Owner of fire-damaged home in The Villages sued for overgrown weeds, unsightly landscaping

A company that purchased a fire-damaged home in the Village of Charlotte over a year ago has been sued for noncompliance with deed restrictions, with attorneys citing overgrown weeds and unsightly landscaping that have produced over $6,000 in fines.

Attorneys representing Community Development District 9 filed the lawsuit against Investworks Solutions, LLC., in the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Sumter County on Aug. 11.

The complaint alleges that Investworks is “not in compliance” with deed restrictions standards, citing necessary maintenance to keep “buildings, landscaping, lighting, lawns, and other related improvements and fixtures in good condition.”

Furthermore, the complaint cites a clause that states that fire damage must be fixed by the homeowner “within two months after the damage occurs.” It also states that repairs must be completed “within eight months after the damage occurs.”

Located at 3292 Sylewood Ave., the fire-damaged home has been the subject of neighbor complaints dating back to early last year.

In December 2023, the home was damaged by a fire. At the time of the blaze, the home was owned by Geraldine Mitchell. She and her husband purchased the property in 2012 for $299,200. He died in 2019. Mitchell sold the fire-damaged home to Investworks Solutions LLC of Windemere. 

Villages-News.com first reported on the fire-damaged home last year, several months after it was purchased by Investworks.

In June 2024, a complaint was lodged with Community Standards about the lack of repair and upkeep at the home.

The lawsuit alleges that courtesy reminders to come into compliance with deed restrictions standards were sent to the homeowner on June 20, 2024, June 26, 2024, August 5, 2024, and Aug. 12, 2024. The fourth and final correspondence notified Investworks of a planned public hearing on the topic.

On Sept. 5, 2024, a public hearing for deed compliance was held. During that meeting, neighbors complained about the lack of repairs and the neglected lawn at the site.

At the time, the Community Development District 9 board granted six months to Investworks to bring the home into compliance.

In March, frustrated neighbors demanded action from CDD 9 board members, once again citing a lack of progress over the six months allotted. Those neighbors cited the property’s unsightliness, impact to property values, and lack of security. After that discussion, CDD 9 board members voted unanimously to file a lawsuit against the homeowner.

On March 20, a complaint was filed with CDD 9 regarding overgrown landscaping, grass, weeds, and bushes at the property. At the time, staff inspected the property and determined that the weeds were in violation, “but the grass and bushes were not.”

On April 18, CDD 9 issued another courtesy reminder for the overgrown weeds. On April 25, a second written notice and photographs were sent to Investworks. A third notice was sent on May 9.

The property was reinspected again on May 27 and was found to “remain in violation.” On May 30, CDD 9 issued a fourth written notice, stating another public hearing would be held about the property in July.

During that hearing on July 17, neighbors once again took to CDD 9 to complain about inaction at the home, saying the lawn still hadn’t been mowed and that there were overgrown weeds and bushes that still needed trimming.

A visit to the home on Tuesday, Sept. 2, showed that fire damage is still visible. Although some of the landscaping seems to have been addressed recently, neighbors still complained when asked about the home.

Attorneys argue that the ability to ensure enforcement of the deed restrictions is “unique, important, and valuable” to CDD 9, as it has “contractural obligations” to its residents.

“In addition, enforcement of the External Restrictions is intended to preserve property values and enforce all District No. 9 residents’ contractual obligations to comply with the External Restrictions, as agreed to when they purchased the respective properties,” reads a portion of the complaint.

Attorneys say Investworks did not start reconstruction of the home within the specified timeframe and that the company has “failed to keep the property neat, clean, and maintained as required regarding the overgrown weeds.” They also claim the company refuses to pay the assessed fines.

“The owner has either refused or failed to pay the imposed fines under the order,” reads the complaint.

Attorneys for CDD 9 are seeking damages for the imposition of the fines against Investworks, which total $6,618.65 as of Aug. 11.

According to Sumter County court records, the last filing in the case was a case management order and order establishing motion practice procedures filed on Aug. 19.