No Rental Zones
 

We are purchasing in Dabney and are very excited! There is a major concern though. I have read some threads here and we know we don’t want VRBOs or short term rentals near us. Are there any places that guarantee this in the villages? We would like to take care of our new home and don’t necessarily want to to step into that kind of a mess. Any help would be appreciated.

You are wise to have the major concern articulated. I would strongly suggest that you, and other prospective homebuyers, make your concerns abundantly clear to your Property of the Villages sales representative. Hopefully the message will get through loud and clear to the entity with the clout and resources to do something about the ever growing short term rental problem in the Villages. Best of luck with your home search.

If you have been reading the threads then you would know that there are no protections. The developer does not care. The deed restrictions are worthless. It is a growing problem. We had one in our neighborhood but many of us filed complaints and the woman finally sold her house. There is nothing stopping another one from cropping up though.

No.

Excellent suggestion

Every new village that opens has more than normal rentals. Some buy prior to retirement, and usually rent high season to offset cost.

Abnb is becoming a problem in some areas. To complain to your agent or the Villages is waste of time. Especially since some of those rentals may or may not belong to VLS agents.

Where you will find less and less rentals, are in long established neighborhoods. With the occasional rental due to an illness or just age.

Each neighborhood we moved to had rentals for 3-5 years, dwelling each year

Even if it was a restriction, which I dont know of any area where it is, it’s an internal restriction, and enforcement won’t happen.

Agree on the comment on established area. We moved into an established neighborhood, all full timers, great neighborhood

There is no such thing as short term rental not allowed in TV. You can do a couple things that may hedge your bet against being in a neighborhood with an above average amount of short term rentals.
- Buy a preowned home. You can scout out the neighborhood and try to talk with neighbors before buying. You also avoid the latest fade of corporations buying for the purpose of renting the homes out.
- If buying new avoid Villas. These are the cheapest new build homes in TV and many owners already own homes in TV and are purchasing for for income investment.

Rentals are both the boon and the bane of The Villages. If you have a good neighbor for a tenant, then you're luckier than being stuck with a creep as a permanent resident-owner. If you have a lousy short-term tenant, you can feel comfortable knowing that it's just short term, and the next one might be better. If you have a terrific short-term neighbor tenant, you might feel a loss when the average "meh" property owner comes back to stay during snowbird season.

My neighbor rents her place out using AirBnB. She vets the tenants and so far, she's done a good job of it. I would MUCH prefer having consistency in neighbors. How can you be friendly to someone you meet the third day after they arrive, and they're gone two days later? What's the point in even trying to develop a friendship?

A landlord who allows short-term tenants, for a long period of time, isn't any better. I never see them, I only see their tenants. Why would I want to make friends with them, if their house never has them actually living in it?

On the other hand, you could be stuck with a long-term tenant who's there for a few years, who you can't stand. In that case I'd probably prefer the 1-week-stay guy who keeps to himself, isn't friendly, but also doesn't put the trash out three days before trash day.

On the other OTHER hand - you could end up with a homeowner living in their house next door to you, who puts their trash out three days before trash day - and when you mention it in a kind, neighborly way, they get an outdoor cat and sprinkle freeze-dried fish on the property line every week, JUST to annoy you.

so - it's not the fact that people rent that determines whether your neighbor will be a good neighbor or not. It's how long they're staying, combined with how well they integrate with the rest of the neighborhood.

Isn't this somewhat contradictory since the Developer is likely one of the largest short term rental agents in The Villages with its Lifestyle Visit rentals?

I don't know if the possibility of rentals would dissuade me from buying. We bought used three years ago, and on our block there are two rentals that I know of. Both properties are better-kept than a couple of properties where the owner lives on premises.

This probably isn't an uncommon phenomenon though. People use forums like this to vent, so it is a possibility that the "problem" of rentals is more apparent than real.

