-Air B&B in The Villages?
Apparently, many residents feel that short-term rentals in The Villages should be stopped.
Over-all management of residential districts and amenities in The Villages is controlled by several ‘CDD’s.
These ‘Community Development Districts’ are appointed by the Developer.
Obviously, that being the case, their primary function is to protect the best interests of the ‘Developer/Ownership/Management.
So far they have not addressed the short-term rental market issue.
But, obviously home-owners and residents in The Villages are concerned about the effect of transient visitors on their lifestyle and their property values.
Many say that, they too started out as ‘renters’ before they finally purchasing a home here.
But some of the short-term renters are coached to lie to their neighbors about who they are. For example, “Tenants are to say that they are ‘friends of the owners’ and ‘don’t tell anyone that you are here for just a few days’.
The truth is that there have been both long and short term rentals in The Villages going back to when it started out as ‘Orange Blossom Gardens’ (Now referred to as ’The Historic Side).
I remember when residents would regularly rent their neighbors home for the visiting friends and family from ‘up north.’,
I don’t remember them, (or myself) ever being aggressively challenged for an ‘ID’.
Those visitor/guests would use the old ‘hill top’ golf course, (getting in line with ‘HS’ and others), the ‘Paradise Pool’, sitting by and chatting with ‘HS’ and freely walking through the Sales/office/Rec Center, always welcomed. (but that’s another story!).
Are short-term rentals really a problem?
If, so, is there a solution?
I saw one comment where the writer suggested that The Villages should increase the cost of the Guest/Visitor ID’s.
Like DISNEY – maybe $55.00/day.
Which brings up the question, ‘Is The Villages legally obligated to issue Guest Passes at all?’
Are Home-Owner/Residents , in fact, guaranteed that their House Guests are entitled to an ID?
Does The Villages, in fact, issue ‘Resident ID’s to 5-day visitors?
Is it a fact that even ‘legal’ guests have to be accompanied by the Home-Owner/Resident to use or even access the amenities?
That can’t apply to Air B&B and the like, can it?
My guess is that it all comes down to money.
Which is more profitable?
Deny ID’s to short-term visitors?
How would that be profitable?
Or issue ID’s to any home-owner who requests one?
Which creates more ‘occupants; more visitors, more investors, more buyers.
Seems simple enough to figure out!
‘til next time. . . . .
