a clean and safe environment remain, we have made proactive changes to our cleaning and sanitizing solutions.”
Some of the rental companies says that they have recently seen an influx of requests by people trying to isolate themselves or family members from the outbreak. They believe the rentals could serve as a way for people from harder hit areas or high-risk individuals to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
City leaders disagree with that argument, saying that vacation rentals encourage non-essential travel which is currently prohibited, and do not count as a service vital for maintaining or sustaining life as detailed in Governor Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order.
“Until the executive order is lifted, that will be the city’s interpretation and we’ll be taking steps to make sure those rules are followed,” City Manager Brian Dissette said in a statement to WOODTV8.
The decision to halt rentals could potentially be litigated in court, with many of the property owners feeling pinched from the temporary loss of income.
