PUTNAM COUNTY, Ga. — People in Putnam County are upset over short term rentals - and short term renters.
There are over 325 rentals in the county. Some of these rentals have renters who are leaving trash or parking cars in neighbors' driveways.
Lake Sinclair is a popular destination for these short-term renters. destination where more people are going. On Shelton Drive - right next to Lake Sinclair - neighbors are upset with a residence that is not following the ordinances.
Jerry Hand lives on Shelton Drive, and has seen the short-term renter problem firsthand. His neighbor lives in Florida, and is never at the house on Shelton Drive.
"I met the woman when they first bought the property from Florida and of course they said, 'Oh we are looking forward to moving up here and our kids really want a lake house,'" Hand said. "Of course that is not what really happens. The family does not move up here."
Hand said the family never stays on Lake Sinclair, and always has random people moving in and out of the house. Hand said these renters do not comply and leave trash overflowing.
The Sheriff's Office has received calls about residences on Shelton Drive. Sheriff Howard Sills is in charge of policing the short term rentals when a call is placed. He says he's gotten nine calls from people in the community complaining about renters.
"We've had nine complaints and we've only issued citations in e two of those incidences where people were ticketed for those ordinances," Sills says.
Sills said he cares about keeping his people safe and will enforce ordinances. He said he sees the benefit of having short term rental but wishes people would keep the peace.
"If you're gonna disturb the peace, you're gonna park in someone's yard - then we will give you a different kind of Airbnb here at Sheriff Sills' jail," he said.