News of Key West’s first illegal rental arrest met with enthusiasm from residents vehemently concerned about visitors, who are not permitted in the Florida Keys, continuing to rent illegal units in the island chain.
In its press release about Michael McMahon’s arrest for violating the governor’s order, city spokeswoman Alyson Crean states, “McMahon is a repeat offender who owes the city about $1.2 million in fines.”
The statement immediately prompted dozens of questions from readers and social media users, and prompted Keys Weekly to request an explanation of the huge fine accrual.
Crean said the fines have been accruing on the three properties owned by McMahon, who has been repeatedly cited for renting his properties for fewer than 28 days without the required transient rental license.
“Those fines have been converted to a lien on his properties,” Crean told The Weekly Tuesday afternoon. “So those liens will have to be settled before the owner can sell the properties, and I’d imagine the amount would discourage potential buyers.”
Crean added, “The only way for the city to collect those fines would be for the city of Key West to actually acquire the property. That would require a voter referendum, which is needed any time the city wants to sell or acquire property.”
Often, property owners will negotiate a settlement with the city and will pay a percentage of the lien to settle it, Crean said.
