Slowly but surely, vacation rentals are returning to Florida after Gov. Ron DeSantis loosened restrictions prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an executive order effective May 18, DeSantis allowed counties to seek state approval to resume vacation rentals. So far 50 of Florida’s 67 counties have been approved, according to the state.
“Just looking at some of the data, it looks like we’re probably around 40% occupancy in vacation rentals in the state of Florida today,” Denis Hanks, executive director of Florida Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) told the Florida Record. “It’s been trending up considerably over the last two weeks because slowly but surely, they’ve been opening up in different counties.”
Owners of vacation rental property were frustrated when they were forced to stop rentals while hotels were allowed to stay open, Hanks said.
On May 7, a group of Florida vacation property owners filed a federal lawsuit challenging DeSantis’ order prohibiting rentals, calling it constitutionally flawed by “vagueness and overbreadth, arbitrariness and discriminatory intent.”
Vacation rentals are among the safest lodging alternatives available, Hanks said.
“You can basically shelter in place just as you could in your home,” he said.
During the shutdown, the VRMA launched webinars on the best sterilization techniques for rental property. Some owners have even purchased sterilization equipment similar to the type used in hospitals, Hanks said.
“I think we’ve probably gone above and beyond in most cases to make sure we have the utmost in guest safety,” he added.
Under the new executive order by DeSantis, restaurants, gyms, retail stores, libraries, professional sports arenas, amusement parks and other businesses were also allowed to reopen at limited capacity.
Disney World near Orlando plans to start reopening July 11, the company announced this week, although certain events such as parades and fireworks may remain closed.