[Gladys Turnip]

There sure seems to be a lot of people who are upset with the ability of neighbors to anonymously report (alleged) violations of our deed restrictions.

I think these people are missing the point.

Starting from the beginning, the purpose of the deed restrictions is to safeguard the long-term value of neighboring properties and the community at large. We all agreed to these restrictions when we chose to buy a house in The Villages.

Sort of like motherhood and apple pie, I don’t see how anybody could be against wanting to uphold the value of their home.

Next let’s look at the parties involved in a deed restriction violation. There are only two:

(1) The homeowner (who may or may not be in violation), and

(2) The CDD/Developer aka The Villages Community Standards Department (CSD), who has the power to compel compliance with and enforce deed restrictions.

A neighbor should not even be involved, but if he is, he has no power to do anything. All he can do is bring a potential alleged violation to the attention of the CSD. The CSD then decides whether or not to VERIFY the complaint (that is, to dismiss it or pursue it).

People worry that a person who files a complaint – a so called Troll – might be reporting in bad faith, and that the report might be frivolous or even vengeful. But so what? If the alleged violation has no merit, the CSD will simply ignore/dismiss it; end of story. On the other hand, if there is an actual deed violation, we should all want the CSD to take the necessary steps to correct the situation in order to protect the value of the homes in our community.

If people want to be angry with someone, perhaps it should not be with the people who report potential violations, but in fact should be with The Villages (the CSD). Why? Because they have completely abdicated their role in monitoring compliance. In most jurisdictions throughout the country, whoever imposes deed restrictions (the Developer/CDD/CSD in our case), is also tasked with monitoring compliance and enforcement. To monitor, most places hire someone to simply drive around the neighborhood, pay attention, and notice if any properties may be in violation.

But oddly, in The Villages, the developer, the CDDs, and the CSD (that is, the people who created the long list of deed restrictions in the first place) have all washed their hands of the entire process of monitoring compliance, leaving it up to residents to bring (even obvious) potential violations to their attention. By their own words in the CDD Community Standards FAQs: “…reporting potential violations will be a complaint-driven process. Potential violations are NOT reported by Community Standards, Community Watch, or any other District department."

This hands-off position is not only unique, but also seems to make no sense given that Community Watch drives around all day anyway. Seems goofy to instruct these employees to turn a blind eye to possible deed violations, even if egregious.

Back to the original point about anonymous reports ….. I don’t see how you can get mad at someone who is merely trying to protect the value of the homes in our community; that is, protecting the value of YOUR home.

A lot of people seem to think that CDD 5 has it all figured out because reports of violations can no longer be anonymous, and thus they now get a lot fewer reports. But of course fewer reports do not mean there are fewer violations. It most likely simply means that CDD 5 will begin looking like a run-down trailer park sooner than other CDDs in The Villages because NO ONE is taking action to protect the aesthetic values that we all agreed to when we purchased our homes.

Okay, thanks for listening. I need to go now to set up the new trampoline in my front yard, right next to the 1979 Ford Pinto up on blocks. I’m sure no one will complain.

[Mortal1]

Kudos for putting it so well. If I see your trampoline or the ford pinto on blocks I'll happily provide my name and let the cdd know.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Gladys Turnip

There sure seems to be a lot of people who are upset with the ability of neighbors to anonymously report (alleged) violations of our deed restrictions.

I think these people are missing the point.

Starting from the beginning, the purpose of the deed restrictions is to safeguard the long-term value of neighboring properties and the community at large. We all agreed to these restrictions when we chose to buy a house in The Villages.

Sort of like motherhood and apple pie, I don’t see how anybody could be against wanting to uphold the value of their home.

Next let’s look at the parties involved in a deed restriction violation. There are only two:

(1) The homeowner (who may or may not be in violation), and

(2) The CDD/Developer aka The Villages Community Standards Department (CSD), who has the power to compel compliance with and enforce deed restrictions.

A neighbor should not even be involved, but if he is, he has no power to do anything. All he can do is bring a potential alleged violation to the attention of the CSD. The CSD then decides whether or not to VERIFY the complaint (that is, to dismiss it or pursue it).

People worry that a person who files a complaint – a so called Troll – might be reporting in bad faith, and that the report might be frivolous or even vengeful. But so what? If the alleged violation has no merit, the CSD will simply ignore/dismiss it; end of story. On the other hand, if there is an actual deed violation, we should all want the CSD to take the necessary steps to correct the situation in order to protect the value of the homes in our community.

If people want to be angry with someone, perhaps it should not be with the people who report potential violations, but in fact should be with The Villages (the CSD). Why? Because they have completely abdicated their role in monitoring compliance. In most jurisdictions throughout the country, whoever imposes deed restrictions (the Developer/CDD/CSD in our case), is also tasked with monitoring compliance and enforcement. To monitor, most places hire someone to simply drive around the neighborhood, pay attention, and notice if any properties may be in violation.

But oddly, in The Villages, the developer, the CDDs, and the CSD (that is, the people who created the long list of deed restrictions in the first place) have all washed their hands of the entire process of monitoring compliance, leaving it up to residents to bring (even obvious) potential violations to their attention. By their own words in the CDD Community Standards FAQs: “…reporting potential violations will be a complaint-driven process. Potential violations are NOT reported by Community Standards, Community Watch, or any other District department."

This hands-off position is not only unique, but also seems to make no sense given that Community Watch drives around all day anyway. Seems goofy to instruct these employees to turn a blind eye to possible deed violations, even if egregious.

Back to the original point about anonymous reports ….. I don’t see how you can get mad at someone who is merely trying to protect the value of the homes in our community; that is, protecting the value of YOUR home.

A lot of people seem to think that CDD 5 has it all figured out because reports of violations can no longer be anonymous, and thus they now get a lot fewer reports. But of course fewer reports do not mean there are fewer violations. It most likely simply means that CDD 5 will begin looking like a run-down trailer park sooner than other CDDs in The Villages because NO ONE is taking action to protect the aesthetic values that we all agreed to when we purchased our homes.

Okay, thanks for listening. I need to go now to set up the new trampoline in my front yard, right next to the 1979 Ford Pinto up on blocks. I’m sure no one will complain.

Great post, and points.

I totally agree that the powers-that-be "have all washed their hands of the entire process of monitoring compliance". Just why, I cannot speculate. But it would make sense to task Community Watch with monitoring properties: not so much for the picayune stuff such as ugly flamingoes, white crosses, lawns a bit beyond their mowing schedule, etc.--the more officious among us who care about such things can still report those and more power to them if they do--but the major stuff. Lawns overgrown with weeds. Windows fixed with duct tape. Significant mold on the siding. RVs parked on the street for weeks at a time. Stuff like that. THOSE are the things that negatively impact property values, and I think it is clear that the powers-that-be SHOULD be taking the responsibility to see to it that such things are controlled.

[vintageogauge]

There is a part of this that I don't understand regarding the violators. First of all I don't personally have a problem with the little white crosses or with the metal birds in front lawns. However, I have asked no less than 6 owners having the white crosses in their front yards "why don't you place the cross on your front door or make a planter with a cross both of which are allowed?" Not one offered to do it nor did even one answer the question, the only answer I got was "I'm allowed to profess my faith" which of course is true but they are not allowed to put the ornament in/on their front lawn.

[Stu from NYC]

The problem I have is people driving around looking for things they can report, aka two old biddies.

[Byte1]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

There is a part of this that I don't understand regarding the violators. First of all I don't personally have a problem with the little white crosses or with the metal birds in front lawns. However, I have asked no less than 6 owners having the white crosses in their front yards "why don't you place the cross on your front door or make a planter with a cross both of which are allowed?" Not one offered to do it nor did even one answer the question, the only answer I got was "I'm allowed to profess my faith" which of course is true but they are not allowed to put the ornament in/on their front lawn.

I agree with what you said........HOWEVER..........how many on here have never violated the speed limit? Not even to pass someone going five miles an hour under the limit? Rules are not LAWS. There are compromises, flexibility for almost all rules. Just because someone puts one of those little crosses in their yard, that does not mean that tomorrow they plan to put an old rusted truck on blocks in their yard. I bet many of the ones complaining about violations to the rules are also lenient when it comes to what they think of illegal aliens violating our borders. Of course, that is a LAW that is broken, not a rule. That said, there is also the rule of law. However, we are speaking of civil or tort rules, not criminal law.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Great post, and points.

I totally agree that the powers-that-be "have all washed their hands of the entire process of monitoring compliance".

Actually, they have done way worse than that, they have made the whole thing a sham by deciding to selectively enforce deed restriction violations. We’re coming after you if you have the audacity to put a little white cross in your garden, but if you’re disrupting the entire neighborhood by running a revolving door short term AIRBNB operation out of your home we’ll look the other way. What kind of a message does that send? Either enforce all violations or let people do whatever they want.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Gladys Turnip

There sure seems to be a lot of people who are upset with the ability of neighbors to anonymously report (alleged) violations of our deed restrictions.

I think these people are missing the point.

Starting from the beginning, the purpose of the deed restrictions is to safeguard the long-term value of neighboring properties and the community at large. We all agreed to these restrictions when we chose to buy a house in The Villages.

Sort of like motherhood and apple pie, I don’t see how anybody could be against wanting to uphold the value of their home.

Next let’s look at the parties involved in a deed restriction violation. There are only two:

(1) The homeowner (who may or may not be in violation), and

(2) The CDD/Developer aka The Villages Community Standards Department (CSD), who has the power to compel compliance with and enforce deed restrictions.

A neighbor should not even be involved, but if he is, he has no power to do anything. All he can do is bring a potential alleged violation to the attention of the CSD. The CSD then decides whether or not to VERIFY the complaint (that is, to dismiss it or pursue it).

People worry that a person who files a complaint – a so called Troll – might be reporting in bad faith, and that the report might be frivolous or even vengeful. But so what? If the alleged violation has no merit, the CSD will simply ignore/dismiss it; end of story. On the other hand, if there is an actual deed violation, we should all want the CSD to take the necessary steps to correct the situation in order to protect the value of the homes in our community.

If people want to be angry with someone, perhaps it should not be with the people who report potential violations, but in fact should be with The Villages (the CSD). Why? Because they have completely abdicated their role in monitoring compliance. In most jurisdictions throughout the country, whoever imposes deed restrictions (the Developer/CDD/CSD in our case), is also tasked with monitoring compliance and enforcement. To monitor, most places hire someone to simply drive around the neighborhood, pay attention, and notice if any properties may be in violation.

But oddly, in The Villages, the developer, the CDDs, and the CSD (that is, the people who created the long list of deed restrictions in the first place) have all washed their hands of the entire process of monitoring compliance, leaving it up to residents to bring (even obvious) potential violations to their attention. By their own words in the CDD Community Standards FAQs: “…reporting potential violations will be a complaint-driven process. Potential violations are NOT reported by Community Standards, Community Watch, or any other District department."

This hands-off position is not only unique, but also seems to make no sense given that Community Watch drives around all day anyway. Seems goofy to instruct these employees to turn a blind eye to possible deed violations, even if egregious.

Back to the original point about anonymous reports ….. I don’t see how you can get mad at someone who is merely trying to protect the value of the homes in our community; that is, protecting the value of YOUR home.

A lot of people seem to think that CDD 5 has it all figured out because reports of violations can no longer be anonymous, and thus they now get a lot fewer reports. But of course fewer reports do not mean there are fewer violations. It most likely simply means that CDD 5 will begin looking like a run-down trailer park sooner than other CDDs in The Villages because NO ONE is taking action to protect the aesthetic values that we all agreed to when we purchased our homes.

Okay, thanks for listening. I need to go now to set up the new trampoline in my front yard, right next to the 1979 Ford Pinto up on blocks. I’m sure no one will complain.

CDD 5 to end anonymous complaints


So, did you miss this thread with108 posts covering your topic? Or are you just trying to stir the pot back up.
It was beaten to death on that thread and the duplicate posts will continue here.

[JoMar]

If the neighborhood is satisfied then there will be no complaints. Hiring someone or asking CSD to report makes no sense to me. As stated, the restrictions are intended to support home values. If the neighborhood believes the violations will not have an impact then they may leave it alone. Of course definition of the neighborhood is questionable. I also support that the reporter should provide who they are but that should be kept confidential, that helps insure that the person reporting lives within the neighborhood. We had an instance where a neighbor had landscaping that was less than one foot over the line that faced the street and was reported by someone that lived several miles (yes miles) from us. Because it was over the line the neighbor had to have everything moved.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

actually, they have done way worse than that, they have made the whole thing a sham by deciding to selectively enforce deed restriction violations. We’re coming after you if you have the audacity to put a little white cross in your garden, but if you’re disrupting the entire neighborhood by running a revolving door short term airbnb operation out of your home we’ll look the other way. What kind of a message does that send? Either enforce all violations or let people do whatever they want.

bingo!!!!

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

The problem I have is people driving around looking for things they can report, aka two old biddies.

What harm are they doing?

[El Gout Toe]

Originally Posted by Gladys Turnip

There sure seems to be a lot of people who are upset with the ability of neighbors to anonymously report (alleged) violations of our deed restrictions.

I think these people are missing the point.

Starting from the beginning, the purpose of the deed restrictions is to safeguard the long-term value of neighboring properties and the community at large. We all agreed to these restrictions when we chose to buy a house in The Villages.

Sort of like motherhood and apple pie, I don’t see how anybody could be against wanting to uphold the value of their home.

Next let’s look at the parties involved in a deed restriction violation. There are only two:

(1) The homeowner (who may or may not be in violation), and

(2) The CDD/Developer aka The Villages Community Standards Department (CSD), who has the power to compel compliance with and enforce deed restrictions.

A neighbor should not even be involved, but if he is, he has no power to do anything. All he can do is bring a potential alleged violation to the attention of the CSD. The CSD then decides whether or not to VERIFY the complaint (that is, to dismiss it or pursue it).

People worry that a person who files a complaint – a so called Troll – might be reporting in bad faith, and that the report might be frivolous or even vengeful. But so what? If the alleged violation has no merit, the CSD will simply ignore/dismiss it; end of story. On the other hand, if there is an actual deed violation, we should all want the CSD to take the necessary steps to correct the situation in order to protect the value of the homes in our community.

If people want to be angry with someone, perhaps it should not be with the people who report potential violations, but in fact should be with The Villages (the CSD). Why? Because they have completely abdicated their role in monitoring compliance. In most jurisdictions throughout the country, whoever imposes deed restrictions (the Developer/CDD/CSD in our case), is also tasked with monitoring compliance and enforcement. To monitor, most places hire someone to simply drive around the neighborhood, pay attention, and notice if any properties may be in violation.

But oddly, in The Villages, the developer, the CDDs, and the CSD (that is, the people who created the long list of deed restrictions in the first place) have all washed their hands of the entire process of monitoring compliance, leaving it up to residents to bring (even obvious) potential violations to their attention. By their own words in the CDD Community Standards FAQs: “…reporting potential violations will be a complaint-driven process. Potential violations are NOT reported by Community Standards, Community Watch, or any other District department."

This hands-off position is not only unique, but also seems to make no sense given that Community Watch drives around all day anyway. Seems goofy to instruct these employees to turn a blind eye to possible deed violations, even if egregious.

Back to the original point about anonymous reports ….. I don’t see how you can get mad at someone who is merely trying to protect the value of the homes in our community; that is, protecting the value of YOUR home.

A lot of people seem to think that CDD 5 has it all figured out because reports of violations can no longer be anonymous, and thus they now get a lot fewer reports. But of course fewer reports do not mean there are fewer violations. It most likely simply means that CDD 5 will begin looking like a run-down trailer park sooner than other CDDs in The Villages because NO ONE is taking action to protect the aesthetic values that we all agreed to when we purchased our homes.

Okay, thanks for listening. I need to go now to set up the new trampoline in my front yard, right next to the 1979 Ford Pinto up on blocks. I’m sure no one will complain.

Well said Gladys!!! You and my wife Randi would get along great. She used to be a code enforcement officer in her native France and was known as "Beau Castor" for her diligence.

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

The problem I have is people driving around looking for things they can report, aka two old biddies.

I doubt you even know for sure they exist. I for one think they do NOT. Just an urban legend. But like you, I have no proof either way.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Great post, and points.

I totally agree that the powers-that-be "have all washed their hands of the entire process of monitoring compliance". Just why, I cannot speculate. But it would make sense to task Community Watch with monitoring properties: not so much for the picayune stuff such as ugly flamingoes, white crosses, lawns a bit beyond their mowing schedule, etc.--the more officious among us who care about such things can still report those and more power to them if they do--but the major stuff. Lawns overgrown with weeds. Windows fixed with duct tape. Significant mold on the siding. RVs parked on the street for weeks at a time. Stuff like that. THOSE are the things that negatively impact property values, and I think it is clear that the powers-that-be SHOULD be taking the responsibility to see to it that such things are controlled.

The answer is simple. Keeping costs down means a greater margin and that is simply good business practice. I am all for anonymous reporting for free.

Also some things are out of the control of anyone but the bank who owns the property in disrepair or with the weeds. That is beyond the developers powers to change. People own their property and if they don't pay their mortgage the bank then owns it and the bank is getting fined.

The developers do an excellent job of maintaining green space and common areas and they make wise decisions to dodge being much in public view. I have to say again what I have always said; THEY AREN'T OUR MOTHER.

I think offensive yard art is not picayune. I think that it destroys the look of the neighborhood. We have opted in our neighborhood before this one to live in a neighborhood with rules against junky looks. I haven't ever in the sixteen years I've lived here seen an RV stay for an inordinate amount of time in a driveway.

I like the way things have been and I think the district that is outing the people for reporting offensive breeches of deed restictions are really doing it wrong and their area will suffer because of it.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

The problem I have is people driving around looking for things they can report, aka two old biddies.

That's not a "problem" ... that's how the system is supposed to work. They should be getting paid.