Rentals Bring In Undesirables

[Normal]

Rentals can bring in an unwanted neighbor. Be cautious before you buy. Make sure the homes near you aren’t rented out or this could happen.

Special unit serves warrant at problem villa in The Villages

A special investigations unit served a warrant at a problem villa in The Villages, resulting in two arrests.

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Squad and Criminal Investigations Division served the warrant early Tuesday morning at 1404 Azteca Loop in the Escandido Villas near Savannah Center. The warrant had been signed by Judge Mary Hatcher.…..

https://www.**************.com/2025/04/23/special-unit-serves-warrant-at-problem-villa-in-the-villages/

[asianthree]

Rentals can bring in an unwanted neighbor. Be cautious before you buy. Make sure the homes near you aren’t rented out or this could happen.

Special unit serves warrant at problem villa in The Villages

A special investigations unit served a warrant at a problem villa in The Villages, resulting in two arrests.

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Squad and Criminal Investigations Division served the warrant early Tuesday morning at 1404 Azteca Loop in the Escandido Villas near Savannah Center. The warrant had been signed by Judge Mary Hatcher.…..

https://www.**************.com/2025/04/23/special-unit-serves-warrant-at-problem-villa-in-the-villages/

Do you have a sure fire way to distinguish between rentals, snowbird, seasonal homes? Maybe you could enlighten those before they buy, as to how you acquire info

[CarlR33]

Your link did not work. What about after you buy…….?

[Taltarzac725]

It seems to be a crap shoot no matter where you move. The Villages though is safer than most places. We lived next to a home owned by a Criminal Defense lawyer in Palm Harbor, Florida. His tenants seemed to be his clients. Never a dull moment .

[justjim]

It seems to be a crap shoot no matter where you move. The Villages though is safer than most places. We lived next to a home owned by a Criminal Defense lawyer in Palm Harbor, Florida. His tenants seemed to be his clients. Never a dull moment .

You are spot on. Unfortunately, it appears that “little” can be done about the short term rentals.

[Bill14564]

You are spot on. Unfortunately, it appears that “little” can be done about the short term rentals.

Yeah, those 20 year old Spring Breakers are a real problem.

I don’t suppose it means anything that the words rental and owner did not appear in that article.

[vintageogauge]

You are spot on. Unfortunately, it appears that “little” can be done about the short term rentals.

You can buy a home on one of the streets that by deed restriction can not be a rental.

[Normal]

Your link did not work. What about after you buy…….?

Sure I can help. I wouldn’t want anyone to get stuck with the lemon of having a rental next door!

You can find out which houses are rentals in the area you are going to buy by asking neighbors through a leisurely evening walk. You can also do a quick Google search on addresses adjacent to your concerns and there is always the option of searching “Rent from a Villager.com” and Zillow. Diligence when paying a half million dollars for a property is always applicable.

[tophcfa]

You can buy a home on one of the streets that by deed restriction can not be a rental.

Bad idea if you are banking on that for protection, internal deed restrictions are rarely, if ever, enforced.

[tophcfa]

Rentals can bring in an unwanted neighbor. Be cautious before you buy. Make sure the homes near you aren’t rented out or this could happen.

The reality is that homes in the Villages turn over rapidly relative to most areas in the country, especially non retirement communities. A great neighbor today could become a rental property next month, you simply never know. In general, homeowners who don’t rent (both full time and part timers) are the best neighbors to have. Investor owned homes that are rented long term typically aren’t a problem, but they generally don’t take the same level of pride in the outside appearance of there properties. The real problem with rentals are typically the short term rentals, especially those that rent by the night or week, such as AirBnB’s and the like. We had one a couple houses away from us for a couple years and it was a neighborhood game changer, and not in a good way. Fortunately, the woman running the short term rental operation moved out and the neighborhood returned to a peaceful 55+ single family residential neighborhood. Unfortunately, you just never know, that could change tomorrow, and you can’t expect deed restrictions to protect you from that happening.

[gobuck827]

I don’t suppose it means anything that the words rental and owner did not appear in that article.

Never let a lack of facts stand in the way of a narrative, just run with it and hope no one notices.

[Papa_lecki]

You are spot on. Unfortunately, it appears that “little” can be done about the short term rentals.

I don’t think this was a short term renter. The guy who was also arrested has lived in the Villages since at least 2011, when he was previously arrested.

[CarlR33]

Diligence when paying a half million dollars for a property is always applicable. For a Villa? I don’t see an issue in the half mill and over homes but anything can happen.

[fdpaq0580]

[QUOTE=Normal;2426814]Rentals can bring in an unwanted neighbor. Be cautious before you buy. Make sure the homes near you aren’t rented out or this could happen.

Special unit serves warrant at problem villa in The Villages


Buy the home you want after talking with the neighbors.
Home owners can sell at any time, for any reason. New owners could be nice or nasty. Luck of the draw.
Renters/ snowbirds can be nice or nasty. And, you can have them for months. Good luck!
Short term rental. Neighbors can be nice or nasty, but they won't be around for long.
So, any way you look at it, its a crap shoot no matter where you choose to live.

