You cannot ignore the problem of children living in The Villages.

It has been the subject of outrage in the village of DeLuna where one baby is reportedly alive.

This summer it was a putting fury when four grandchildren settled in the village of Linden.

The deed restrictions in The Villages indicate that no one under the age of 19 can live in a home for more than 30 days.

The problem, however, lies in the enforcement.

Residents have naively believed that they could pick up the phone, report the violation and get it resolved. But it’s not that easy. Enforcement against children living in the home is not a community standards responsibility. That’s a question for the developer. Residents have been surprised when the developer has shown little interest in enforcing the rule against children. They have been shocked when a representative of the developer has suggested that the residents could file a lawsuit and go to court to try to force children out of a nearby home.

Recently, the developer appeared eager to turn over the enforcement of certain internal deed restrictions to community development districts. The inspectors, hearing from residents who have been frustrated by the lack of enforcement, were at first tempted to go in and take a look. When they discovered that the burden of enforcement could be an expensive hornet’s nest, they backed off.

So who is left in an awkward situation? Dream home buyer trying to live out their retirement in a 55+ community.

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