[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Yep - you are spot on - on the block I live on, I am the only owner-resident - very difficult to make friends with neighbors, with the majority of residents shoe-term renters or bnb folks on vacation. Luckily today I met a owner-resident on the street over, and she has taken the “Bull by the horns” and has started a club for the folks in our villas the own their homes (monthly socials).

I’ve been here four months now - absolutely love it - I am in so many clubs/activities right now and meeting great people - just not many of my neighbors in Richmond, which is kind of discouraging, but I’m making it work! Glad to be here, and I wake up very happy each morning, looking forward to the adventures of the day.

Michael, that's about all you can do, unless you just move. And inside or outside the Villages, you can have the same thing happen. We are very sad about our situation. Everyone in our area near Lake S. bought lots and used the customize feature they offered back then. Some even had them take 2 different models, and create their own unique plan. The homes and lots were all in the higher price range at that time. It's now amazing that only 3 homes on our block are full time residents. Three others are AB&B type week, weekend type rentals. Never expected these larger models to become rental properties ! One reason for this is a couple deaths (and one more just a couple weeks ago) where the homes were inherited, not sold, and the relatives that inherited the properties prefers using them as income rather than selling. We have 3 part time residents, one who rents their out when not here, an two who do not want others in their homes so do not rent. One of the rentals also seems to be running a separate "business" out of the (large) garage of the home. They (the new owners ? renters ") have so much furniture even AFTER they got moved in and all moving boxes unpacked, the garage door when up, reveals it is literally packed to the ceiling. The came with one golf cart, it is always parked on the garage, never put away even in a storm.. no room in garage. They kept getting additional carts (?), never appear to leave with clubs to play golf, and have never seemed to have any interest in playing with any of us left in our neighborhood group. Some others have attempted to chat with the newest weekenders in another house on other side of them, only to meet with a very cold shoulder, no smile, and "excuse me, but we're on our way to an appointment" ! It's just the way things are, it's all perfectly legal. and if any violation does occur, it would take more time and money to "fight" against it that most don't want undertake. These types of deed restricted communities really have no legal "teeth", and no enforcement "security" with legal police powers. We are not the only community suffering from these new investment trends. Just have to enjoy live and look at the half glass of lemonade we do have ! (or, wine, if that is your thing, LOL !) Our neighborhood informal "parties" (actually just drive way gatherings on Th nights for anyone not doing something else), once one of the most compelling things to make every person so welcome, and part of the neighborhood, are now 3 people who bring their own mug of coffee. We not longer have our block golf group of couples, and our "gals group" is also "kaput" ! Just have to make the best of it we've decided.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Just like illegally crossing the boarder to get into the USA is not really illegal if those who are charged with enforcement choose to do nothing about it?

Exactly, just an example on a much larger scale. Like the person who first said: "a restraining order is just a piece of paper" ! Many places, governments, industries, and just neighborhoods, have a tendency to FIRST make rules, restriction, mandates, and so on, without thought to enforcement. Our relatives in Tennessee are complaining about the same thing, "upscale" retirement community, centered around golf, and they were intentionally seeking a deed restricted community for retirement. The latest incident there, which has turned into AB&B land, was a weekend party thrown by the "couple" who rented the home on the lake through AB&B, and ended with a shooting to which police responded. Fortunately, no one killed or seriously injured, just a so called "flesh wound" but... ? This whole new investment opportunity just grew faster than any controls can be put into place.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Normal

Just petition the local government (I think yours is Sumter Co or Wildwood) to write an ordinance against short term rentals. It has worked well in NY and NJ. The vast majority of voters are against them! After all, how many want to lose property value?

Here is an article for you to read.

How Airbnb’s Fight to Overturn a New Jersey Law Imploded | WIRED

Yes, you're right, there are grass roots objections beginning to happen, have read some examples right here in Florida. I "could" turn around here as more and more neighborhoods are affected. Interesting that here in the villages, it's not confined to one area, such as the oldest neighborhood, but pretty much evenly spread with some concentrations in the newest areas.

[KeithRiz]

Maybe residents can combine their resources and bring up a civil suit against the owners that rent out these short term rentals indiscriminately. The damages claimed could be the value of the homes going down as a result of the STRs. Hold the owners that rent their houses out short term accountable for their actions.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by KeithRiz

Maybe residents can combine their resources and bring up a civil suit against the owners that rent out these short term rentals indiscriminately. The damages claimed could be the value of the homes going down as a result of the STRs. Hold the owners that rent their houses out short term accountable for their actions.

