Abandoned CYV

[ohiogolf]

There is a courtyard villa has been unlived in (abandoned) since mid-summer 2011. The grass in the front yard is high but, being Winter, is somewhat dormant and not too unsightly. The grass in the back yard, however, is more than a foot and a half tall and extremely thick. A lawn service stopped about a month ago but left without doing anything.

On the lanai is a dead possum. There is a doggie door from the outside into the lanai and another doggie door from the lanai into the house.

According to a notice on the front door, the house has been winterized to prevent drying out of traps in drains, etc. Otherwise, nothing has been done to the home since before last summer.

Calls from neighbors have been made to The Villages Watch and Community Standards offices with no results. The response is that the interior of the home is not their concern and the exterior appears ok from the front.

The problem is what might be living inside the house due to the doggie door(s) access. If a dead possum in on the inside of the lanai, what more is going on, and what is living in the tall grass (weeds) in the backyard...a rodent infestation???

One of the previous owners is deceased and the other is in a nursing home as far as the neighbors know.

If anyone has a suggestion as to whom to call about this problem, the neighbors would greatly appreciate it. Also, any ideas as to how to locate the actual owners of the house as it is most likely not the previous residents would be appreciated.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Contacting Sumter County would be at least a place to start. This link will give you a bit of info about submitting a Code Complaint - also has a phone number you can call for more info.

Sumter County, FL - Official Website - Submit a Code Complaint (http://sumtercountyfl.gov/index.aspx?nid=175)

Bill :)

[buggyone]

The villa does seem as though someone is taking care of it since there is a notice it has been winterized. In order to see a possum on the lanai and the number of doggie doors, you must have gone onto private property to see that as well as the length of grass in the back yard. That could be called trespassing.

Why not call the Deeds and Covenants Department of The Villages to see what they can do? Probably will not do anything since the front exterior, according to you, looks okay.

By the way, a possum in not a rodent.

[buzzy]

How about calling county animal control?

[jane032657]

Ugh, we are putting in the same set up for dog doors. I hope no possums come in. We did have racoons come in one night, two of them at 3 am. It was quite a night. I hope possums fear dogs

[CaptJohn]

Winterizing signs are often signs of a foreclosure by the government. It's their standard procedure. There would also be a notice on the front window or door as to who to contact.

[red tail]

why not go to 'sumterpa' and get the info

[Posh 08]

The villa does seem as though someone is taking care of it since there is a notice it has been winterized. In order to see a possum on the lanai and the number of doggie doors, you must have gone onto private property to see that as well as the length of grass in the back yard. That could be called trespassing.

Why not call the Deeds and Covenants Department of The Villages to see what they can do? Probably will not do anything since the front exterior, according to you, looks okay.

By the way, a possum in not a rodent.

The way I read it, he feared rodents in the tall grass, not more possums. But thanks for the lesson anyway.

[BogeyBoy]

The villa does seem as though someone is taking care of it since there is a notice it has been winterized. In order to see a possum on the lanai and the number of doggie doors, you must have gone onto private property to see that as well as the length of grass in the back yard. That could be called trespassing.



I can easily see into neighbors CYV backyards and lanai's without trespassing.

[SABRMnLgs]

You posted a note regarding a possible abandoned court yard villa. Perhaps an address of same would help top locate possible owners?

Jerry Jackson

[Bogie Shooter]

why not go to 'sumterpa' and get the info

Sumter County Property Appraiser - Ronnie Hawkins, CFA - Bushnell, Florida - 352-569-6800 - (http://www.sumterpa.com/)

[eremite06]

No one should have double doggy doors. That little rascal, FUMAR, a menacing marsupial may gain access to all the dog & other critter's waste and deposit it in the street tucked neatly in sealed bags.

[Skybo]

In order to see a possum on the lanai and the number of doggie doors, you must have gone onto private property to see that as well as the length of grass in the back yard. That could be called trespassing.

