3 month rate?

[Katys Grandad]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Robert5988
I would agree with Katy's Grandad on this.

A lot of Snowbirds visit for 3 months and the properties they rent are not normally in STR areas. So a 3+ month rental opens up a great deal more of Florida for rental.

In fact I would have thought that most long term snowbirds would not be that interested in the Attractions or indeed Orlando and prefer to be by the coast.

However whilst the rents are considerably lower, most of these properties get the tenant to pay for the Utilities and cleaning etc.

Lots of $million+ Condos near me do not allow STR but allow 3 month rentals on a lease, and normally subject to Condo Board approval.
[/quote]

That was the point I was trying (obviously not well enough!) to make.

[Robert5988]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:So, even for a home that isn't licensed for STR, tax is still payable as above for rentals of less than 6 months but more than 30 days.[/quote]

I am not sure that is so cut and dried as you say Blott.

I believe it all depends on the the reason for owning the property.

I don't rent out my property; so the primary purpose of owning is not for rental.

However if I decided to rent it to Katy's Grandad for 3 months, I don't believe I would be liable for tax.

I know several people who do just that. They let their vacation home to snowbirds for a few months to cover/defray expenses; and certainly don't pay tax. In fact from memory I believe I have to sign a declaration each year to state that my purpose in owning is not for rental.

If however I rented to Katy's Grandad and then you for a further 3 months and then someone else for another 3 months I would be liable; and of course I would immediately write and say that the declaration I signed was void!!!

I have heard it said that some people in non STR areas actually have an unofficial arrangement with the same people year after year and never declare that to the authorities. Isn't that disgraceful?

[blott]

All I can tell you is that, according to Florida Statute 212, if a home is rented for more than 30 days and less than six months, then 6% tax is payable as per the quote I posted above.

If you rent for less than 30 days, then a STR licence is required as well as sales and tourist taxes (11 - 13%).

If you rent to someone for more than six months (per rental), then no tax is payable.

Of course, if you were to let me 'borrow' your place for three months without requiring me to pay any rental, that's a different ball park altogether. [msnwink]

I don't make the rules...

Yes, I think if some people don't declare rental income liable for Florida sales and tourist tax and other people do, that's totally unfair.

[play time]

wow !!! thanks for the feed back

[steph_goodrum]

Hi Playtime
I hope you're enjoying Hampton Lakes as much as we do when we are over. Haven't been since March and are going over for Christmas this year so you'll have to let me know which new places are now opening up in the area.

Regarding the rentals as the others ahve pointed out, as far as the Sales and Tourist tax office are concerned any rental under 6 months is subject to both taxes as they are regarded as "transient rentals", any that stay for 6 months + 1 day or longer are subject to long term rentals policies and as such ar esupposed to have a proper rental lease agreement in place.
Owners not abiding by these regulations face the same sort of possibility of audit or shutdown by the authorities so if they are found to be playing outside the legitimate regulations there is the possibility that part way through your rental you could suddenly find yourself facing eviction and the cost of renting another place.

Regarding the 3 month rental, as explained there are sometimes some discounts to be had where owners will deduct some for administration, as regards cleaning, for rentals of that length I include a monthly clean anyway as I feel it is important that the place is kept up to standard for the next guests who would arrive shortly afterwards. As there are maintenance issues which need to be addressed monthly anyway (pest control, air filters etc), I don't feel it unreasonable.