Are the values of the homes actually going down? I think the owners of the STR can make a case for the opposite, they create demand, which increases price

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

Are the values of the homes actually going down? I think the owners of the STR can make a case for the opposite, they create demand, which increases price

I think that the value trend is irrelevant. Whether the values are going up or down, as long as the owners are not violating any rules, the lawsuit would have no merit.

[jimkerr]

I did a search on Airbnb for homes that would allow an adult, 2 kids (2-12) and an infant. I got 797 homes that were available in The Villages! I had no idea there were that many.

[oldtimes]

Originally Posted by jimkerr

I did a search on Airbnb for homes that would allow an adult, 2 kids (2-12) and an infant. I got 797 homes that were available in The Villages! I had no idea there were that many.

There's actually way more than that if you consider the VRBOs and other sites. Not much of an over 55 community anymore. If you don't have one in your neighborhood yet you will soon as the trend spreads.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by oldtimes

There's actually way more than that if you consider the VRBOs and other sites. Not much of an over 55 community anymore. If you don't have one in your neighborhood yet you will soon as the trend spreads.

Read what it means to be a 55 community. (What it does NOT mean is 100% over 55 and zero rentals)

Don't make the assumption that all renters, even if they have children, are under 55.

Way more than 797? What is "way more?" Where did you get that information?

[Normal]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I think that the value trend is irrelevant. Whether the values are going up or down, as long as the owners are not violating any rules, the lawsuit would have no merit.

It depends? In district 13 the rentals do violate restrictions. I would definitely be interested in starting an enforcement campaign and defining short term rentals. As homeowners we definitely outnumber landlord short term rental folks. Let’s get this done.

A rental requires a business monetary transaction, and maintenance requests do increase. There is a violation of the Sumter County Clerk’s declaration.

[oldtimes]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Read what it means to be a 55 community. (What it does NOT mean is 100% over 55 and zero rentals)

Don't make the assumption that all renters, even if they have children, are under 55.

Way more than 797? What is "way more?" Where did you get that information?

It doesn't matter if it is 1000 or 10000 until it affects you personally you are not going to see it as an issue.

Federal Register 24 CFR Part 100; section 760.24-760.37 (4a), Florida Statutes says: "The facility or community publishes and adheres to policies and procedures that demonstrate its intent to in fact be a provider of housing for older persons."

The restrictions state: The Declarant or its designee in its Sole discretion shall have the right to establish hardship exceptions to permit individuals between the ages of nineteen (19) and fifty-five {55) to permanently reside in a home even though there is not a permanent resident in the home who is fifty-five (55) years of age or over, providing that said providing that said exceptions shall not be permitted in situations where the granting of a hardship exception would result in less than 80% of the Homesites in the Subdivision having less than one resident fifty-five (55) years of age or older

You can argue this falls within the letter of the law but it clearly violates the spirit of the law.

I am done arguing this because it is futile to do so. Clearly you think it's fine and I don't.

[Babubhat]

2023/05/01/estranged-lady-friend-escapes-attack-at-rental-home-in-the-villages

Why people don’t want them. From that other news site

[Djean1981]

How are they not running a business out of their home?? If a hotel business is fine, all businesses are.

[MrChip72]

Originally Posted by oldtimes

The state considers anyone who rents for less than 6 months to be a transient rental accommodations provider and legally required to register with the Florida Department of Revenue for a sales tax certificate. To me needing to pay Sales and Use tax sounds like a business.

Secondly our deed restrictions state:
Section 1. The Subdivision is an adult community designed to provide housing for persons 55 years of age or older. All homes that are occupied must be occupied by at least one person who is at least fifty-five (55) years of age. Note it says occupied and not owned.

That sounds like 2 violations to me.

Considering The Villages has a whole separate department that will manage your rental property for you, I don't think there's an issue here.

[MrChip72]

Originally Posted by Normal

It depends? In district 13 the rentals do violate restrictions. I would definitely be interested in starting an enforcement campaign and defining short term rentals. As homeowners we definitely outnumber landlord short term rental folks. Let’s get this done.

A rental requires a business monetary transaction, and maintenance requests do increase. There is a violation of the Sumter County Clerk’s declaration.

Can you post a link to where this is stated for district 13? Even The Villages currently rents out homes in district 13 for lifestyle visits.