Abandoned Home

[edgenaholland@gmail.com]

How do we get someone to help with a home abandoned for a year? Power is cut off and the refrigerator was still in use. The house is a hoarders dream. It got so bad some neighbors and lawn guy started taking care of weeds and lawn. Community Standards have not helped. They said they would tell the developer, but we have heard nothing. Realtors could not help since the house is paid for.
With all the rules and costs we cope with you would think The Villages would have a way to prevent neighborhood from deteriorating with these homes. Any suggestions on what we can do?

[UsuallyLurking]

If Community Standards response was literally "we will tell the developer," they are not doing their job. Your next step is to contact one or more of your district supervisors and tell them the full story.

[Normal]

How do we get someone to help with a home abandoned for a year? Power is cut off and the refrigerator was still in use. The house is a hoarders dream. It got so bad some neighbors and lawn guy started taking care of weeds and lawn. Community Standards have not helped. They said they would tell the developer, but we have heard nothing. Realtors could not help since the house is paid for.
With all the rules and costs we cope with you would think The Villages would have a way to prevent neighborhood from deteriorating with these homes. Any suggestions on what we can do?


With 75,000 homes involved, you need to include an address or at the very least the neighborhood or Village.

[edgenaholland@gmail.com]

house is in Briar Meadow

[edgenaholland@gmail.com]

We gave detailed info to our district supervisor yesterday.

[Normal]

We gave detailed info to our district supervisor yesterday.

That’s probably the best that can be done. Unfortunately, sometimes these things take some time due to bureaucratic channels.

The cause could be many things:
Snowbirds on an extended stay
Snowbird passes away while out of state
Probate
Reverse mortgage closure
Nursing Home…

[CarlR33]

Probably getting the Sunny paper still? It’s a hard decision to make to start taking care of others property cause at the end of the day it’s not your property. Be careful.

[Bill14564]

Probably getting the Sunny paper still? It’s a hard decision to make to start taking care of others property cause at the end of the day it’s not your property. Be careful.

Another thought along these lines: If the property is being maintained then what violation can you report to Community Standards?

Community Standards and the CDD can move to enforce external deed restrictions - basically the appearance of the property. If the grass is uncut or weeds are growing or the shrubs are too high or there is mold on the home then they can get involved. If the neighbors have rallied to cut the grass and pull the weeds then that doesn't leave much for Community Standards or the CDD to get involved with.

It puts the neighborhood in a bad situation with possibly no good solution: provide free maintenance for the foreseeable future or live with an unsightly property.

The Developer can (though some would say they seldom do) move to enforce internal deed restrictions but are any internal deed restrictions being violated? Having a home sit empty is not a violation. Having no power (or shutting off the breakers) is not a violation. Even if the Developer had the desire to act, he would first need something to act on.

[Normal]

Another thought along these lines: If the property is being maintained then what violation can you report to Community Standards?

Community Standards and the CDD can move to enforce external deed restrictions - basically the appearance of the property. If the grass is uncut or weeds are growing or the shrubs are too high or there is mold on the home then they can get involved. If the neighbors have rallied to cut the grass and pull the weeds then that doesn't leave much for Community Standards or the CDD to get involved with.

It puts the neighborhood in a bad situation with possibly no good solution: provide free maintenance for the foreseeable future or live with an unsightly property.

The Developer can (though some would say they seldom do) move to enforce internal deed restrictions but are any internal deed restrictions being violated? Having a home sit empty is not a violation. Having no power (or shutting off the breakers) is not a violation. Even if the Developer had the desire to act, he would first need something to act on.

Agreed. No electric would mean no irrigation, but we are in the rainy season. Darned if you do, darned if you don’t.

[edgenaholland@gmail.com]

Th wife is dead and he had very serious health issues and was taken to an assisted living in an unknown place yea many months ago. Likely dead.

[TommyT]

BE VERY CAREFUL about broadcasting the address... squatters

[Bogie Shooter]

With 75,000 homes involved, you need to include an address or at the very least the neighborhood or Village.

Why?

