HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Some communities tightly restrict short-term rentals. But Hendersonville city leaders say they are having an especially tough time with two properties outside the authorized zone.
Back in October, a judge ordered the owner, former Tennessee state lawmaker Jeremy Durham, to stop renting out two properties he owns at 107 Breakwater North and 540 Indian Lake Road in Hendersonville. The city says those properties are outside the designated area for short-term rentals. But neighbors say the houses are still being rented out.
"It has not been resolved," said Mayor Jamie Clary. "We're going to continue to cite these houses as well as the other couple houses that are doing this illegally."
The mayor's office recently filed a petition in court saying Durham is continuing to rent the properties and should be held in contempt of court. Tap to read that order from Dec. 19 and Dec. 27.
Durham insisted there's been no official ruling in court against him. He says the judge never officially signed the order — so it's not valid.
Durham also filed a motion asking the judge to reconsider the permanent injunction, but so far, there's been no decision on that.
Both Durham and the city say they plan to keep fighting the case in court.
"Our city attorney and one of our staffers, this is the number one drain on their time because of this one individual, and we anticipated it would get better by now, but unfortunately it hasn't," Clary said.
Durham, a Williamson County resident who was expelled from the state legislature in 2016, told me he is not remotely concerned about the recent developments.
“We’ve been in front of the judge five or six times and he won’t sign any definitive order. If the judge would just do that, all parties could move on, “
Durham said on Wednesday.
"It's aggravating and frustrating," said Monica Charlton who lives next-door to the home on Breakwater North. "This street and neighborhood has been awesome, and now, it's just, we've got this ugly cloud that's just hanging over it."
If Durham is found in contempt, the penalty could be up to 10 days in jail and/or a $50 fine for each count. Durham potentially faces over 150 counts, which adds up quickly.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at hannah.mcdonald@newschannel5.com.
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