[Cybersprings]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Looks you have a lot of issues / questions unrelated to rentals and should start many, many, many new threads.

I always find myself upvoting your posts, so I think we are generally on the same page, and I am guessing that from the big applause that you were able to see through my specific issues not having anything to do with rentals, and my interjected sarcasm questions that my point is (which I think I see you making also) that not all problems are cause by renters/snow birds and that we don't need to outlaw everything that you (proverbial you, not you you) don't happen to do or like.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by Cybersprings

I always find myself upvoting your posts, so I think we are generally on the same page, and I am guessing that from the big applause that you were able to see through my specific issues not having anything to do with rentals, and my interjected sarcasm questions that my point is (which I think I see you making also) that not all problems are cause by renters/snow birds and that we don't need to outlaw everything that you (proverbial you, not you you) don't happen to do or like.

Again, obfuscating… do you think then this topic will go away by saying, we have many other issues also?

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Normal

We’ll just surround your house with rentals and you can tell us if life improved or if your property value increased….lol

I certainly agree, my concern and amazement is only how many people post on here without having any understanding of how a development like this differs from a "town, city" (municipality), how many have no idea how our retail and recreational "areas" differ from legal zoning areas as they knew them form where ever they came from ? Also, so many seem to totally misunderstand that officers of the sheriff department of their county, do not, CAN NOT, legally enforce "covenants". The Villages USED to hold class for new residents on HOW their new "government" works; that their is not mayor, that they do not have a city council, a zoning board, the country (3 different ones at present in the villages development) and the state's existing "laws" have to be followed. It's not just here, I truly feel people just do not get the basic instruction in government and civics they will need to know how to proceed in issues like this in their adult life ! I also wonder just how many people are so taken by "livin the life" that they just start signing documents and have no idea what they are agreeing to ? ? Like those who complain constantly how much they pay in amenity fees for a private GATED community... LOL ! Better said, they PAY for a community that has gates that give a pretty appearance, with flowers, and little "ambassador" houses to help people find directions, NOT to determine who can enter and who can't...LOL... but some always seem to think they should ! ?
All this said, I do AGREE the STR's (short term rentals like AB&B with 43 million rentals, Home-Away, etc. ARE a growing problem not only in the Villages but all over the world. Trouble is, very few understand what it takes to stop this legally, IF at all possible. It can be done, you can find examples of the process on line. A long and expensive task.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

If you are talking homestead exemption.............you can rent and claim the exemption with certain limitations.

True ! "with certain limitations". So many seem to just enjoy (?) spouting off on "social" sites with just anything that "pops" into their heads, to me it seems not only does our development need to go back to the "old days" when residents could not be forced but were STRONGLY encouraged to go to classes so they understood how their new home's governmental structure works. So much misunderstanding of process, enforcement, etc. it's beginning to be mass confusion.

[Luisa]

We rented out first month in the Villages. It was September and I’m sure there were many empty houses and rentals. It gave the owners some extra income to pay their amenity fees, lawn maintenance, irrigation, taxes, etc.
while the house was not in use. The house was very well taken care of.
We also rent our house in California on Airbnb for 3 months a year. That extra income while the house is not in use is very helpful to us. We keep the house in even better shape when we rent it because owners, as well as renters,
are rated on their experience.
I only know of one house in my neighborhood in TV that is a rental and I’m
unaware of any problems.
I owned a rental elsewhere for 14 years. The income from that rental helped us to be able to live TV. If certain people have large comes from other sources, I’m not sure they should hold it against others for earning income or supplementing their income while providing a service to others.

