Risks involving renting an illegal short term furnished rental in Miami

Illegal rentals of vacation homes and furnished apartments in Miami are a major problem for the city. To help crack down on illegal Miami Beach lodging, code enforcement officers conduct widespread patrols, looking for signs of renters in places that do not have licenses. Plagued by the nuisance of tourists, neighbors of illegal furnished apartments in Miami often provide tips to these officers, leading to quick discoveries of unlicensed accommodations. Once an owner is caught engaging in illegal rentals, the code enforcement officers continuously watch his properties for signs of a resumption of his rental activities, such as new cars appearing on the premises.

Vacation homes, apartments and other unlicensed Miami Beach lodging facilities pose a number of risks to you as a traveler. Often, these apartments have serious health and safety issues because they are not regularly inspected by government agencies. Some of the potentially dangerous features common in illegal extended stay facilities include:

• Structural damage that could result in roof collapses or other dangerous situations
• Poorly maintained elevators
• Bedbugs and other harmful pests and parasites
• Improper waste disposal and sanitation standards, which can lead to the spread of disease and illness
• Lack of the fire evacuation routes, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and smoke detectors that can save lives in emergencies
• Unsafe conditions for disabled guests or a lack of accommodations for them

 

Should you decide to take a chance and reserve space at an illegal extended stay facility, you could run into additional problems even if the home or unit is safe and clean. Since code enforcement officers are always looking for renters in illegal facilities, you could be discovered at any time during your trip. If this happens, the officers will require you to leave the premises immediately. You will need to find a new place to stay while in Miami and try to negotiate with the owner for a full or partial refund. Unfortunately, these negotiations often end up in costly legal battles or the owners simply deciding to let the matter drop and suffer the financial loss.

No prospective Miami vacation deal is worth risking your health or safety or exposing yourself to financial loss and embarrassment. Resist the temptation to take advantage of an incredible price and avoid illegal rentals to make sure you have the best Miami vacation possible.