[Debfrommaine]

How important do you think it is to have a golf cart included with a rental home in The Villages?

Thanks!

[tainsley]

I think it is important especially if you golf. My husband and I enjoy riding around TV in a golf cart!

[philnpat]

Some very nice rentals don't include a cart because of concerns of liability. If the rental is priced right, cart rentals are readily available.

[Ohiogirl]

I think it's VERY important to include a cart. And your golf cart liability insurance transfers to the renter. Plus, you can have them sign a form accepting any liability beyond your coverage.

It's much easier to rent your house/villa in the off months if you include a cart. You won't likely get repeat tenants unless you include a cart.
Why would someone rent your unit when most of the others include carts?
Golf cart rentals are not cheap, and sometimes during the season, are not even available unless you book well ahead.

First year I owned my CYV (I rented it out for 4 years), I didn't have a cart, thinking it was an unnecessary expense and a possible liability issue. Once I bought one, had many more inquiries and feel I rented many more non season months/weeks. I feel the cart (a 2 yr old refurbished one) paid for itself. If I had it to do over, I'd get a gas cart for a rental. Less worry about whether or not tenants are filling batteries correctly. Batteries lasted 3 years, not sure if it was tenant neglect or my fault. I've learned more about filling them correctly myself.

[wendyquat]

We have rented 4 times and a cart was always included. This was very important to us.

[gage405]

I rent and only consider rental units that include a cart.

[ducati1974]

Another vote for inclusion of golf cart- its an integral part of the TV experience!

I've never rented a house because I own one but I have rented several carts for company & wasn't satisfied.So if you want a good cart your chances are better with a homeowner providing one.JMO

[gmcneill]

Ducati gives best response as to why; ohiogirl gave best response as to how to protect yourself.

If we decide to rent out, that's the way I'd go.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by wendyquat

We have rented 4 times and a cart was always included. This was very important to us.

I agree! Have rented once in July and back again renting in October. Both homes had golf carts included.

[bestmickey]

Another one who requires that the rental home includes a golf cart.

[quirky3]

When I was looking for a home to rent, I filtered the search only to include homes that inlcuded a golf cart at no extra cost - so that is from the perspective of a "renter customer". I think it is essential to make it as easy as possible for the renter. Thanks for asking!

[frannieb]

We always rent with a golf cart included and wouldn't even consider a property that didn't offer this a no charge. We would definately prefer a gas cart but very few are available. We have had a barbeque in the past which we really use a lot but unfortunatly we we were unable to find one this year. Thanks too for asking. We appreciate having our needs met and always go with the property with the extras...far more important than location imo.

[swrinfla]

A thought or two from a non-renting home-owner, who never rented in TV, either!

A residence without an accompanying golf cart strikes me as a bad marketing decision! The Villages is a place where residents, visitors, sight-seers, and all others move about by golf cart. Not offering one to your renters is, frankly, stupid! :-) :-) :-)

My two cents!

SWR

[Dirigo]

Our rent last winter included a golf cart alright....a 22 year old cart we nicknamed "The Flintstone Flyer". It rattled and shook and made scary noises and was terrible to drive.

Most of all, it didn't have a Sunbrella enclosure...just clear plastic on all four sides that zipped on each corner...therefore it couldn't be safely driven in inclement weather or at night because one couldn't see through the crinkled plastic clearly. If the front panel wasn't down the wind (and sometimes rain) blew in from the sides.

When we complained to the owner he said "our standards were too high" and rental carts were not available during Jan-Feb-Mar so he refused to do anything about it.

I checked TOTV and made a few calls and the next day I had a cart...at $325/month. When I asked him to help pay for it, he refused.

I'm sure this rental was the excecption to the rule, but ask about the cart before you rent...you can bet I will.