[Luisa]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

I certainly agree, my concern and amazement is only how many people post on here without having any understanding of how a development like this differs from a "town, city" (municipality), how many have no idea how our retail and recreational "areas" differ from legal zoning areas as they knew them form where ever they came from ? Also, so many seem to totally misunderstand that officers of the sheriff department of their county, do not, CAN NOT, legally enforce "covenants". The Villages USED to hold class for new residents on HOW their new "government" works; that their is not mayor, that they do not have a city council, a zoning board, the country (3 different ones at present in the villages development) and the state's existing "laws" have to be followed. It's not just here, I truly feel people just do not get the basic instruction in government and civics they will need to know how to proceed in issues like this in their adult life ! I also wonder just how many people are so taken by "livin the life" that they just start signing documents and have no idea what they are agreeing to ? ? Like those who complain constantly how much they pay in amenity fees for a private GATED community... LOL ! Better said, they PAY for a community that has gates that give a pretty appearance, with flowers, and little "ambassador" houses to help people find directions, NOT to determine who can enter and who can't...LOL... but some always seem to think they should ! ?
All this said, I do AGREE the STR's (short term rentals like AB&B with 43 million rentals, Home-Away, etc. ARE a growing problem not only in the Villages but all over the world. Trouble is, very few understand what it takes to stop this legally, IF at all possible. It can be done, you can find examples of the process on line. A long and expensive task.

I love the idea of Airbnb. Obviously others love it also, since it is all around the world and very successful. I have been a renter and rented out my own home. Renting an Airbnb home is much more comfortable than staying in a hotel and you get a lot more for your money. It is fun to rent out my house on Airbnb because I like fixing it up, making it cute and comfortable, and little extras to make my guests happy. With that said my house is one and half hours from the wine country in California. Anyone interested?

[Luisa]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

Family member in a deed restricted, 55 plus, golfing community in another state just sent us (today!) a ream of information on their residents legal attempts to fight the deterioration that short term rental has done to them. For years it was scarcely noticed, then in the last 18-24 months was everywhere. No one dreamed even the houses valued at a million would ever be rented for the night ! Drinking parties, wedding receptions "guests", none of these are exaggerations. Then a tragic death of a spring break vacationer still being investigated. BUT... when it became obvious this was multiplying, not the isolated incident it was a couple years ago, they organized, got petitions, tried to work WITH the local police and county sheriff's office. Bottom line is, almost nothing can be done. Developers are just not interested in any of it, and it not really cutting into profits, despite some bad publicity, they are still selling homes, and a multitude of buyers of properties for the rental market has been brisk. Police keep trying to explain to the resident group, that there is simply nothing they can do except remove an occasional weekend party attendee, but when people complain of their drives blocked, and cars actually resting ON lawns, the police have much higher priorities. When neighbors complained of 12 people in one home, police said they have no jurisdiction for anything like that. This was a 4 BR home, and police have nothing to do with how many people, or what age, are in a house. This definitely not limited too our Villages, and it is definitely accelerating. Those heading the resident's group my relatives are in, are now working with communities all over the USA who have successfully been able to "win", extremely limited rental "rules" in their own communities to follow their steps. It is EXTREMELY expensive, VERY good attorneys needed, and all residents have to be willing to invest the money it takes to change things. Not easy !

Nobody blocking driveways or parking on lawns in TV.

[Papa_lecki]

Let’s queue the posts,

after we outlaw rentals, and 20% of the the houses are vacant for 8 months, (I am making that number up)


Greens fees increase by 25%
Restaurants close due to fewer customers
County taxes increase because no one is paying the 1% rental tax

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Velvet

I bet you don’t stay up all night drinking and listening to loud music and invite 6 of your best friends to share the accommodations with you - and that is why you are welcome. In general it is so nice to meet people who come from all over, with interesting stories to share. But, about those misfits; I can guarantee that the hostility towards those who will take advantage and abuse the welcoming nature of the Villages will increase as more and more of them come.

Increase for certain, it's been increasing exponentially for maybe 5 years, unnoticeable at first. Some will disagree, say it's always been a "problem" but we've had seasonal residents for YEARS without any uproar, rather owners or renters. It's the 2008 (?) appearance of a network of short term rentals all over the world that propelled this "problem" for cities, towns, developments... it hit all without a legal structure to support this new "concept". Traditional STATE statures simply did not cover all the possible "situations", "traditional" seasonal rentals were never a problem ... many keep in touch with permanent residents and looked forward to seeing them again. That is definitely not happening with the one and two night people. The two "in and outs" in our neighborhood of homes in the $350K to $750K range, have occupants who never even speak to residents here or make any effort to be even nod or smile when we (neighbors) attempt to greet them. I understand, they just want to jump in their car, or the golf-cart included in the rent, and go. I dislike this, but no not spend a great deal of time ranting about it in social situations since I have no solutions to offer !

