GARM History
In 2004, West Galveston real estate and vacation rental companies formed the Galveston Association of Vacation Rental Managers – GARM.
Working with several West End property owners associations and community leaders, GARM developed a plan which addressed the most common complaints about vacation rentals – excessive noise, excessive occupancy, parking problems and trash violations.
The plan consists of a “good neighbor” approach to managing vacation rentals: common guest documentation forms, guest education, and a year-round security patrol service.
GARM Members:
- Use a common Registration Form which includes the names and ages of all guests and vehicle information.
- Use a common Guest Agreement which outlines local, state, and subdivision rules; it’s a part of each contract and is reviewed and signed when the guest books a reservation.
- Oversee a professional, uniformed security service which patrols GARM’s West End vacation properties.
- Distribute a list of all guests and rented properties to the security service each week.
GARM’s security company, GulfWest Patrol Detail, provides:
- Off-duty, uniformed law enforcement officers on call 365 days/year, 7 days/week, 18 hours/day (noon – 6:00 a.m.).
- Over 112 hours of weekend patrols each month.
- Additional patrols during peak summer weeks, major holidays and “event” weekends such as Lone Star Rally, prom and spring break.
- Random weeknight patrols, including physical inspection of houses.
- One telephone number, manned every day from noon – 6:00 a.m.. Neighbors can call if there’s a problem at a GARM property: 409-682-3603.
GARM is responsible for managing and coordinating its security service, publicizing GARM practices, interacting with GulfWest Patrol when situations arise with guests or property owners/associations and working with the City officials on issues relating to vacation rentals.
GARM is proud to provide a West End security team, contributing additional police presence for the community. GARM is also proud that its officers understand the nature of vacation rentals and the importance of maintaining strong guest relations and equally strong community relations.
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to predict or control everything that happens in a vacation rental property. Unpredictability is what causes neighbors to object to vacation rental guests. GARM is committed to providing a quality experience for island guests and for the neighboring communities.
GARM maintains memberships in local organizations, including:
- Galveston Association of Realtors (GAR)
- West Galveston Island Property Owners Assocation (WGIPOA)
- Galveston Chamber of Commerce
- Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF)