[cjky2k]

Two things.

1. The Villages has their own rental management company that owner can use to rent out their homes. Hometown Property Management. By the week or month or longer. So I am pretty sure they don’t think rentals are violating the rules. I know this for sure as a friend just bought a place last week he wants to rent until he retires and his Villages sales agent told him all about it.
2. The In-Area pass is different than a Guest Pass. A visitor on a Guest Pass can use all the facilities unaccompanied (but needs pass and ID). A person with an In-Area pass MUST be accompanied by a resident. Will they always get checked at pools? Maybe not. But they sure do when playing golf. This keeps In-Area guests from being able to “act like residents” but allows close family members to enjoy visiting.

[Villagesgal]

Your quote regarding one person residing in the home must be 55 and over is inaccurate. You must be 19 years or older in order to reside permanently in the Villages. Under 19 can reside for up to 30 Days per year. We bought and moved here permanently full time at 45 and 51. We had our home built by the Villages who were well aware of our ages. Short term renters under 55 are ok as long as its for 30 days or less. Check the fine print of your covenants.

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.

[bark4me]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I live across the street from an Airbnb - people coming and going every week - most are under the age of 55.

Are there any violations here?

Just wait until some of those short term rentals get smart and decide not to leave and squat there. It'll take the owner a year or two to get them evicted! That'll teach the homeowners.

[Vermilion Villager]

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?

Seems this is your "go to statement" for most things........

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Villagesgal

Your quote regarding one person residing in the home must be 55 and over is inaccurate. You must be 19 years or older in order to reside permanently in the Villages. Under 19 can reside for up to 30 Days per year. We bought and moved here permanently full time at 45 and 51. We had our home built by the Villages who were well aware of our ages. Short term renters under 55 are ok as long as its for 30 days or less. Check the fine print of your covenants.

As I understand it, the over-55 rule is not a hard and fast rule. As many as 20 percent of the houses can be occupied exclusively by people who are under 55. But, I have never seen any information about who calculates the 20 percent or if it is even enforced at all.

[oldtimes]

Originally Posted by Villagesgal

Your quote regarding one person residing in the home must be 55 and over is inaccurate. You must be 19 years or older in order to reside permanently in the Villages. Under 19 can reside for up to 30 Days per year. We bought and moved here permanently full time at 45 and 51. We had our home built by the Villages who were well aware of our ages. Short term renters under 55 are ok as long as its for 30 days or less. Check the fine print of your covenants.

All homes that are occupied must be occupied by at least one person who is at least fifty-five (55) years of age

That is the point, the developer is selectively enforcing the restrictions

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by oldtimes

All homes that are occupied must be occupied by at least one person who is at least fifty-five (55) years of age

That is the point, the developer is selectively enforcing the restrictions

Are you referring to a specific rule? I cannot find any such rule. Here is a recent article I found:

"The population of the Villages grows by approximately 4,500 annually. To maintain its 55+ status under federal law, at least 80 percent of homes must be occupied by at least one person who is 55 years of age or older. The average age in The Villages for a male is 62 and female is 60."

Also, I have read other news articles where The Villages is trying to attract younger residents, and they may allow more under-55 residents in certain areas of The Villages.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Are you referring to a specific rule? I cannot find any such rule. Here is a recent article I found:

"The population of the Villages grows by approximately 4,500 annually. To maintain its 55+ status under federal law, at least 80 percent of homes must be occupied by at least one person who is 55 years of age or older. The average age in The Villages for a male is 62 and female is 60."

Also, I have read other news articles where The Villages is trying to attract younger residents, and they may allow more under-55 residents in certain areas of The Villages.

The 55+ rule is the law specific to an official legal designation of a 55+ community. It's not merely a policy of The Villages.

If the developer or sales rep of a community wants to lawfully advertise the community as a 55+ community they are required to adhere to minimum standards:

"At least 80% of the occupied units are occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older.

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 facility or community complies with rules established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for verification of occupancy."

This is to protect the elderly from being pushed out of homes, which was an actual thing back in the 1980's and 1990's. The law, the Housing for Older People Act of 1995, addressed this problem.

The Villages was a designated 55+ community but I believe due to lack of enforcement, they lost that designation a couple of years ago. They can still call it a Retirement Community, because that phrase has no minimum legal standards.

[xcaligirl]

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.

Hey, we're also from Lodi! Living in CA all my life,, I rarely ever met someone from or living in Lodi. We liived in Sac, Fair Oaks and Lodi. Left here in '14 and never looked back... We wil go back sometime this year to see relatives....but not a long stay! I do like the food, veggies, fruit much better there.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

The 55+ rule is the law specific to an official legal designation of a 55+ community. It's not merely a policy of The Villages.

If the developer or sales rep of a community wants to lawfully advertise the community as a 55+ community they are required to adhere to minimum standards:

"At least 80% of the occupied units are occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older.