Keep off my lawn! And that goes for your little dog, too! 🧙*♀️

[BillyGrown]

We don’t care for transient neighborhoods. That isn’t why we moved here for retirement. We spent a great deal of our retirement savings to move to Florida. Please, please , please no rentals.

[Kelevision]

Rentals can bring in an unwanted neighbor. Be cautious before you buy. Make sure the homes near you aren’t rented out or this could happen.

Special unit serves warrant at problem villa in The Villages

A special investigations unit served a warrant at a problem villa in The Villages, resulting in two arrests.

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Squad and Criminal Investigations Division served the warrant early Tuesday morning at 1404 Azteca Loop in the Escandido Villas near Savannah Center. The warrant had been signed by Judge Mary Hatcher.…..

https://www.**************.com/2025/04/23/special-unit-serves-warrant-at-problem-villa-in-the-villages/

Or, they can be just fine…… I know for a fact the house 2 doors down has been a rental for 3 years now. I’ve never once seen or heard a person there. I only know someone is there if there’s trash in the driveway on garbage day. As a matter of fact, I used to see the original owner way more, who always had guests over. I prefer the renters actually.

[La lamy]

Just went through hell with neighbour that was regularly bad tripping in the middle of the night. He got asked to leave by owner and he preceded to break a window and completely TRASH the place. He came banging on our doors and going into unlocked car trying to steal it no doubt. The sheriff came but couldn't arrest him until the owner pressed charges but he was in the hospital. Finally heard the evicted neighbor got arrested a few days ago with various charges including meth and fentanyl use and possession. SCARY crap. PLEASE VET YOUR RENTERS PEOPLE!!!! Just googling the guy shows a full page of criminal activity all in The Villages.

[msilagy]

Short term rentals may be better than a bad neighbor. There is no guarantee but being in a courtyard villa or patio villa that are so close may present issues.

[darkim]

I call 🐂💩on your post. Most people who come to The Villages are coming from money. Peak season rentals can bring $5–$6K per month. These are not hoodlums!

[phousel]

You can buy a home on one of the streets that by deed restriction can not be a rental.

Where (what village) has that in their deed restriction?

[golfing eagles]

I call 🐂💩on your post. Most people who come to The Villages are coming from money. Peak season rentals can bring $5–$6K per month. These are not hoodlums!

And what does a 2-day rental by some young "hoodlums" in an Airbnb split 6 ways cost?????

[VAtoFLA]

Yawn

There is crime and arrests every day by villagers. I wish to everything holy that the people 3 houses up with the yippy dog were renters, but sadly they are here for the long haul.

[LonnyP]

For every bad apple there are 100's of great renters.

[merrymini]

Restrictions can be put in place for short term rentals and have heard of that being done in other communities but, alas, I do not have specifics. Putting them in place is one thing, enforcing them is another.

[Bassdeer]

We just signed a lease for June 1st in the Village of Moultrie Creek. Will be moving there as soon as we sell our house in Texas. Landlord told us all the neighbors around us are cool, I'm guessing they are all on edge on who is moving in beside them. May play a joke on them and show up in the moving truck as homeless drugged out crackhead.

[Marmaduke]

We currently have the house next door For Sale. Like that box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get!

[Nell57]

We just signed a lease for June 1st in the Village of Moultrie Creek. Will be moving there as soon as we sell our house in Texas. Landlord told us all the neighbors around us are cool, I'm guessing they are all on edge on who is moving in beside them. May play a joke on them and show up in the moving truck as homeless drugged out crackhead.

First impressions matter…the crackhead look might not be the way to make friends.
The better move would be to invite the street over for a party.
The Village way is BYOB with an appetizer or dessert. If one couple shows up you’ll have two dishes. Perfect.
If 50 people show up you’ll have 25 dishes. After a few hours everyone heads on out…taking their dirty dishes home with them.
A foolproof party

[DarrenandKathy]

Get a crappy full time neighbour and you deal with them for years. Get the one bad Airbnb client out of every 20 rentals and you may have to put up with it for a few days.
Most short term renters are great interesting folks that just want to visit family or explore the Villages.
I know which one I would prefer.

[Marmaduke]

[QUOTE=Normal;2426814]Rentals can bring in an unwanted neighbor. Be cautious before you buy. Make sure the homes near you aren’t rented out or this could happen.

Special unit serves warrant at problem villa in The Villages


Buy the home you want after talking with the neighbors.
Home owners can sell at any time, for any reason. New owners could be nice or nasty. Luck of the draw.
Renters/ snowbirds can be nice or nasty. And, you can have them for months. Good luck!
Short term rental. Neighbors can be nice or nasty, but they won't be around for long.
So, any way you look at it, its a crap shoot no matter where you choose to live.

Keep off my lawn! And that goes for your little dog, too! 🧙*♀️
Exactly! From a former renters perspective, we always enjoyed our time in TV without disturbing the peace.

For example, we are a very dignified couple, who had a nice vehicle when we pulled into our past rentals, before retirement here.
We were trying TV 'on for size' and visited often as our vacations became plentiful pre-retirement.