[retiredguy123]

Such incompetence. The Villages should be able to respond to this type of situation immediately upon notification. Abandoned and neglected houses occur all the time in The Villages. And, abandoned vehicles too.

[Normal]

Why?

The post above yours is valid. The subject should be dropped. Not all people are nice and can be trusted. The older sections do have the more aged demographics etc. that bring on the problem the OP broadcast. Most of us have seen similar situations of certain areas in news articles.

[asianthree]

Th wife is dead and he had very serious health issues and was taken to an assisted living in an unknown place yea many months ago. Likely dead.

Or not deceased, money going directly to facilities. My aunt was in memory care for 3 years. Home in TV was empty, however still kept up by local family. The will in place nothing could be sold until death.

This home may be in probate, zero family, or in some cases family no longer allowed information.

[vintageogauge]

Isn't Briar Meadows in the snow belt?

[mraines]

Probably getting the Sunny paper still? It’s a hard decision to make to start taking care of others property cause at the end of the day it’s not your property. Be careful.
I have been told in the past that it is trespassing and if you are maintaining it, there is no violation.

[Taltarzac725]

Or not deceased, money going directly to facilities. My aunt was in memory care for 3 years. Home in TV was empty, however still kept up by local family. The will in place nothing could be sold until death.

This home may be in probate, zero family, or in some cases family no longer allowed information.

Good input. The Villages Watch workers probably have noticed the house. And then they came to the conclusion that nothing could be done legally.

[Pugchief]

If the county real estate taxes don't get paid, doesn't the county put the property up for auction?

[asianthree]

If the county real estate taxes don't get paid, doesn't the county put the property up for auction?

After x amount of non paid taxes. Notices to Home. Multiple public announcements. Only then can and will the county take action selling property. No idea what Sumter legal procedure is but in some counties it can take multiple months and sometimes more than a year

[Topspinmo]

A gentleman in my area brought house and 6 months later had medical episode died, no will? and Va loan, family members abandoned it probably due to more loan debt than it worth? House been setting over 2 years no power. I suspect it will be setting another 2 plus years. What I don’t understand how 80 plus gets I’m guessing ? 100% VA loan? If so that’s good news for me….. if I need loan at 90?……:shocked:

[Bogie Shooter]

Good input. The Villages Watch workers probably have noticed the house. And then they came to the conclusion that nothing could be done legally.

That’s not in their job description.

[BillyGrown]

BE VERY CAREFUL about broadcasting the address... squatters

They are a problem here and sometimes it takes a while to evict them legally. I recall a post where three homeless persons had taken over a Villager’s home in Lady Lake?

[asianthree]

A gentleman in my area brought house and 6 months later had medical episode died, no will? and Va loan, family members abandoned it probably due to more loan debt than it worth? House been setting over 2 years no power. I suspect it will be setting another 2 plus years. What I don’t understand how 80 plus gets I’m guessing ? 100% VA loan? If so that’s good news for me….. if I need loan at 90?……:shocked:

So I’m guessing you’ve done some in-depth information on this home to know that there’s a VA loan and amount to be settled.

VA loan is guaranteed either Veteran or widower, as long as there is income. 80% is a rarity especially older age. 30 to 50% as a reality.

My dad was a contractor and rough carpenter, Homes for sale by the county for only taxes is bottom of the barrel.
Every home has to be completely gutted, no power for years. Take to studs, sheet rock mud (my job). Then sell for someone to finish. Quick turnaround and cash deal, usually another contractor.

If home hold mortgages, it’s bank owned, taxes their responsibility, sold as foreclosure.

[Taltarzac725]

That’s not in their job description.

"They" being whomever the Villages Watch people report to about homes with long periods of uncut grass and weeds.

[Michael G.]

BE VERY CAREFUL about broadcasting the address... squatters

If squatters took over, then the developers would have someone to go after
and get the place clean up. :shocked: I know right? strange world we live in.

[Berwin]

We have two homes like this in our neighborhood. In both cases, the surviving spouse had to go into assisted living and it took years to go through the legal hoops to get these houses sold. Both have now been cleaned up and put up on the market.