You may have seen on the other thread that I have not taken the side of STRs are all bad, etc. However, I thought the thread of sharing the concerns with the villages agent, and actually not buying a house because of STRs was an excellent idea. If those who are adamantly against STRs did that, affecting the sales of homes, I think that is an outstanding way to influence things with the developer. I would bet the agents talk to each other and pass up the line obstacles to selling in the villages. If that became a significant obstacle, I believe TV would address it. But, not saying that would be quick, or even that it is the best way to address their concerns. But it is one way to get TV to support you rather than fight you.

I think we have been on opposite sides of a vast number of threads. I want to take this wonderful opportunity to share that I think your post is one of the best posts on the topic that I have read.

If you want to know if the folks where you plan to live are full-time residents or not, you can check the tax records to find out if the residence and mailing address are the same. If different than you know the house might be a rental or the folks are just snowbirds. You can also check rental and airbnb sites against the addresses.

The only way the developers would take notice is if they stopped selling hundreds of homes every month. That may happen in 20 years.

You realize almost every person that has moved to TV has rented for at least one day, up to years. We rented then bought house 1, 2, and 3 as investment properties. So again as long as homes sell, there will be rentals.

Durning the pandemic there was a clause in your contract that you could not rent out your home due to shortage of homes. Didn’t work, people still rent per them

Maybe the best way to avoid living near short-term rentals is to buy a house in a crummy area where no one wants to rent.

In my expert opinion, Dabney is an excellent choice because it is a long way away from everything and most people will not want to rent there. Our neighborhood Osceola Hills is good as well, because we are a very long way from the entertainment areas.

I think the neighborhoods near the entertainment will appeal more to renters.

No guarantees. Would need a ordinance like Nyc. Would expect the lowest priced housing to be rental heavy. Check the rent from a villager site. Can sort by village

I live in a CYV that is walking distance to a town square. In the past three years, rentals have been increasing in my neighborhood. The street I live on now has 10 rentals. I have spoken to many homeowners who are surrounded by investment homes, like myself. I agree that it seems the lowest priced housing is rental heavy I.e. patio villas, ranch style homes, and court yard villas. My area is rental heavy because it is close to a town square. If you purchase a designer home, I believe you will have a better chance of avoiding rental properties.

My thoughts echo OBB's very good summary in post #9.
I would add that STR on Lifestyle visits are usually people considering moving too, and living in TV.
Probably a better neighbor, than vacationers that come to party.
We were winter months renters for over 20 years, stayed in various parts of TV and never met any of the anti-social behavior that a lot of posts are now quoting.

The homes used for the lifestyle visits are not sprinkled throughout a village and are located in one section. There are no residents in that cluster of villas, just those on a lifestyle visit or here for their design appointment.

The key as others have mentioned is to stay away from the villas and cottages as well as villages that are close to the town squares. If you want to see a VERY heavy rental village look at Richmond.

If you don’t want to buy where there aren’t any short term rentals, then the villages is not for you. They are permitted everywhere here and will continue to operate. Not trying to be rude just realistic.

Investors buy with their own intentions just as you or I would. **** is something I've used for over 20 years and can attest to the quality of homes these owners make available for people like myself. I'm a Villager for the past 7 years as a result of ****. Unnecessary fears are often projected here by rightfully concerned owners. Hope this helps, have a great day...

No truer words have been spoken. More and more are popping up everyday. Preowned investor homes are listed on MLS as ready to go STRS. The new square, East Port, will be here in the Spring. That area is most definitely going to be rental heavy. Investors will not be able to resist the high rents they can collect.

you already purchased your house. It's a little late for concern now. There is not any area in the villages that rentals are prohibited. Keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best

Definitely check it out before you purchase. Love Village of Richmond, it is close to Brownwood and other things but it’s full of investment rentals, corporate rentals and private rentals. More than a homeowner would want to see. Miss having regular neighbors.

Agree to a point. **** properties probably are kept well. Problem is length of the rental. Should be no less than 30 consecutive days minimum and not the weekend or weekly ones.

Here we have lots of snowbirds so not many people out and about.

There is no area of The Villages, where STR's are clearly prohibited. There is an argument that the "no business" language in the Deed Restrictions would apply to STR's, but no one has been willing to press the issue in court.