Truly, some neighbors would literally sneer at us both upon arrival. We understood why.

Other Villages residents were indifferent.

Still other Villages were ghostly and you never saw a soul.

All the homes we rented were top notch too, not junky houses. Most had pools.
We often left them better than we found them, out of respect.

Morale of the story-
There are good renters, but they are still transient, therefore, they're the LAST thing we want next to us!

[Marmaduke]

Yawn

There is crime and arrests every day by villagers. I wish to everything holy that the people 3 houses up with the yippy dog were renters, but sadly they are here for the long haul.
You can call Animal Control, and register a complaint, so you know!
They'll come out and speak to the owners and may levy a fine or threat of a fine.

[GATORBILL66]

Rentals should be no shorter than 6 months, period!

[Bill14564]

Rentals should be no shorter than 6 months, period!

The State of Florida disagrees.

I disagree as well. Who are you to tell me what I can do with my property? I signed a set of deed restrictions and I am aware of the laws of the State and County - those are enough. If you would like to purchase it from me then you can make all the rules you want. I may agree to sell it to you but I will not agree to you taking it from me.

[RRGuyNJ]

When you cram this many people into a small area , your chances of having a bad neighbor as well as a good neighbor increases. Many bad neighbors can be owners. Many great neighbors can be renters. Unless you go door to door and "interview" all your potential neighbors, you will never know. Even then, will they portray their real personality?

[DrHitch]

You are spot on. Unfortunately, it appears that “little” can be done about the short term rentals.

I'm amazed that the deed restrictions can limit "lawn ornaments" and paint colors, yet no clause ever written to limit short term rentals?

I head a townhouse HOA up North, and leasing is limited to 12 months...I'm in favor of monthly snowbird rentals here, but not a fan of weekly IMHO....

[shut the front door]

Restrictions can be put in place for short term rentals and have heard of that being done in other communities but, alas, I do not have specifics. Putting them in place is one thing, enforcing them is another.

It's fairly easy to enforce. People have to advertise a rental one way or another. The city of Crystal River does a good job of enforcing theirs.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

You know what's even worse than bad rentals? Bad owner-residents. You can't evict them, their lease won't ever run out. You're stuck with them until one of you moves out, which could be years.

[Bay Kid]

I have a home that I rent during the top months only. I would never do short term rentals to my neighbors. Do unto others as you have them do unto you.

[dano121]

Other Communities use the fact that TVS allows "Short Term" rentals to market against TVS. If we could ever stop this a lot of bad would go away!

[DrMack]

For sure. The short term rental problem needs to be addressed. A lot can be done. They changed the STR rules in Clearwater. The county commissioners have to be willing to do this though.

[fdpaq0580]

Other Communities use the fact that TVS allows "Short Term" rentals to market against TVS. If we could ever stop this a lot of bad would go away!

"a lot of bad would go away!"
Maybe. Same could be said about a lot "kids" who move in with parents or grandparents who enable/tolerate bad behavior. That (imho) is worse than renters.

[dawnrizo]

Rentals can bring in an unwanted neighbor. Be cautious before you buy. Make sure the homes near you aren’t rented out or this could happen.

Special unit serves warrant at problem villa in The Villages

A special investigations unit served a warrant at a problem villa in The Villages, resulting in two arrests.

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Squad and Criminal Investigations Division served the warrant early Tuesday morning at 1404 Azteca Loop in the Escandido Villas near Savannah Center. The warrant had been signed by Judge Mary Hatcher.…..

https://www.**************.com/2025/04/23/special-unit-serves-warrant-at-problem-villa-in-the-villages/
We have a rental property in our area, and the only people that have rented there appear to be very friendly and decent looking. Could you please describe these undesirable people so that we can avoid them? Thank you

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The Holding Company of the Villages, LLC, will never forbid rentals - short or long term. They have an entire division dedicated to rentals - short and long term. They own a property management company just for the purpose, and of course those lifestyle visits are, by definition, short-term rentals.

I've said it before and I haven't seen anything to change my mind yet - I'm fine with rentals, as long as the owner goes through a property management service to handle them. AirBnB and rent by owner is the problem, not the fact that tenants exist.

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

I'm amazed that the deed restrictions can limit "lawn ornaments" and paint colors, yet no clause ever written to limit short term rentals?

I head a townhouse HOA up North, and leasing is limited to 12 months...I'm in favor of monthly snowbird rentals here, but not a fan of weekly IMHO....

What’s the difference?

[VAtoFLA]

You can call Animal Control, and register a complaint, so you know!
They'll come out and speak to the owners and may levy a fine or threat of a fine.

I would only do that as a last resort. It's at the annoyance level, not the disruption of life level.

[DarrenandKathy]

I’m sure if the developers wanted a restriction in place they could have easily put one in.
The developer wants to sell units. The more people that are exposed to the Villages and come spend their money here the more money in their pockets.
The business model that they work off would make it counter productive to limit the amount of visitors in any way.
The Village’s model would collapse if people stopped coming and we would lose most of our amenities.