[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by oldtimes

The point is The Villages was sold to us as an over 55 retirement community and these short term rentals not only don’t fit that profile but are actually disruptive to it. There are deed restrictions in place but the developer has chosen not to enforce them. It will just continue to get worse.

Are rentals new? Did no one on this thread ever rent for a week? Or did you just buy from a lifestyle visit?

BTW, I would hate to have a short term (a week or less) rental next to me.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

One way to put a "damper" on some of these absentee landlords and short-term rental AirB&B situations is to alert the local tax office. Just let them know, that there is a property owner using their property as a short-term rental property, and possibly not paying their required tourism tax on the rental.

Long-term rentals are not subject to this tax. But short-term rentals absolutely are.

[firefighter4u]

I understand both sides. We just purchased a home, but can not move to TV for 2 more years. Our plan is to rent it through the Villages Property Management for those two years. Then, we'll move down there full time and become wonderful neighbors! lol I believe their shortest term rental is 7 days non prime season. We used to own a condo at Treasure Island. We rented it out and noticed that 2-3 day rentals could be a problem but we loved the 30+ day rentals!! lol

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

A demand for houses, even if only to use as a rental, would seem to drive property values up, not down.

Truly you jest, that is not true anywhere in the world. Renters, especially short term renters, have no interest in upkeep of the neighborhood, or being considerate etc. The only people who benefit from renters are the landlords everyone else suffers.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by oldtimes

It only takes one in a Villa neighborhood to be a nuisance for many. The villas are very close, there are easement issues and parking is limited.

Very difficult for the County to take up an issue which is "one in a villa neighborhood" nuisance. Mostly since TV is less than 75% of Sumter County. Then you have to go to the other counties as well.

[dewilson58]

It would be interesting to see the facts on:

How much "Investor home buying" pushed up the value of homes in TV over the last few years.

How much "Investor owners" and their actions have decreased the value of homes in TV.

[shut the front door]

It's kind of cute seeing the newbies move in and want to change things that have been going on for decades.
Bless your heart.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

It would be interesting to see the facts on:

How much "Investor home buying" pushed up the value of homes in TV over the last few years.

How much "Investor owners" and their actions have decreased the value of homes in TV.

See this is the problem, everyone likes to see their home value go up, but NOT at the cost of their Villages lifestyle - which is what The Villages Developer sells, which is what the short term renter especially, put in jeopardy. And if it was one villa out of the whole group, the neighborhood pool would not filled to the be brim with these people.

[wlasowicz]

I as one have a patio villa which is a rental. As far as I know I have not been told by any of my neighbors of complaint. My place is rented in the season at least 2 to3 months if not more to the same people . In the summer months if there is any rental business are thru Airbnb or VBRO with a minimum of a week Also have at 3 to 4 neighbors who rent us from in the low season for their adult chidden to stay in if they do not have room at their place versus a hotel . I have not done any price compassion lately of rentals like mind but in the past I would see owners rent their places like $40-$45 dollars a night You can't get a best western or comfort inn for probably under a $100. a night So if that's the case I don't to put it this way but the less desirable renter will say why get a hotel room for 100 plus when I can get a house for way less. As for the point about absent landlord I take offense to that I personally come down 1 to 2 times a year to do a top to bottom maintenance of my property to keep close new condition because it is a investment . You overlook how many full residents let their property go done in care.

[Velvet]

What I fail to understand is I thought I bought in a residential area, no commercial/business allowed. How is renting not considered a business?

[oldtimes]

Originally Posted by wlasowicz

I have not done any price compassion lately of rentals like mind but in the past I would see owners rent their places like $40-$45 dollars a night You can't get a best western or comfort inn for probably under a $100. a night So if that's the case I don't to put it this way but the less desirable renter will say why get a hotel room for 100 plus when I can get a house for way less.

Yes...this is the problem

[Normal]

Originally Posted by Packer Fan

I have had 2 rentals in the villages - one for 9 years and one for 5. I have NEVER had a complaint from a neighbor. I even ask them when I am down and they all say it is ZERO problem. Now, I don't do less that a month, and I agree the 4 day renters off AirBnB are a different type, which is why I don't rent to them. However, Condemning the whole rental business for the actions of 1 or 2 seems a bit unfair.

Here is my suggestion, instead of trying to get laws passed, why not talk to the landlord about it? You just go on the Sumter county website and find out who the owner is and get in touch with them when there are issues. Seriously, nobody wants to be a bother, they probably don't know. You may be able to get hold of them through the airbnb site also, not sure.

I am talking about short term; like the recent law written for Clearwater. In essence renting for LESS than 31 days. In residential districts, the city doesn’t allow a property owner to lease or rent their property for short-term periods, which is anything less than 31 days or a calendar month. Residential property owners who wish to rent their property can advertise for monthly rentals; they cannot advertise for daily or weekly rentals.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Truly you jest, that is not true anywhere in the world. Renters, especially short term renters, have no interest in upkeep of the neighborhood, or being considerate etc. The only people who benefit from renters are the landlords everyone else suffers.

A fixed inventory of houses and an increasing number of buyers leads to higher prices, even if those buyers are wannabe landlords.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Velvet

What I fail to understand is I thought I bought in a residential area, no commercial/business allowed. How is renting not considered a business?

That is probably not what your deed restrictions state. (some do, but not the majority that I have looked at)

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

...

The internal deed restrictions being violated by these rentals are the responsibility of the developer to enforce and they have chosen to look the other way. It’s no wonder why, restricting rentals will reduce demand for new homes since some potential home buyers won’t be able to easily generate income from their home while living there. And as anyone paying attention knows, it’s all about selling homes. Talk about the fox watching the hen house, can you say “conflict of interest”. As far as Sumter County doing something about the situation, don’t hold your breath. The county is basically controlled by the developer, and if they don’t want to address the situation don’t expect the county to act otherwise.

...

Are you sure that is how your deed restrictions read? Mine absolutely do not, mine state the owners have the right and the duty while the developers have the right but NOT the duty to enforce the deed restrictions.

All Owners shall have the right and duty to prosecute in proceedings at law or in equity against any person or persons violating or attempting to violate any covenants, conditions or reservations, either to prevent him or them from so doing, or to recover damages or any property charges for such violation. The cost of such proceedings, includiog a reasonable attorney's fee, shall be paid by the party losing said suit. In addition, the Developer shall also have the right but not the duty to enforce any such covenants, conditions or reservations as though Developer were the Owner of the Homesite, including the right to recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Developer may assign its right to enforce these covenants, conditions or reservations and to recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs to a person, committee, or governmental entity.

In addition, *some* deed restrictions include the highlighted statement below while mine do not:

Properties within the Subdivision are intended for residential use and no commercial, professional or similar activity requiring either maintaining an inventory, equipment or customer/client visits may be conducted in a Home or on a Homesite. Renting and leasing of Homes within the Subdivision is prohibited without the prior written consent of the Developer. Owners of Homes within the Subdivision may not transfer their rights to those recreational facilities arising from payment of the Contractual Amenities Fee to any party, except to subsequent Owners of the Home, without the prior -written consent of the Developer.

So renting is prohibited in *some* areas but not all and if there is a violation, it is the duty of the homeowner to pursue a legal remedy but NOT the duty of the developer.