GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
RASM Members Headed to Tallahassee to Lobby State Legislators on Realtor® Issues By: Max Brandow, RASM Vice President of Advocacy and Member Programs
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his past month, several RASM members headed up to the State Capitol to advocate on behalf of Realtors® throughout Florida regarding our 2022 legislative agenda.
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES We met with numerous state lawmakers to discuss issues important to our members and our industry. Some of the issues discussed this session were the affordable housing initiative known as the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program. This new program would allow for down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible workers and educators, property insurance reforms, eliminating the business rent tax, increase water quality and environmental funding, protect homeowner’s ability to operate vacation rentals, and ensure condominium reform stemming from the tragic Surfside condominium collapse last June. To learn more about the Florida Hometown Hero Housing Fund, visit housingforheroesfl.com. Members were also able to hear from Governor DeSantis and his cabinet during a luncheon where he spoke on what the administration is doing to keep Florida’s economy moving forward, and make Florida one of the best states to live and do business in.1
BRADENTON PASSES VACATION RENTAL ORDINANCE Last month, Bradenton City Council passed new rules and regulations pertaining to vacation rentals. Homeowners that wish to operate vacation rentals will now have to apply for a certificate from the city and be subject to inspections and safety requirements. RASM advocated against the most burdensome provisions in the ordinance, some of which were removed but unfortunately, there are many portions of this ordinance that will make it tougher on homeowners operating vacation rentals. Although the final version of this ordinance is not ideal, this presents an opportunity for our members who specialize in property management to promote themselves as industry experts and educate the rest of us on the on many nuances of vacation rentals. Property managers will need to have a firm grasp on these changes in order to help their clients navigate the regulatory requirements with these new rules. RASM will be putting together an exhaustive list of municipal rules and regulations on vacation rentals for our members to use as a resource to better familiarize themselves with each different municipality’s rules. •
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Source: Florida REALTORS®
