Policies for Rental Properties in the Stilwater Community

Background: 

The increasing frequency of owners renting Stilwater properties directly through Internet services, such as Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO, leaves the association without an obvious point of contact for the resolution of rental problems and enforcement of the Stilwater Covenants, Rules and Regulations such as those regarding noise, trash, trailer parking, etc. 

When an owner rents out a Stilwater property, the association has no authority to levy fines or enforce rules on tenants. The association’s relationship exists solely with the property owner who is bound by the Stilwater Covenants and By-laws and is personally responsible for the behavior of his/her guests and tenants. 

Further, while the Covenants give the Stilwater Board authority to make rules to assure peaceful and orderly use of the property and common areas, paragraph 8.10 requires any such rules to apply “equally to all similarly situated Lots and Members.” Accordingly, the Board has formulated the following Rental Policies, to apply equally to all properties made available by their owners for rent in the Stilwater community.

Policy:

The most-current version of the Stilwater Rules and Regulations will be posted prominently in every rental home.  As the Stilwater property manager, Tripco will enforce these rules. Tripco will respond to complaints from neighbors and other owners.

A Garrett County TVRU permit must be on file and TVRU rules must be followed.

A. https://www.garrettcounty.org/planning-land-development/transient-vacation-rental-units

B. https://www.garrettcounty.org/resources/planning-land-development/pdf/TVRU/TVRU%20FAQ2%20web.pdf

The property owner will complete the Rental Property Notification and furnish contact information including working phone numbers to Tripco, Inc., the Stilwater property manager. The owner or their designated agent must be available by phone 24 hours a day when the house is rented.

In case of a rules violation, Tripco’s first call will be to the designated agent at the number furnished. If Tripco is unable to contact the designated agent, the next call will be to the property owner who will be responsible for mitigating the problem. There will be a fine of $50.00 per day for each day Tripco is unable to contact the agent or owner in addition to fines set by the Board for specific rule violations. 

In cases of county ordinance violations or dangerous situations, the Garrett County police will be called first, then the agent and the property owner. In any instance where Tripco finds it necessary to contact the police to resolve a situation in a rental home, a fine of $50 will be assessed on the owner in addition to fines set by the Board for specific rule violations.

As property manager, Tripco will maintain records of the disposition of all rental property complaints, and report these events to the county TVRU office and the Stilwater POA Board. Fines will be reported to Boal and Associates, the Stilwater accounting firm.

The person renting the property must be 24 years of age or older. ID’s may be checked.

Family Groups Only: The occupancy of all rental properties is limited to guests and their family groups only. No sororities, fraternities, groups of unrelated individuals, or non-chaperoned groups allowed. The Stilwater POA encourages renting to multigenerational family groups, or families with children.

“Over occupancy” events are not allowed in Stilwater rental properties. This includes weddings and other large parties. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, outdoor entertainment, porta-potties, and tents.