PONTE VEDRA, Fla. -- Rusty Headley has called the Ocean Grove condominium community home for the past six years, but now he feels it is pulling the welcome mat from under him.
"I feel unwanted here," he said.
Headley is a renter. Recently, he applied for a parking permit and was denied. The reason surprised him.
"I was told I could not have one because I was a renter and rented here illegally," said Headley.
His landlord Bernard Snyder, a retired auto designer, said a few months ago the property management company told him he needed a permit to rent the condo to his tenant.
"It just seems unjust that they would start enforcing this rule," said Snyder. "I'm going to be required to evict him ...after he has been there six years as a perfect tenant."
Snyder said his tenant is not the only one being told he may have to move. "I understand there are 18 others," he added.
Ocean Grove condominiums are managed by Condominium Concepts Management. Dirk Penzien, property manager, said rules have not changed.
"Headley and his landlord were quote 'flying under the radar'," he said.
District manager Tiffany Clark confirmed that rentals require a permit. The number of rented units cannot exceed 25 percent of the property.
"If that happens the property owner's name goes on a hardship list," she added.
Clark said Snyder did not follow the rules, but Snyder said six years ago there was a different management company and he was told it was okay.
"According to them I could rent, no problem. So I did," said Snyder.
Attorney Troy Smith of Rogers-Towers, who is not directly connected with the case, said if the condo
declaration defines any limitation on rentals, the property owners will
be subject to its terms.
But for now, Headley is stuck in the middle."At times I somewhat took it personally, but I found out that's not the case. There are others being affected as well," said Headley.
ON YOUR SIDE
Snyder will appeal to the board of directors.
In the 2004 condo declaration document, it says property owners are required to have a 'leasing permit.'
Snyder does not.
Here's the consumer tip: When renting a condominium, ask the property manager or management company if it is okay to rent before signing a lease with the property owner.
First Coast News