My property is subject to HOA rules that prohibit short term stays. Can I just have guests say they are my friends to anyone that asks?
NO, NO, NO. You cannot ask guests to lie, sneak around or do anything not considered customary with a vacation rental just to avoid your HOA or governing body. If you are worried about your HOA finding out that you are using your property as a vacation rental, then you should reconsider using the unit as such. We will not tolerate any guests being asked to do something subversive or being inconvenienced in any way as a result of an owner trying to avoid dealing with their HOA.