3 month rate?

[play time]

looking to book jan,feb,and march how much dicount should i be looking for? we are at hamoton lakes for the month of nov. to see how we like the area . thanks

[benfilo]

hi play time, if you use the links above you can put a request out to villa owners to contact you with their rates and availability, I think you'll find they are already discounted for this period,Have a great trip

[DaveL]

Contrary to what most people think a long booking actually tends to cost more than a normal length one.

That may seem strange but with a normal booking the guests are out a lot of the time. Longer term guests spend more time in the house and therefore have a higher use of the utilities, which are very high in the U.S. This may be balanced out by the cost of the clean at the end of each stay but in general costs tend to be higher. All the other costs of running the villa; pool, garden, etc; stay the same so the only discount may reflect that the owner has a little less work to do.

You should also bear in mind the whole of Feb is a major time for visitors from Canada who want to escape the worst of the winter, plus it's half term holidays for UK schools. Another factor is that Easter is early next year, this would mean that most homes would start their peak rate from the middle of March. They would be unlikely to discount as there are always so many people who want to go at this particular time of the year. Orlando is truly one of the places in the World where there is a continuous stream of visitors all year.

Hope this helps with some of your planning.

Dave

[Katys Grandad]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by DaveL
Contrary to what most people think a long booking actually tends to cost more than a normal length one.

[/quote]

I have to say that hasn't been my experience. Firstly, there is a wider range to choose from because you aren't restricted to short term rental properties. For a 3 month rental period you are even bringing commercial rental rates (ie. not vacation homes) into the equation.

Although I now rent direct with a US owner, the rental firms I previously used always gave a substantial discount for rentals over 4 weeks and further discount for 3 months.

Of course, this won't be the case with every property but I think you will find something along the lines you are looking for.

[blott]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
I have to say that hasn't been my experience. Firstly, there is a wider range to choose from because you aren't restricted to short term rental properties. For a 3 month rental period you are even bringing commercial rental rates (ie. not vacation homes) into the equation.[/quote]Short term rental property regulations cover rentals up to 7 months. Which means that they have to be licensed, meet STR safety regulations, insurance, etc, include utilities and renters pay sales and tourist taxes.

Six months+ is a long term rental to which the above regulations don't apply. But renters have to arrange their own pool, lawn, pest, etc care and pay their own utility bills.

[Katys Grandad]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
I have to say that hasn't been my experience. Firstly, there is a wider range to choose from because you aren't restricted to short term rental properties. For a 3 month rental period you are even bringing commercial rental rates (ie. not vacation homes) into the equation.[/quote]Short term rental property regulations cover rentals up to 7 months. Which means that they have to be licensed, meet STR safety regulations, insurance, etc, include utilities and renters pay sales and tourist taxes.

Six months+ is a long term rental to which the above regulations don't apply. But renters have to arrange their own pool, lawn, pest, etc care and pay their own utility bills.
[/quote]

Are you saying that every home rental for a period of less than 6 months is subject to sales and tourist taxes? I wasn't aware of that because as far as I know I've never paid it.

The point I was making is that in some areas certain properties are not available for periods of less than 1 month or longer so would be additional to those available to weekly renters. I know of several properties where the minimum rental period is 3 months.

[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.

[Carla]

If a home is licensed for STR, Katy's Grandad, then any rental of 6 months or less is subject to Sales and Tourist tax, as per Florida Statute 212.

[blott]

Florida Statute 212 states:

For the exercise of such taxable privilege, a tax is hereby levied in an amount equal to 6 percent of and on the total rental charged for such living quarters or sleeping or housekeeping accommodations by the person charging or collecting the rental.

(2) The tax provided for herein shall be in addition to the total amount of the rental, shall be charged by the lessor or person receiving the rent in and by said rental arrangement to the lessee or person paying the rental, and shall be due and payable at the time of the receipt of such rental payment by the lessor or person, as defined in this chapter, who receives said rental or payment. The owner, lessor, or person receiving the rent shall remit the tax to the department at the times and in the manner hereinafter provided for dealers to remit taxes under this chapter.

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.

[Katys Grandad]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
Florida Statute 212 states:

For the exercise of such taxable privilege, a tax is hereby levied in an amount equal to 6 percent of and on the total rental charged for such living quarters or sleeping or housekeeping accommodations by the person charging or collecting the rental.

(2) The tax provided for herein shall be in addition to the total amount of the rental, shall be charged by the lessor or person receiving the rent in and by said rental arrangement to the lessee or person paying the rental, and shall be due and payable at the time of the receipt of such rental payment by the lessor or person, as defined in this chapter, who receives said rental or payment. The owner, lessor, or person receiving the rent shall remit the tax to the department at the times and in the manner hereinafter provided for dealers to remit taxes under this chapter.

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]

Thanks for that Blott - I think you've missed the critical element of the renter being 'transient' but that's helpful nonetheless.