[asianthree]

Everyone seems to think that hundreds of people read or didn’t read deed restrictions, and choose to buck the system. Really not true.

Wondering how many posters in this thread, have actually had a complaint filed against them. If you had, you have first hand knowledge, that not all complaints are legitimate. I would say most are in compliance, and being new to the area, might have placed a pinwheel from their previous house. Passing neighbors LTK it not allowed. No harm no fowl. It’s removed.

In our case the 80 plus complaints filed on the same day, only a handful were true compliance issues. Our old neighborhood sent out the email blast on deed restriction issues, so everyone could fix potential problems before a fine May be levied.
6 garden flags, 3 small garden figures, 1 sundial, 1 gazing ball. Our potluck sign in the driveway of meeting 2 days later(cute painted sign with balloons)

And our 1 foot cross, that was a vine from a Hawaiian plant, in dormant stage, not a cross, so not a deed issue.

So out of 80 plus complaints, only a hand full needed to be corrected. Many were moving in, so what was construed as lawn ornaments was really just item being put away.
Since this was a brand new neighborhood, only weeks old, all issues were removed at the first visit of compliance personnel. Not one resident was angered or defiant to leave the item on their lawn or flowerbed.

Apologies, from the few, at the next neighborhood potluck, and pics of the chosen 2 people who drove through the neighborhood filing the 80 complaints. Great potluck meeting, and we continued using the driveway potluck sign, placing at the home of the next gathering

[midiwiz]

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.

Nice write up, and in fact most HOAs have gone the hands off route due to the fact that the courts will side with the homeowner first in this state. The exception is the gestapo, sorry TV. I spent just shy of 4 years as a HOA president and what I can tell you is that a trampoline in the front yard does NOT decrease the value of the home and neighbors, it MAY inhibit a faster sale, but in this state the value is the value.

I have been witness to a person buying an abandoned home, stench inside, actually so bad it didn't only not pass inspection it also needed to be torn down and rebuilt due to the pipes in the foundation being broken. House sold, and not for cheap, it went for full price as if nothing was wrong with it.

So this stuff doesn't protect your values, what it does do is add to the marketing of the development. You've just been convinced over time that all these regulations are for your benefit, they actually aren't.

Took me a couple years in that HOA president seat to learn that lesson.

[MangoMama]

I don’t think the community watch volunteers should be on rule patrol.

The term “ watch” is exactly what these neighbors do. They watch for open doors, an enormous amount of newspapers piled in the drive, a broken window. All signs of a community member having a distressful situation.

Patrollers should not be rule enforcers. Why? Because most people who volunteer for authority positions can turn into power freaks, especially if one violator is ticketed and another isn’t.

Let people have some freedom on their property. Our only distinguishing feature shouldn’t be the number on the house, and the color of the roof.

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.

ditto.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Everyone seems to think that hundreds of people read or didn’t read deed restrictions, and choose to buck the system. Really not true.

Wondering how many posters in this thread, have actually had a complaint filed against them. If you had, you have first hand knowledge, that not all complaints are legitimate. I would say most are in compliance, and being new to the area, might have placed a pinwheel from their previous house. Passing neighbors LTK it not allowed. No harm no fowl. It’s removed.

In our case the 80 plus complaints filed on the same day, only a handful were true compliance issues. Our old neighborhood sent out the email blast on deed restriction issues, so everyone could fix potential problems before a fine May be levied.
6 garden flags, 3 small garden figures, 1 sundial, 1 gazing ball. Our potluck sign in the driveway of meeting 2 days later(cute painted sign with balloons)

And our 1 foot cross, that was a vine from a Hawaiian plant, in dormant stage, not a cross, so not a deed issue.

So out of 80 plus complaints, only a hand full needed to be corrected. Many were moving in, so what was construed as lawn ornaments was really just item being put away.

Since this was a brand new neighborhood, only weeks old, all issues were removed at the first visit of compliance personnel. Not one resident was angered or defiant to leave the item on their lawn or flowerbed.

...

We had a similar situation with an individual shotgunning dozens of complaints where many were erroneous.

For example, complaining landscaping that was installed by the developer before sale was not approved. This was dismissed with a phone call.

I had the impression complaints are handled by the Developer for some period (1yr) after an area is complete.

[Byte1]

Glad to see so many rule abiding citizens in the Villages. I hope that since you believe in living up to the rules of the Villages, you all will also be willing to live up to the LAWS in the Villages and quit running STOP signs, use your turn signals and do not exceed the speed limit when attempting to make your T time. And for the poster that said the rules ARE laws, not true. But, if you are so adamant about rules, surely you will not get upset when the good citizens of our community complain about your irresponsible operation of golf carts and cars. And I know that NONE of you have ever driven a golf cart after having a couple of beverages after playing golf. That would be breaking the LAW and we know that none of you would do that.
Rules are flexible. If you can't see that, then maybe you should move to where the HOA care-takes your property and makes it look exactly like your neighbors.
A modest personalization of ones' property is not the same as old trucks, sofas and appliances littering your property.
"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by midiwiz

Nice write up, and in fact most HOAs have gone the hands off route due to the fact that the courts will side with the homeowner first in this state. The exception is the gestapo, sorry TV. I spent just shy of 4 years as a HOA president and what I can tell you is that a trampoline in the front yard does NOT decrease the value of the home and neighbors, it MAY inhibit a faster sale, but in this state the value is the value.

