[BrianL99]

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.

What a great job with your Post. I don't think you'd missing a legal distinction or position. We the residents, are 3rd Party Beneficiaries of the Deed Restrictions and other rules. I *think* we would have a perfect right to sue for enforcement and perhaps (I'll refrain from making this sound like a like opinion, because I'll get pummeled) we (the residents/owners) likely have the right to sue the Developer (or whatever entity is by deed and covenant) is obligated to enforce the Restrictions.

What CDD 5 has seemingly done, is completely abrogated their responsibility to the residents who want what they bought ... a Deed Restricted Residence. I'd love to see some lawyer, take up the issue. I don't see how they can refuse to enforce a valid Restriction, regardless of how they became aware of the violation.

[blueash]

Originally Posted by JoMar

t 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. .

By Florida law all governmental documents, with some exceptions, are public records. All CDD's are required to adhere to that public record requirement. They cannot keep the identification of the reporter confidential. I didn't fact check this, but was told this in the past so I will happily welcome a legal correction if I am wrong.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

What harm are they doing?

In totalitarian countries your neighbors report on you to the govt. Is that a good thing?

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

In totalitarian countries your neighbors report on you to the govt. Is that a good thing?

Witch hunt. Now that is entertainment.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I have a trampoline on my front porch.

[Pairadocs]

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 stated and so true. Was discussing the situation here with relatives visiting for Thanksgiving and who live in a similar golf community in Arkansas. They asked for clarification about residents' being responsible for community covenants (standards), commenting that they had put their trash receptacle about 2-3' from where it is to be placed on pick up day (ONE TIME) and they received a warning in the mail ! A neighbor received a notice on her door concerning a warning to have her railing sanded for "rough surfaces" and painted. They were surprised that a community like the villages did not have similar standards, as you so eloquently stated.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

In totalitarian countries your neighbors report on you to the govt. Is that a good thing?

Definitely not a good thing ! But, in cases of public safety, extreme noise, fighting, loud parties, that type of thing, I realize one has a a responsibility to call police, but to enforce community standards, where security/watch people patrol constantly (and probably at GREAT COST for 24/7/365) you would think the burden would be on those employees to report obvious violations rather than leave it up to the residents ? Kind of unusual for these types of communities actually.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

What harm are they doing?

So you agree a person from piedmont should travel by cart to fernandina to drive through that neighborhood filling out a complaint (usually a 100) that they deemed a infraction.

They don’t live even close to that neighborhood, but since they fished out their own neighborhood, and all close by, they travel on, to different CDD’s.

I get neighbors a block over walking or driving past a house who has a plant that looks like it may or not be a cross that is offensive to the walker to write a complaint.

I just don’t get why one would travel miles to an area they would never frequent, to write hundreds of complaints? Is it a get even for an infraction that was leveled on their home? Or just a compulsive disorder to have upheaval wherever they deemed offensive, true or not.

Out of the 80 plus complaint written in our old neighborhood, only 11 were against deed restrictions.

So think of the amount of time to read hundreds of what May or not be a issue, individually respond to the complaints, then require them to waste resources such as gas to find out it’s a non issue. All because someone who lives 10 miles away is choosing this is “Their life long dream in Retirement to do unto to others that was probably done to them.

Because they chose that your home needs to be in line with their views. In their mind they are the “Chosen One”. Not a governing employee, a person who lives miles from you.

Where does one think the money and resources come from to pay for this? In our case it was a vine that had curled around to look like a cross, if you turned sideways and looked upside down. And NO, there would never be a cross in my yard.

Let those who live near keep their streets in compliance, travelers need not bother

[mikeycereal]

"Eeew! Pink flamingos!! Eeeww!!!"

[Challenger]

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.

Agree with this post, almost 100 per cent. Neighbors who are subject to the same area deed restrictions can seek the intervention of the courts in the dispute. This does occur occasionally in other areas of the country. Problem is that this course can become very expensive for the complainig party to pursue.

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

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

May be truth in a few instances. Largely and "Urban Legend"

[Sandy and Ed]

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.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!

Well said. I for one am not going to shoot the messenger of truth and logic.

Of course requiring reporters of violations to give their names will cause less reports! Why would I want to create an enemy of a neighbor who feels entitled to ignore a regulation. I should just “ mind my own business” if they want to raise chickens in their courtyard villa or put up a visible storage shed on th side of their home. A man’s home is his castle. Right? Wrong! You are part of a society and a community - obey society’s laws and community standards. If you don’t want to, then move!

All CDDs have a responsibility to enforce the standards and not shirk that responsibility by throwing up violation reporting requirements that would curb folks from bringing issues to their attention

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

In totalitarian countries your neighbors report on you to the govt. Is that a good thing?

Most crimes are solved with significant input from "anonymous sources" No suggesting that Deed Violations are a crime.

[Mikee1]

So what, if you are in compliance they are just wasting gas and time.

If you are not in compliance you are in violation, why does it matter how it gets to the CDD?

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

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

[Byte1]

These folks are in compliance