Actually buggy, in CYV neighborhoods, the neighbor to the right’s property line extends several feet inside of the neighbor to the left’s side yard (which is inside of the fence line). The outside of one neighbor’s house makes up part of the “fence” enclosure for another neighbor’s yard. It’s part of the deed restrictions that you allow reasonable entry and access through your gate and onto that property. This is usually for the purpose of inspecting, power washing and painting the side of their house...but inspecting the condition of the vegetation growing next to their home and checking for critters would not be unreasonable either, especially in a yard that has been unattended for a long time.

[Skybo]

I can easily see into neighbors CYV backyards and lanai's without trespassing.

Tall ladder? Trampoline? :D

[BogeyBoy]

Tall ladder? Trampoline? :D

I use the periscope on the submarine I keep in my yard.

[ladydoc]

Ugh, we are putting in the same set up for dog doors. I hope no possums come in. We did have racoons come in one night, two of them at 3 am. It was quite a night. I hope possums fear dogs

They don't. They used to taunt our 120 lb. rhodesian ridgeback in california.

[BobKat1]

Maybe 6' 10"??

[Posh 08]

Where's Wilt?

[RichieB]

Where's Wilt?

in the ground

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Where's Wilt?

Hey! THERE'S an idea. "Wilt the Stilt"............use stilts!!! :D

Bill :)

[mulligan]

How 'bout some built-in entertainment. A pyramid of cheerleaders.

[The Village Girl]

There you go making jokes! There is a dead body in that CYV and there you go making jokes! No wait! Worse! A dead dog! Someone call Fumar! He will sniff it out! :police:

[Posh 08]

There you go making jokes! There is a dead body in that CYV and there you go making jokes! No wait! Worse! A dead dog! Someone call Fumar! He will sniff it out! :police:

Wilt is where?

[petenj]

There is a courtyard villa has been unlived in (abandoned) since mid-summer 2011. The grass in the front yard is high but, being Winter, is somewhat dormant and not too unsightly. The grass in the back yard, however, is more than a foot and a half tall and extremely thick. A lawn service stopped about a month ago but left without doing anything.

On the lanai is a dead possum. There is a doggie door from the outside into the lanai and another doggie door from the lanai into the house.

According to a notice on the front door, the house has been winterized to prevent drying out of traps in drains, etc. Otherwise, nothing has been done to the home since before last summer.

Calls from neighbors have been made to The Villages Watch and Community Standards offices with no results. The response is that the interior of the home is not their concern and the exterior appears ok from the front.

The problem is what might be living inside the house due to the doggie door(s) access. If a dead possum in on the inside of the lanai, what more is going on, and what is living in the tall grass (weeds) in the backyard...a rodent infestation???

One of the previous owners is deceased and the other is in a nursing home as far as the neighbors know.

If anyone has a suggestion as to whom to call about this problem, the neighbors would greatly appreciate it. Also, any ideas as to how to locate the actual owners of the house as it is most likely not the previous residents would be appreciated.

Why not call the Sheriff and state your concerns?

[buggyone]

Here's an idea. Donate the possum to the West Virginia picnic that was mentioned on the General Discussion page. They probably would be greatful for some home style vittles.

(That was only a joke. No hate mail from West Virginians, please)

[Posh 08]

Here's an idea. Donate the possum to the West Virginia picnic that was mentioned on the General Discussion page. They probably would be greatful for some home style vittles.

(That was only a joke. No hate mail from West Virginians, please)

We could use that meat in Western Virginia. Always ready for some serious chow.

[graciegirl]

Is there anyway the neighbors could chip in and have the grass cut and have someone take away the dead critter? CYV's yards aren't very big. That is what we would do in Ohio. Maybe doing it without permission, since no one is watching. Kind of a form of caring for a neighbor.

Don't pick on West Virginia. Our oncologist calls it "The Motherland" and Helene and I call that doctor, Saint Randy.;)

West Virginia is a lot of people's loved home.

[JoeC1947]

Here's an idea. Donate the possum to the West Virginia picnic that was mentioned on the General Discussion page. They probably would be greatful for some home style vittles.

(That was only a joke. No hate mail from West Virginians, please)

Maybe he's just playing possum?

[Mudder]

I think maybe call the health department.

[janmcn]

When my next door neighbor's grass got to be knee high, The Villages sent them a registered letter and as soon as it was received the grass was mowed. You might just have to wait until the grass in the front starts growing, which won't be long now.