[mellotts]

I was told that Florida recently passed a squatters law. Property owner can go the the Sheriff and prove they own the property, fill out some paperwork, and the squatters will be removed by law enforcement.

[Dkintzer]

How do we get someone to help with a home abandoned for a year? Power is cut off and the refrigerator was still in use. The house is a hoarders dream. It got so bad some neighbors and lawn guy started taking care of weeds and lawn. Community Standards have not helped. They said they would tell the developer, but we have heard nothing. Realtors could not help since the house is paid for.
With all the rules and costs we cope with you would think The Villages would have a way to prevent neighborhood from deteriorating with these homes. Any suggestions on what we can do?

There are at least 3 of those homes in Polo Ridge, 1 has been vacant for about 4+ years & has an outdoor garage light hanging by a wire…after reading about lightening strikes, maybe that’s the only way these homes will be taken care of…or not.🤷🏼*♀️

[Normal]

We have two homes like this in our neighborhood. In both cases, the surviving spouse had to go into assisted living and it took years to go through the legal hoops to get these houses sold. Both have now been cleaned up and put up on the market.

“Both have now been cleaned up and put back on the market.” Selling the home in the current real estate climate is yet another mountain to climb. What’s the average time now, 60-70 days? Many just drop off the MLS due to time lapse of contract and no buyers.

[Cliff Fr]

Try contacting the health department. Rats, mold and other pests may be running rampant.

[Slainte]

How do we get someone to help with a home abandoned for a year? Power is cut off and the refrigerator was still in use. The house is a hoarders dream. It got so bad some neighbors and lawn guy started taking care of weeds and lawn. Community Standards have not helped. They said they would tell the developer, but we have heard nothing. Realtors could not help since the house is paid for.
With all the rules and costs we cope with you would think The Villages would have a way to prevent neighborhood from deteriorating with these homes. Any suggestions on what we can do?

Pull the deed. See if it’s an enhanced, naming a beneficiary. They are the ones to resolve the situation. Run them for an address & contact, You can also run the owners name for relatives & they may help.

[sowilts]

How do we get someone to help with a home abandoned for a year? Power is cut off and the refrigerator was still in use. The house is a hoarders dream. It got so bad some neighbors and lawn guy started taking care of weeds and lawn. Community Standards have not helped. They said they would tell the developer, but we have heard nothing. Realtors could not help since the house is paid for.
With all the rules and costs we cope with you would think The Villages would have a way to prevent neighborhood from deteriorating with these homes. Any suggestions on what we can do?
A home at Linden Isle Rhett Road has been abandoned for over 2 years now. Taxes are still paid.

[Aces4]

There are at least 3 of those homes in Polo Ridge, 1 has been vacant for about 4+ years & has an outdoor garage light hanging by a wire…after reading about lightening strikes, maybe that’s the only way these homes will be taken care of…or not.������������*♀️

I wonder if an Orlando News Channel would be interested in a perspective report about the disadvantages of living in an age restricted community that has abandoned or tied up in court homes next to those trying to enjoy their home.:eek:

[Villagesgal]

Not sure if Briar Meadows is within a city jurisdiction, parts of the Villages are. If it is contact the City it is within. Most towns have their own community standards enforcement department. Just a thought.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Hmmm. 🤔 So, how is the power off and the refrigerator still in use?

[Normal]

Hmmm. 🤔 So, how is the power off and the refrigerator still in use?

We used to have a gas powered fridge at our hunting camp.

[Velvet]

Hmmm. ������ So, how is the power off and the refrigerator still in use?

You noticed that too? I wonder how many homes in TV have gas powered fridges.

[Aces4]

You noticed that too? I wonder how many homes in TV have gas powered fridges.

Or generators?:popcorn:

[Velvet]

Or generators?:popcorn:

OP would have mentioned the generator was running (they’re pretty loud ) no?

[Aces4]

OP would have mentioned the generator was running (they’re pretty loud ) no?