I have been witness to a person buying an abandoned home, stench inside, actually so bad it didn't only not pass inspection it also needed to be torn down and rebuilt due to the pipes in the foundation being broken. House sold, and not for cheap, it went for full price as if nothing was wrong with it.

So this stuff doesn't protect your values, what it does do is add to the marketing of the development. You've just been convinced over time that all these regulations are for your benefit, they actually aren't.

Took me a couple years in that HOA president seat to learn that lesson.

Most of the United States is protected by local or state Zoning Regulations. Why? In order to orderly develop land, housing and businesses and protect land owners from near by, non-compatible uses.

Same as Deed Restrictions. If Developers didn't see value in them, they wouldn't adopt them. If Buyers didn't see the benefits, they wouldn't buy.

The reason Condominiums are so popular, is the same reason "managed neighborhoods" are so ubiquitous. People want to know what they're buying and know it will remain essentially the same.

Courts in the US, almost unfailingly enforce Zoning and Deed Compliance.

[Dlbonivich]

An Airbnb is not a deed restriction. All restrictions are on the CDD website. Follow them and you will be fine. The little white cross people would probably get mad if I erected a Virgin Mary statue or a 10 ft high satan, you are never going to please everyone. Put your cross out on religious holidays. If you love god and Jesus no one needs to know but you. You can profess your love by your actions and deeds.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk

Or here's a crazy idea. Maybe everyone who AGREED to the deed restrictions simply honor their written promise and not violate the terms. Now wouldn't that be easier?

In TV? When pigs fly!

Too many F.I.P. live here. "Laws for thee, but not for me"...

[NavyBoy]

Originally Posted by 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.

agree.....cdd 5 were not smart and will end up looking like wildwood or worse

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Altavia

We had a similar situation with an individual shotgunning dozens of complaints where many were erroneous.

For example, complaining landscaping that was installed by the developer before sale was not approved. This was dismissed with a phone call.

I had the impression complaints are handled by the Developer for some period (1yr) after an area is complete.

Same at our neighborhood, 65% of complaints filed by the gruesome twosome, was landscaping, 8 houses hadn’t even closed yet.

That’s why I don’t get why Everyone is so bent on saying you aren’t abiding by the rules in place. When in reality those who travel to different areas miles away from their home base, and file 100 complaints, need help from a medical provider.

Just because they file complaints, doesn’t mean there are infractions, just couple people who really have such a miserable life, that they need inflict upon others.

Those who have deed violations and refuse to abide (the white cross lawsuit) are very few. Most just say thank for letting me know, and take care of the item.

Some of new TV residents, May have read their restrictions, and just plain forgot that item couldn’t be in their yard. I find that many times with dementia people, who just don’t remember from one day to the next.

Our parents as they aged in place, put out a garden flag, so they could find their house easily in the dark, I had to let them know it needed to be removed. Guessing some on this site would burn them at the stake for not following deed restrictions

[Fastskiguy]

Originally Posted by Altavia

I don't understand why anyone doesn't understand some people won't follow rules :-)

Well I certainly have friends who like to sometimes lean on the rules pretty hard, no doubt about that. Sometimes I wonder if it is just for sport?

Joe

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Altavia

We had a similar situation with an individual shotgunning dozens of complaints where many were erroneous.

For example, complaining landscaping that was installed by the developer before sale was not approved. This was dismissed with a phone call.

I had the impression complaints are handled by the Developer for some period (1yr) after an area is complete.

The quoted post refers to something that has not been, at least to my knowledge, discussed in any detail. Sure, there may be biddies on golf carts making the rounds, or neighbors reporting, but it is possible that a lot of those people are not acting out of vindictiveness or officiousness but may be simply misunderstanding the rules.

Remembering a post further up, the writer referenced something like 100 reports with only something like eleven proving to be legitimate. That is a positive thing; it is only one example but it indicates that Villagers are not as out-of-compliance with the rules as many seem to believe. But it costs time and money to check each report. Additionally such a high percentage of baseless complaints is a guarantee that there will be hard feelings. No one likes having to debunk a complaint is without merit. Again going by the example quoted, there are going to be 89 P.O.'ed and suspicious people wondering just who in their neighborhood is messing with them, vs. only eleven who actually have to fix something. NOT a good situation.

The ONLY logical solution is to have those who made the rules in the first place own up to their responsibility of checking for violations and then enforcing the rule when the homeowner in question is out of compliance.

[nn0wheremann]

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.
…

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.

Pinto, OK, but don’t try a 63 Rambler!

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Dlbonivich

An Airbnb is not a deed restriction.

Deed restrictions state that one cannot run a business out of a home and that homes are restricted to single family residential use. Running an Airbnb out of a home, while living in the home simultaneously, violates both deed restrictions.