[quirky3]

When my next door neighbor's grass got to be knee high, The Villages sent them a registered letter and as soon as it was received the grass was mowed. You might just have to wait until the grass in the front starts growing, which won't be long now.

I live in a gated community near Jacksonville, and when someone's lawn starts to get too long, the Board sends a warning letter. If the lawn is not cut, the Board sends a professional firm to cut it, and sends the bill to the honmeowner. That gets everyone what they need.

[graciegirl]

"I live in a gated community near Jacksonville, and when someone's lawn starts to get too long, the Board sends a warning letter. If the lawn is not cut, the Board sends a professional firm to cut it, and sends the bill to the honmeowner
That gets everyone what they need.

Quote Quirky3"


I was under the impression that is what is done here. The possible fact that the bank now owns it may put the ownership of the home in a different catagory, or they only cut what can be seen on the street?

[RichieB]

One of the previous owners is deceased and the other is in a nursing home as far as the neighbors know.



If the above is the case, as stated in the initial post, then it is not likely that the lawn is going to get cut any time soon.

If "the bank" owns it, as Gracie indicated, then that's probably another ballgame.

[BobKat1]

I would think this would be a common occurance (not widespread) in a retirement community as big as TV. Some agency or department would have experience in dealing with the situation.

[anlashokna]

There is a courtyard villa has been unlived in (abandoned) since mid-summer 2011. The grass in the front yard is high but, being Winter, is somewhat dormant and not too unsightly. The grass in the back yard, however, is more than a foot and a half tall and extremely thick. A lawn service stopped about a month ago but left without doing anything.

On the lanai is a dead possum. There is a doggie door from the outside into the lanai and another doggie door from the lanai into the house.

According to a notice on the front door, the house has been winterized to prevent drying out of traps in drains, etc. Otherwise, nothing has been done to the home since before last summer.

Calls from neighbors have been made to The Villages Watch and Community Standards offices with no results. The response is that the interior of the home is not their concern and the exterior appears ok from the front.

The problem is what might be living inside the house due to the doggie door(s) access. If a dead possum in on the inside of the lanai, what more is going on, and what is living in the tall grass (weeds) in the backyard...a rodent infestation???

One of the previous owners is deceased and the other is in a nursing home as far as the neighbors know.

If anyone has a suggestion as to whom to call about this problem, the neighbors would greatly appreciate it. Also, any ideas as to how to locate the actual owners of the house as it is most likely not the previous residents would be appreciated.

Yeah we had an similar issue with the neighbors and rental here in NC. We ended up with the other neighbor "shaving" the yard to insure it stayed kept and keep animals (snakes and rodents away from our properties). When I say shaving we literally scalped the yard. Better look than foot high growth. You guys may have to cut it just to keep your values up. Shouldn't have too and its kinda disappointing to hear since we were told how wonderfull a response problem issues got down there....hmm...now I'm wondering. Call animal control on the possum....

[redwitch]

If you can find out the name of the nursing home the owner is in, you might be able to contact them to see if there is a guardian or conservator. Contact them to explain the problems. Sooner or later they will be selling that property and will want to keep the value up. In the meantime, I think the neighbors could get together and help out this poor family. It sounds pretty obvious that no one has any real clue what is happening.

[buggyone]

Redwitch has offered the best solution for the situation. She is a prime example of why this is Florida's Friendliest Hometown.

[uujudy]

Redwitch has offered the best solution for the situation. She is a prime example of why this is Florida's Friendliest Hometown.

:agree::agree::agree:

[Bogie Shooter]

Yeah we had an similar issue with the neighbors and rental here in NC. We ended up with the other neighbor "shaving" the yard to insure it stayed kept and keep animals (snakes and rodents away from our properties). When I say shaving we literally scalped the yard. Better look than foot high growth. You guys may have to cut it just to keep your values up. Shouldn't have too and its kinda disappointing to hear since we were told how wonderfull a response problem issues got down there....hmm...now I'm wondering. Call animal control on the possum....

