[Ginab]

Hello all,
My hubby and I have been contemplating buying in the Villages for some time now. We decided that we will rent a home for 8 months to maybe a year first. Well, I've been corresponding with possible rentals and am confused about a few~~~rules??~~. One rental said I had to pay $55 a month towards water and sewer...water the landscape, and yet I am not allowed to wash my vehicle. Is this normal? Also, I am to pay $20 a month for garbage pick up and must pay all utilities. (the utilities I understand since the rental is long term) ...but garbage? Maybe I've just been contacting the few picky ones?...or is this all normal?
Thanks in advance for any info. I look forward to moving here.

[l2ridehd]

For a short term rental all those should be included. For a long term rental you should expect to pay them all. Don't you expect a lower rent for a longer term? There is a reason and one of those reasons is you will be paying for the amenities fee which includes water and trash pick up and also utilities. I would also expect a long term tenant to take care of the lawn and a few other items. Unless of course you wanted all those things included in the rent, but then you would be paying a higher rent.

Look in thevillages4rent.com and for an 8 to 12 month rental and have everything included, I would just add all the monthly totals, expect about a $100 to $200 a month discount and use that as a guideline.

[swrinfla]

Ginab:

First of all, welcome to TOTV! If you're truly interested in The Villages, stay tuned to this site. You'll learn one h*** of a lot, and make friends along the way!

I've never rented here nor offered my home for rental, but I think what you're hearing makes sense!

Our water bills also cover our trash collection. My trash collection bill is $16.92 per month. For that I get two trash pickups a week, one recycle pickup a week and one yard waste pickup a week. To the best of my knowledge the amount and the service is virtually universal in every village.

Water of course varies a lot. How many folks in the house? How big a yard? How frequently does the irrigation system operate? Etc., etc.

The Villages is very eco-minded. The large number of marshes/swamps/ponds and such are a testament to that. As a follow-on to the eco-friendly attitude, it is desireable that folks do not wash their cars in the driveway, especially not with possibly toxic detergents or soaps.

To the best of my knowledge no one has been taken to jail for washing his car, but "the authorities" do frown upon the practice!

I hope this'll answer your questions!

SWR

[paulandjean]

Never had a problem washing the car.

[asianthree]

when we rent (at this time we have a six month April to September our renter pays for the electric, cable and internet/phone..we take care of the water, garbage and amenity fee... outside water cost more than inside water and i feel i have to water the lawn if someone is there or not

[PJOHNS2654]

I rent my condo Nov-April at a substantial discount over the Jan.-Mar. rate. I pay the utilities, including trash, water, phone, cable and internet. I also pay for the renters I.D. cards.

I now don't have to pay the 11% Business Tax because of the long term.

[rjm1cc]

I think the car washing is a deed restriction and not a rule set by the owner. I think you can wash the car if you park on the grass to wash it. Check back with the owner and see if that is ok.

[bluedog103]

Car washing is ok. It is recommended that cars be pulled onto the lawn so that water isn't wasted but I've never known anyone to wash their car anywhere except on the driveway. I don't know why the homeowner would not allow it.

[Ginab]

Thank you all for your answers. They're helping me with my decisions.

I don't rent it my house nor have I rented I don't have an answer but I'd like to welcome you to the TOTV!