Condo Owners Fighting to Keep 
the Ability to Rent Out Their Units

 
Article Courtesy of Channel 12 ( WTLV, Jacksonville )
By Kyle Meenan
Published January 25, 2004

AMELIA ISLAND, FL -- Amelia Island, playground for the wealthy, and a place of timeless natural beauty and man-made elegance.

But in one quiet condominium development, a storm of controversy is brewing that could sweep across the entire Sunshine State.

"After seven years of renting now they want to pull the rug out from under us. And say, you know, if you can't afford to live here go somewhere else," said condominium owner Steve Comley.

Judy and Steve Comley bought their oceanfront condominium in 1996 as their home for nine months of the year.

They rent it out during the summer when they travel to Maine.

When they bought their unit, the condominium homeowner's association bylaws had no restrictions on rentals.

But that all changed in 2000

"There was an amendment to our bylaws, which said that we could no longer rent here," said Comley. "(They)change(d) the rules in the middle of the game." 

For three years since that change, the Comleys have been on a mission to fight the ruling by making hundreds of phone calls and writing letter after letter. 

"I'd say three thousand (letters) have gone out," said Comley.

Their hope now is a groundswell of other condo owners statewide to bring the message to Tallahassee and Senate President Jim King.

Steve Comley says he recently met with King, and was encouraged by the response.

"He's looking at the language right now that we need in order to grandfather property owners established rental rights," said Comley. 

Comley knows full well even if the legislature creates a law protecting the rights of condo owners, the law might not help his specific case.

But he says, as an American he's proud to be involved in a process that will help others.

"So the driving force with us, we want to make sure what's happened to Judy and I doesn't happen to someone else down in the future.".