Stop Illegal Short-Term Rentals and Mismanagement at Midblock Condominium in Midtown Miami

We are concerned residents and neighbors of the Midblock Condominium in Midtown Miami, are calling for urgent action against the ongoing violations by the board of the condominium association and its management company, FirstService Residential.

Over 75% of the units in Midblock are listed on short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo, Apartments.com, and Expedia, effectively turning this residential building into an unlicensed hotel. This rampant subleasing is illegal under Miami and Florida regulations, and it directly impacts the safety, well-being, and quality of life of permanent residents and the surrounding community.

The situation has spiraled out of control:

Increased criminal activity in and around the building

A constant flow of unknown individuals arriving every week, especially from Thursdays through weekends

Public intoxication, strong marijuana odors, and frequent disturbances from guests unfamiliar with or indifferent to community norms

Residents, including myself, can no longer walk safely with our children or pets in the area

Property values in the neighborhood are dropping due to the building's reputation as a de facto hotel, discouraging potential buyers and long-term residents

In addition to the negative impact on safety and quality of life, this activity violates multiple laws and regulations:

Miami Zoning Code (Article 28): This regulation states that residential properties cannot be used for commercial purposes or as hotels without proper licensing. Short-term rentals are illegal in residential zones unless authorized by the city.

Florida Statute 509.032: Requires any property used for short-term rentals (e.g., via Airbnb or Vrbo) to have a tourist license and meet safety and health inspection requirements.

Florida Condominium Act (Chapter 718): Condominiums are empowered to regulate and prohibit short-term rentals within their communities. The board of Midblock has failed to enforce this, allowing illegal activity to flourish.

Florida Statute 212.03: Imposes sales tax and transient rental tax on short-term rentals. Properties used for short-term leasing must comply with these tax regulations, but there’s no evidence that the management is adhering to them.

Florida Statute 501.204: Protects consumers against deceptive and unfair business practices. Charging unauthorized fees to short-term guests, such as the registration fee charged at Midblock, constitutes a fraudulent practice under this statute.

Despite clear signs of illegal activity, the building's board and FirstService Residential continue to turn a blind eye or worse, actively profit from it. Public listings and tenant comments confirm that management is charging a registration fee for short-term guests, similar to hotel check-ins. This is not only unethical but illegal.

We hold the Midblock Condominium Board and FirstService Residential accountable for allowing these violations to persist over time. These are not isolated incidents; they represent systemic abuse of residential zoning laws and community trust.

The time has come for residents to say:
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

We demand:

Immediate enforcement of residential zoning laws

A full audit and investigation into the funds collected from short-term guests

Accountability for the board members and the management company involved

Legal action from the City of Miami and the State of Florida against all parties violating the law

At the end of this petition, we include a public link to one of the short-term rental listings, where owners and tenants openly admit to paying fees to building management for these illegal rentals.

Sign this petition to protect our community, preserve property values, and hold those responsible accountable.

Useful Links:

PLEASE READ: Additional rules:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/31190605?check_in=2025-09-23&check_out=2025-09-27&guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=53107075-268d-4d43-9160-50f2aca8b315

CBS News Miami:

https://youtu.be/DBqqJgMpO70?si=xZ5-0H8zPBNMUA10

Check the public REVIEWS on Google Maps: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xatLiCcvBbiGTjCa8

Social Media:

https://x.com/AndreaMiamiMC/status/1957775312013373446