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Kennett Square Residents Voice Concerns Over Property Management Regulations

Overview of the Issue

KENNETT SQUARE — During a recent council meeting, concerned residents articulated their opposition to proposed changes that would enable more distant private companies to take control of rental properties in the borough. As it stands, property management requires personnel to reside within a five-mile radius of Kennett Square, a standard that is now under scrutiny.

The borough council convened on January 5—the first meeting of the New Year—to see if amendments should be made to this local mandate, permitting property managers to be located farther from the community.

Proposal from J Squared Assets

Request for Waiver

The local government received a noteworthy letter from Jeffrey Stefankiewicz and Josephine Beker of J Squared Assets, located in Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County. They recently acquired a property at 215 E. Linden St. and proposed managing this as well as another short-term rental at 214 Center St., which used to be a family home. The couple sought a waiver to extend the distance requirement beyond the current five-mile limit.

In their correspondence, they expressed that “we planned on managing the property ourselves and have been utilizing local vendors for landscaping, general maintenance of the property, and cleaning.”

Council’s Response

Despite their request, the Kennett Borough Council chose to delay formal consideration of the waiver and declined to advance any recommended actions on the matter. Public sentiment was largely against relaxing the current rules, with many residents opting to speak out during the meeting.

Concerns Surrounding Short-term Rentals

Broader Issues

Several residents raised alarms about other related changes, specifically concerning Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on residential properties. Council President Bob Norris stressed that there are many “unanswered questions” relating to both short-term rentals and ADUs.

Given the complexities of the issue, the borough officials referred the waiver request for the two properties to the Kennett Square Planning Commission. They sought opinions on whether ordinances governing short-term rentals should be revised for longer-term solutions.

Community Sentiment

Mayor Matt Fetick noted the difficulty in finding consensus on the location of property managers. He suggested possibly allowing temporary waivers while awaiting further recommendations from the commission. “It’s not just about short-term rentals; it’s about all rentals,” he said, emphasizing the broader implications of the discussion.

Joel Sprick, the council’s vice president, echoed the sentiment, stating, “This is a much bigger issue,” given that 1,300 rental properties exist in the borough, as reported by Lexi Gambs, the code enforcement officer. She noted that twelve of these properties already have management teams living beyond the five-mile restriction.

Calls for Oversight and Audits

Council member Elea McDonnell Feit took the initiative to request an audit of 200 rental properties to ascertain the average number of compliance violations regarding the existing local property manager rule. She also urged the planning commission to consider making property managers accessible to neighbors in addition to those living at the properties.

Despite tabling the motion, Norris recognized the pressing need to tackle these matters.

Resident Perspectives

Opposition to Short-term Rentals

Local resident Leah Leon expressed her discontent regarding short-term rentals, emphasizing the need to preserve the integrity of neighborhoods and prevent commercial overreach. “I’m a local renter, and I believe that anyone in a similar position could serve as the local agent because they reside in the borough,” she noted, criticizing the notion that the setup is merely a short-term rental issue.

Carla Watson, another long-time resident, affirmed that having a local property manager helps "protect the community." She highlighted that existing laws regarding rentals had been disregarded, with newer short-term rentals, including Airbnbs, posing threats to the stability of permanent housing options.

Michael Bertrando, a newly appointed council member, pressed the importance of local property management, stating that community engagement and investment are vital. He warned, "We’re losing our community to these short-term rentals and our affordable housing as well."

Financial Concerns in the Community

Resident Patrick Mckenna, addressing the council, pointed out that permits for converting single-family homes into Airbnb rentals were issued starting in August 2025, which he believes goes against the intended use of residential properties. He added his voice to the opposition, saying, “Short-term rentals drive up rental costs.”

Jackie Mckenna reiterated the challenge of affordable housing, emphasizing that the current landscape of short-term rentals largely consists of former single-family homes in moderate-income regions. “How can we claim to strive for housing equity while converting our most affordable homes into tourist escapes?” she questioned.

The Impact of AI legalese decoder

Residents facing these complex regulatory discussions may find it increasingly beneficial to utilize AI legalese decoder. This innovative tool helps individuals comprehend and navigate convoluted legal documents and regulations, providing clarity on intricate issues like rental property management laws. By breaking down legal jargon into more digestible language, the AI legalese decoder can empower residents to engage in these community dialogues more effectively.

Understanding the legal implications will not only enhance their voice during council meetings but also better inform their decisions regarding rentals and property management in Kennett Square. It is crucial for community members to be equipped with the knowledge necessary to advocate for their interests as discussions around these pressing issues continue.

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