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 facility or community complies with rules established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for verification of occupancy."

This is to protect the elderly from being pushed out of homes, which was an actual thing back in the 1980's and 1990's. The law, the Housing for Older People Act of 1995, addressed this problem.

The Villages was a designated 55+ community but I believe due to lack of enforcement, they lost that designation a couple of years ago. They can still call it a Retirement Community, because that phrase has no minimum legal standards.

The Villages may have lost their over-55 designation, but they still advertise it that way on their website.

[ron32162]

Wrong

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by ron32162

Wrong

What is wrong?

[oldtimes]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Are you referring to a specific rule? I cannot find any such rule. Here is a recent article I found:

"The population of the Villages grows by approximately 4,500 annually. To maintain its 55+ status under federal law, at least 80 percent of homes must be occupied by at least one person who is 55 years of age or older. The average age in The Villages for a male is 62 and female is 60."

Also, I have read other news articles where The Villages is trying to attract younger residents, and they may allow more under-55 residents in certain areas of The Villages.

This was taken directly from my deed restrictions:

ARTICLE V. USE RESTRICTIONS
The Subdivision shall be occupied and used only as follows:
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.
No person under nineteen (19) years of age may be a permanent resident of a home, except that persons below the age of nineteen (19) years may be permitted to visit and temporarily reside for periods not exceeding thirty (30) days in total in any calendar year period, 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 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, it being the intent that at least 80% of the units shall at all times have at least one resident fifty-five (55) years of age or older. The Declarant shall establish rules, regulations policies and procedures for the purpose of assuring that the foregoing required percentages of adult occupancy are maintained at all times. The Declarant or its designee shall have the sole and absolute authority to deny occupancy of a home by any person(s) who would thereby create a violation of the aforesaid percentages of adult occupancy. Permanent occupancy or residency may be further defined in the Rules and Regulationsof the Subdivision as may be promulgated by the Declarant or its designee from time to time. All residents shall certify from time to time as requested by the Declarant, the names and dates of birth of all occupants of a home.

Section 2. No business of any kind shall be conducted on any residence with the exception of the business of Declarant and the transferees of Declarant in developing and selling all of the Homesites as provided herein

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by oldtimes

This was taken directly from my deed restrictions:

ARTICLE V. USE RESTRICTIONS
The Subdivision shall be occupied and used only as follows:
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.
No person under nineteen (19) years of age may be a permanent resident of a home, except that persons below the age of nineteen (19) years may be permitted to visit and temporarily reside for periods not exceeding thirty (30) days in total in any calendar year period, 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 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, it being the intent that at least 80% of the units shall at all times have at least one resident fifty-five (55) years of age or older. The Declarant shall establish rules, regulations policies and procedures for the purpose of assuring that the foregoing required percentages of adult occupancy are maintained at all times. The Declarant or its designee shall have the sole and absolute authority to deny occupancy of a home by any person(s) who would thereby create a violation of the aforesaid percentages of adult occupancy. Permanent occupancy or residency may be further defined in the Rules and Regulationsof the Subdivision as may be promulgated by the Declarant or its designee from time to time. All residents shall certify from time to time as requested by the Declarant, the names and dates of birth of all occupants of a home.

Section 2. No business of any kind shall be conducted on any residence with the exception of the business of Declarant and the transferees of Declarant in developing and selling all of the Homesites as provided herein

My deed restrictions between 466A and 44 are significantly different.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by oldtimes

This was taken directly from my deed restrictions:

ARTICLE V. USE RESTRICTIONS
The Subdivision shall be occupied and used only as follows:
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.
No person under nineteen (19) years of age may be a permanent resident of a home, except that persons below the age of nineteen (19) years may be permitted to visit and temporarily reside for periods not exceeding thirty (30) days in total in any calendar year period, 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 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, it being the intent that at least 80% of the units shall at all times have at least one resident fifty-five (55) years of age or older. The Declarant shall establish rules, regulations policies and procedures for the purpose of assuring that the foregoing required percentages of adult occupancy are maintained at all times. The Declarant or its designee shall have the sole and absolute authority to deny occupancy of a home by any person(s) who would thereby create a violation of the aforesaid percentages of adult occupancy. Permanent occupancy or residency may be further defined in the Rules and Regulationsof the Subdivision as may be promulgated by the Declarant or its designee from time to time. All residents shall certify from time to time as requested by the Declarant, the names and dates of birth of all occupants of a home.

Section 2. No business of any kind shall be conducted on any residence with the exception of the business of Declarant and the transferees of Declarant in developing and selling all of the Homesites as provided herein

Thank you. Obviously, "all homes" does not mean all homes. There are a lot of exceptions to the over-55 rule. It would be interesting to see what hardship exceptions the developer has established, and if they have documented them. I know several couples living in The Villages who are under 55 and I don't understand what hardship they have. They have fulltime jobs.