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I just found out why one of the houses in our neighborhood looks like crap, now that it's been sold, and why one of my neighbors is thinking about moving. Turns out - the person who bought the house - is living in it. But she sectioned off her living room and is renting it BY THE NIGHT to whoever answers an ad in an Orlando newspaper, for only $50/night.

She parked her car blocking one neighbor's driveway a couple of times. And another time she parked IN a neighbor's driveway. And no she didn't have permission - the neighbor comes home from work at lunch time every day and wasn't able to park in her own driveway because the other person had their car in it. I've also seen an SUV outside in front of this person's house - not pulled over, but just - parked - in the road. Basically turning our street into a one-lane street.

All of this is happening with just one property in the neighborhood. I've told my neighbors next time this lady or her tenant blocks their driveway, to not confront them. Just call the police. And next time they park IN a neighbor's driveway - don't confront. Call the police.

Don't bother with community watch, they can't do anything about it. Blocking someone's driveway, and trespassing on someone's property - are both things the police are paid to handle.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Yeah, More or less I can. I taught grad school for a time. But does it matter really if they were 40 or 41? Or even 42? Huh? The thing is you’re trying to turn the topic away from the fact that the pools are not made to handle such an influx of numbers and they never had to in the past. So what’s changed? I regularly talk to people in the pool - there were several times - when I could get in, I was the ONLY resident.

Many visitors (renters, but also just our adult children and grandchildren come at holiday/vacation times, it's a fact of life) at certain times. Here's how I chose to think about it when I am frustrated: What if every home (dwelling) rather for rent or not, was occupied 100% of the time 365 days a year, which is the way most neighborhoods anywhere are. But here, I feel fortunate that there are times of the year where the number of residents is very low compared to facilities (including department stores, clothing stores, grocery stores being noticeably less crowded. I personally hate the fact that there are rentals on our street, but I am not willing to volunteer my time to take on the magnitude of the process of first changing the state laws and then working down to the county level, and then dealing with the special governmental structure of unique developments like ours ! Those who can afford it, could try to find and move to a truly private community, but if you read widely, you'll find every state is facing the multitude of problems brought on by the investment rental (tulip mania like) craze that began slowly and quietly around 2008. The true solution is not to LET the "horse get so far out of the barn" he's so far away you will never catch and corral him".

[Cybersprings]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Again, obfuscating… do you think then this topic will go away by saying, we have many other issues also?

No, part of my point is that you don't get to start outlawing everything you don't like, which is what this thread is about, what progress has been made in outlawing short term rentals. And the other part is that looking down on renters and those who rent their homes, when some full time residents are just as inconsiderate as some renters and more so then other renters.

[oldtimes]

Originally Posted by Cybersprings

No, part of my point is that you don't get to start outlawing everything you don't like, which is what this thread is about, what progress has been made in outlawing short term rentals. And the other part is that looking down on renters and those who rent their homes, when some full time residents are just as inconsiderate as some renters and more so then other renters.

This is not about regular renters. This is about houses advertised for $40 a night for up to 6 people 21 or over. Do you want that next door to you in what is supposed to be an over 55 community?

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by oldtimes

If you do a Google search for “short term rentals ruining neighborhoods” you will see that it is already a huge and growing problem. The short term rental industry has a large group of lobbyists dedicated to preventing legislation to restrict them.

I think in an over 55 community it is an even bigger problem because people buy into an over 55 community for safety and security not a revolving door of strangers in a cheap hotel.

Agreed, good post!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Philipd411

I don't think this is as big of an issue as you have made it out to be.

1,200 homes out of 80,000 is an insignificant number.

What is the advice about the ROTTEN apple affecting the whole batch? It takes just ONE rotten apple!