Editor:
In summer 2015 my neighbours, who had moved to the mainland, began advertising their Coast home for short-term rentals sleeping up to 15 persons.
My home is 50 feet from the rental house, and while there have been many renters respectful of the neighbourhood, throughout the course of two years I have dealt with rowdy partying, drunken hooting and hollering, foul language, extremely loud music clearly heard in my home, a wedding reception which ran into the wee hours, and one noisy group that ignored the responding RCMP officer. Several months ago I moved permanently to my guest bedroom as it is often impossible to sleep in the master bedroom.
I have asked noisy groups to lower the volume, spoken with the owners, lodged noise complaints with the SCRD, met with a senior SCRD manager and spoken with a regional director. Nothing helped.
The SCRD has a noise bylaw but lacks the resources to either respond or ensure compliance. The only assistance I have found is calling the RCMP when there are very noisy renters; they respond as soon as they can and resolve the issue short term.
The SCRD is planning a future public consultation process on the question of allowing “legal” short-term rentals. I urge anyone living on the Sunshine Coast who has a neighbour house within 200 feet to reflect on my ongoing experience before making a submission. This issue could easily become your reality.
Tricia Smurthwaite, Halfmoon Bay
