New Jersey is giving local and county governments new powers to restrict short-term rentals as part of the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.

 

Many beach towns have already put restrictions in on their own, banning and stopping short-term rentals for the time being.  In Manasquan, the ban goes until at least May 15. As of now, most towns have also closed all beaches and boardwalks and parks, discouraging others from out of the area to come to the beach communities. 

During Saturday's press conference. Gov. Phil Murphy authorized the state's Emergency Management Director, Col. Pat Callahan, to put in place the order to let counties and towns restrict those rentals -- hotels, motels, guest homes, and private properties.

 

Gov. Murphy says shore communities are reporting people trying to temporarily relocate there from areas hard-hit by the coronavirus spread, but those areas lack the health care infrastructure that requires.

Realtors must now scramble to help tenants and would-be renters during these uncertain times, especially looking ahead to what will hopefully be a busy summer season. 

"We have allowed tenants to suspend their payments for now because most of these rentals are for July or August," says James Ward, with Keller Williams Realty. "Just to help people out of work or financial hardship, we have delayed rental payments typically due this time of year to closer when they actually come to their rental.”

Manasquan Mayor Ed Donovan says he hopes they can be up and running by summer, but it's up to the state to decide when to sound the all-clear.