A fight is brewing at the state Capitol over whether the Legislature should preempt local rules on expensive rental properties.
Local governments and neighbors say short-term vacation rentals are changing the character of neighborhoods. The battle is getting particularly fierce in Great Lakes shoreline communities where rental properties can go for thousands of dollars a week.
Lucy Welch lives in Spring Lake on the Lake Michigan shoreline. She says neighbors recently started renting out their home to vacationers.
"It’s like a fraternity party at night and during the day, it’s like living next to a resort,” Welch said.
Landlords and rental agencies say local governments should not be able to tell homeowners what to do with their property. A hearing on the bills is expected later this month.
