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KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) City officials are seeking community feedback on short-term rentals as part of a new FlashVote survey that asks residents about their experiences with vacation rental properties and how they believe those properties affect neighborhoods and the local economy.
The survey, which closes Wednesday, May 20, is available through the city’s ongoing partnership with FlashVote, an online civic engagement platform designed to quickly gather public input on local issues.
Short-term rentals, often listed through platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO, are defined in the survey as homes rented to visitors for stays ranging from one to 30 days.
Residents are being asked whether they know of or suspect short-term rental properties in their neighborhoods, with response options ranging from knowing there are none nearby to personally operating a short-term rental property. Participants can also indicate if they are unsure.
The questionnaire explores neighborhood conditions residents may have observed during the past year. Among the issues included are excessive dog barking, late-night noise from gatherings or parties, uncomfortable interactions with renters, overflowing trash containers, vehicles blocking roads or access points, outdoor lights left on overnight and trash accumulating in yards. Respondents may also indicate they have not experienced any of those concerns.
In addition to possible impacts, the survey asks residents to identify what they consider the most important benefits of short-term rentals. Options include providing lodging for larger families and pet owners, offering less expensive accommodations for visitors, helping homeowners afford property ownership, supporting local businesses through tourism spending, improving property maintenance and spreading tourism activity throughout the community.
The city introduced FlashVote in 2023 as a way to broaden participation in local decision-making. At the time, Deputy City Manager Rebecca Landry said the platform offers a scientific and inclusive method of community engagement, particularly for residents who may not be able to attend public meetings or participate in traditional public forums.
FlashVote uses professionally designed surveys and seeks responses from representative samples of residents to provide local governments with timely data on community opinions. City officials use the information to help guide decisions and better understand public sentiment on a variety of local issues.
Residents registered with FlashVote can complete the survey online, while those interested in joining the program can sign up through the city’s website and receive future surveys by email, text message or phone.
Sign up here: FlashVote | For Governments – The scientific way to survey and engage communities