QUINCY − The city has filed a contempt complaint against Ronen Zangi, the owner of a house at 153 Bayside Road in Squantum, saying he has defied a judge’s July 6 preliminary injunction ordering him to stop short-term rentals of his property immediately.
A hearing has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Sept. 27 before Dedham Superior Court Judge Mark Hallal.
Quincy says Zangi is renting out his property using short-term rental websites such as Airbnb and VRBO in violation of the city’s zoning ordinance. The zoning, which was passed by the city council in March 2021, forbids rentals lasting 30 days or less in residential neighborhoods.
The city Department of Inspectional Services says it has received complaints from neighbors about short-term rentals at the property since July 2021. One neighbor, Theresa Repoff, said her husband died of a heart attack after confronting noisy partiers who were shooting off fireworks into the neighborhood one night over Labor Day weekend in 2022.
In August, Zangi countersued the city, claiming city officials and neighbors have targeted him because of his Israeli heritage.
The city’s contempt complaint is based on advertisements posted to short-term rental websites Airbnb, VRBO and Flipkey, as well as information provided by neighbors.
The document includes two separate advertisements the city says were posted to Airbnb and VRBO on Aug. 30. Airbnb advertised the property as available for a minimum seven-night stay for $977 a night. The VRBO listing advertised a seven-night stay at $1,399 a night. It includes a review by “John F” that gives a 5-out-of-5 rating after a nine-night stay in August, according to the complaint.
A calendar on the Flipkey website indicates that the property was booked between Sept. 1 and Sept. 8 and was also unavailable between Sept. 11 and Sept. 15, the filing says.
Quincy says neighbors continue to complain about quality-of-life issues caused by short-term rentals at the property.
“The short-term renters at 153 Bayside Road have been seen arriving in limousines or in vehicles that park throughout the neighborhood,” the complaint reads.
Citing neighbors’ complaints, Quincy’s complaint says the area has suffered from trash, litter and noise at late hours. One neighbor who shares a driveway with 153 Bayside Road said a guest’s vehicle prevented him from parking his car.
Quincy’s complaint for contempt is supported by an affidavit written by Michael Webber, the legal processer for the Quincy Department of Inspectional Services. Webber writes that his job is to monitor short-term rentals and violations of related state laws and city ordinances.
Webber wrote that he uses software called Granicus that collects information from social media, real estate websites and platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO and Flipkey. Appended to his affidavit are screenshots that appear to show advertisements and reviews of the property in August, a month after Hallal issued the preliminary injunction.
The affidavit also includes pictures reportedly taken by neighbors of traffic issues on Orchard Street and Bayside Road. The property is at the intersection of those two streets.
Quincy City Solicitor Jim Timmins told The Patriot Ledger that the city will present its evidence at the Sept. 27 hearing.
“If the judge concludes that a violation has occurred, there will be a punitive amount assessed,” Timmins said.
Zangi’s lawyers have not responded to requests for comment.
Quincy is also seeking a preliminary injunction against short-term rentals at a High Street property. Hallal heard arguments from the city and the homeowner in early August, but has yet to issue a ruling on the city’s request.
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Reach Peter Blandino at pblandino@patriotledger.com.
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