This post sums it up.

If you opt for a more economical choice of homes, you're likely to get what you pay for. Patio Villas & Courtyard Villas are what they are. Glorified apartments, with little or no separation from your neighbors, limited parking, shared property areas and just about every other negative you'd associate with the bargain basement solution. The old adage, "you get what you pay for", certainly applies in those neighborhoods. It's sort of like buying in the so-called "historic district" ... don't be surprised if you're living next to a trailer.

"Renters" are much more likely to choose the most economical solution, which means renting in the less desirable areas ... patio villas, courtyard villas, historic district, etc.

The folks living over in Bridgeport, certainly aren't complaining about all the renters in their neighborhood.

In 2019, we acquired a preowned property with the purpose of renting it out during the peak season until our retirement, which is only a few years away.

We place great importance on carefully handpicking our tenants because we highly value our neighbors and aim to uphold a respectful and harmonious atmosphere in the community. Our rental period spans four months annually, with a minimum lease duration of two months. This approach serves to help us cover the property's expenses as we approach retirement.

What sets our approach apart is our personal involvement in tenant selection and management. We utilize an owner-managed website for renting our home, distinct from platforms like Airbnb and property management companies, which offer less control over tenant selection.

Speaking from a personal perspective, I share the sentiment of not wanting a property next to mine to experience frequent tenant turnovers every 2 or 3 days. This is why we believe in longer-term rentals, which contribute to maintaining a stable and friendly neighborhood environment.

:gc:

I have been told that many VLS sales agents own income properties for rental purposes. I don’t know any stats regarding this. Many people who purchase in The Villages probably did a short-term rental before buying, so there’s that. The other option that you might find yourself faced with is not renters but vacant properties around you where owners are there only part of the year. Honestly, you make your life around what you have and you can’t control what others do with their properties. Enjoy life!

Rentals are part of TV way of life. There is NO guarantee ANY neighborhood will be or stay rent free. Either buy here or don't. Good luck in your search.

Seems many of you are anti-rental. But, how many of you rented before you bought your home? Many people rent to find out if TV fits them.

no rentals less than 3 months!

We are talking about DAILY rentals to people 18 and above with multiple people in the homes who are here to party, not couples who are interested in The Villages.

Agree

Homes near squares are more expensive then homes that are not. Look at the going prices for Villas in Brownwood. You will not find one less than $500,000.
Investors buy these homes, charge high rents, then flip at a higher price. They are well aware renters will pay more to be close to a square.

Patio Villas are also a good buy for investors because the cost is low. However, the rents charged by investors are not.

Of course, there are very few rentals in Bridgeport. Renters want to be near the squares, not in some area where there is little action and few neighbors. This is why I suggest you buy a designer home if you want to avoid rentals.Still then, there is no guarantee.

In my opinion, this isn’t anything to be concerned about. There are houses for rent all over the villages. Lots of houses being inherited by children who don’t want to live here so they either sell or rent. I stayed here twice in private rentals before buying. Honestly, as for my neighbors, I only know they’re here when I see the trash on the driveway.

Florida state law prohibits local governments from banning short-term rentals altogether and from limiting the length or frequency of stays. These Florida laws make the Sunshine State one of the preferred markets for investors interested in vacation rental investing.

County and city governments can pass their own rules in order to control the negative impact of vacation rentals on local communities.

Florida Short Term Rental Laws: AirBnB & Vacation Rental Regulations

Thinking out loud - are not neighborhood driveway parties with loud music, street blocked off, many loud and drinking people a very similar situation to a short term rental issue? What about the neighbor that does not wish to participate in the driveway party. We have rec centers and town squares. I understood the driveway parties with COVID issue but why is this an acceptable situation now all the venues are reopened ?

Why not only allow home rentals of one month minimum? That eliminates most vacationers and partiers, and makes it easier for the rental person or company to administer, while bringing in the desired revenue for the owner. One to two week rentals seem to bring the most problems and concerns.