Don't jump to conclusions based on information posted on this thread. Go back and read the op. Deed restrictions have been contacted and the front was acceptable, maybe they did not check the back. Deed restrictions/community standards has no authority on the interior of a house.
Community standards should be contacted again regarding the rear. As suggested by another poster the appropriate Sumter county department should now be called in.
I agree with other posters for the neighbors to go in and clean it up.

[buggyone]

...with the owner's permission of course.

[Bogie Shooter]

...with the owner's permission of course.

No, if the owner cannot be determined or contacted......clean it up.

[redwitch]

I'm with Bogie -- this isn't the normal situation where a homeowner is ignoring what is going on. This is where one spouse lost the other and then ended up in a nursing home of some type for some reason. More than likely, the conservator or guardian is far away and truly has no clue what to do or how to go about doing it. Clean up the yard. Find a way to contact the conservator, get things in place. Be a good, kind, caring neighbor.

[F16 1UB]

While you sit here & pound keys complaining about the yard growing, dead animals. & cracking jokes.... I sent the poster notice that I'd mow it for free. I had NO REPLY. PM me the address or quit complaining about it. I don't care if it's in foreclosure. It's a neighborhood & village I reside in. I'm willing to help. Where the hell is it?

[graciegirl]

While you sit here & pound keys complaining about the yard growing, dead animals. & cracking jokes.... I sent the poster notice that I'd mow it for free. I had NO REPLY. PM me the address or quit complaining about it. I don't care if it's in foreclosure. It's a neighborhood & village I reside in. I'm willing to help. Where the hell is it?

You are one great guy! That is the spirit. Where you from?

(P.S. I know where he's from)

[redwitch]

F16, you rock!! (But I knew that before.)

[graciegirl]

I volunteer to help too. I can weed and bag weeds.

[ewstanley]

I can volunteer too. I have some hedge trimmers that I can bring. I also have some yard waste bags to but the clippings in.

[rubicon]

Well the overwhelming position was to be a good neighbor and get done what needs to get done for thw sake of these residents, their neighbors and the community at large. Bravo to you all.

I will also help but not with the critters because while I am afriad i am only afraid of four kind of critters big small alive and dead:thumbup:

[F16 1UB]

I drove thru Hadley & looked at all 3 sets of villas. I saw NO front yards that were in dyer need. Matter of fact I only saw 1 front yard with sod & believe it was a corner lot.

So......If ya want it cleaned up speak up or........There's plenty of folks that are willing to help. All you have to do is ask.

[RichieB]

So......If ya want it cleaned up speak up or........There's plenty of folks that are willing to help. All you have to do is ask.

You might be unwittingly setting up a side business for yourself :$: :D

"Beware for what you wish." :laugh:

[looneycat]

he was talking about a patio villa even though he said cyv, he would then have a view of the patio in front and as previously stated, virtually all cyv's have gravel or stone or other treatments other than grass.
:ho:

[Walt.]

Is there anyway the neighbors could chip in and have the grass cut and have someone take away the dead critter? CYV's yards aren't very big. That is what we would do in Ohio. Maybe doing it without permission, since no one is watching. Kind of a form of caring for a neighbor.


Wouldn't this be an opportunity for a REAL "Flash Mob?" People could show up, do something worth doing, and then go home. It would certainly make more sense than a "freeze" that's been planned weeks in advance.

[Skybo]

he was talking about a patio villa even though he said cyv, he would then have a view of the patio in front and as previously stated, virtually all cyv's have gravel or stone or other treatments other than grass.
:ho:

Looneycat, I got the impression that the OP lived in the neighborhood, and if so, I�m sure they identified the type of home correctly. It�s up to the individual homeowner if they want to replace the grass with stone or some other type of material. In my CYV neighborhood approximately 80% of the lots still have grass in both the front and back yards.

[Opulence]

<<virtually all cyv's have gravel or stone or other treatments other than grass>>

I'm not sure where you are getting this information from, but my experience is totally different. Most of the CYV's have grass (with pine straw mulch) and if that does not suit you, you can change it to something else. I had a lovely 3 BR CYV, built in late 201 in Jacarand Villas, in Pennecamp and I had plenty of nice green grass. If you think about it, it is cheaper for the developer to put in grass & pine straw mulch, than to use stone etc. Those changes are up to the new owners.