Just crossing at the t's and dotting all the i's.

[retiredguy123]

Why can't The Villages hire someone to maintain the outside, and bill it to the homeowner? Then, if it is not paid, they can put a lien on the deed. But, in any event, it seems as though they should have a process in place to deal with this situation that occurs frequently, instead of waiting a year and providing inadequate answers to neighbors who complain. Totally incompetent.

[Bill14564]

Why can't The Villages hire someone to maintain the outside, and bill it to the homeowner? Then, if it is not paid, they can put a lien on the deed. But, in any event, it seems as though they should have a process in place to deal with this situation that occurs frequently, instead of waiting a year and providing inadequate answers to neighbors who complain. Totally incompetent.

The Villages has nothing to do with this.

The CDD, working with Community Standards, *does* have a process for this:
- A violation occurs
- A complaint is filed
- Community Standards verifies the violation
- The homeowner is notified
- If not corrected then a public hearing is held by the CDD
- If still not corrected a service can be hired to maintain the property with the cost assessed against the home
- If enough fines are built up the CDD can file to attach a lien to the home

But first, there needs to be a violation and a complaint. As long as the neighbors are cutting the grass there is no violation.

[retiredguy123]

The Villages has nothing to do with this.

The CDD, working with Community Standards, *does* have a process for this:
- A violation occurs
- A complaint is filed
- Community Standards verifies the violation
- The homeowner is notified
- If not corrected then a public hearing is held by the CDD
- If still not corrected a service can be hired to maintain the property with the cost assessed against the home
- If enough fines are built up the CDD can file to attach a lien to the home

But first, there needs to be a violation and a complaint. As long as the neighbors are cutting the grass there is no violation.
Did you read the OP's post? It said:

"It got so bad some neighbors and lawn guy started taking care of weeds and lawn. Community Standards have not helped."

Community Standards and Deed Compliance work together and they occupy the same office and they are on The Villages website. Aren't they part of The Villages? The Deed Compliance office is supposed to address deed restriction violations, and this clearly is a violation. According to the OP, they have not helped, and it has been a year. Shouldn't they at least inform the OP of what is being done, if anything? Shouldn't the Community Standards person who accepted the complaint have provided a copy of the letter they sent to the developer, which they said they would send?

[Bill14564]

Did you read the OP's post? It said:

"It got so bad some neighbors and lawn guy started taking care of weeds and lawn. Community Standards have not helped."

Community Standards and Deed Compliance work together and they occupy the same office and they are on The Villages website. Aren't they part of The Villages? The Deed Compliance office is supposed to address deed restriction violations, and this clearly is a violation. According to the OP, they have not helped, and it has been a year. Shouldn't they at least inform the OP of what is being done, if anything? Shouldn't the Community Standards person who accepted the complaint have provided a copy of the letter they sent to the developer, which they said they would send?

We don't know exactly what exchange the OP had with Community Standards. I have seen them at the CDD meetings doing just what I wrote. It is certainly possible that something broke down in this case. It is also possible that the OP didn't follow through with the process in some way. We just don't know.

The Villages website is for the community known as the Villages and the local government structure that provides services throughout. If that is what you meant when you wrote about the Villages hiring someone then I misunderstood. Too often when someone here uses "The Villages" what they mean is "the Developer" and he is not part of this process; the Developer has given Community Standards and the CDDs the authority to handle it.

What is the violation that that would trigger a letter to the Developer? Not the weeds and grass, we've gone over that. Is a vacant/abandoned home a deed violation or some other concern for the Developer? What would the Developer do about that, somehow repossess the home?

I'll have to go over the thread to see if the numbered CDD can be determined or perhaps the OP can tell us if/when this issue was brought up before their numbered CDD. With that as a starting point, it might be possible to track the progress (or lack of) through the minutes of the CDD meetings.

[Marathon Man]

Sometimes putting people on the ignore list is the best thing to do.

[Aces4]

Yep

Sometimes it is obvious how some people keep their homes and yards judging by their reactions. Could be it's their ox being gored?