Short-term rentals available in Fort Myers for Milton-impacted residents

The developer of a newly built North Fort Myers community is offering short-term villa rentals to area residents impacted by Hurricane Milton.

Sage Communities, the developer of Seneca at Oak Creek, is providing a limited number of eight-month rentals at its community of one-story villas off Bayshore Road to help those displaced by the hurricane. Afterward, these tenants can extend their leases month-to-month for up to 12 months. Typically, leases at the community are for 12, 24 or 36 months, and residents have to be 55 years and older. For the initiative to help displaced residents, a spokesperson for Sage Communities says people do not have to meet the age requirement.

“Lee County isn’t just where we do business. It’s home,” Sage Communities CEO Randy Thibaut says in a statement. “In times of need, it’s critical that businesses step up do their part to help our friends, neighbors, clients and customers who may now be displaced from the hurricane.”

Seneca at Oak Creek, which opened in 2023, consists of nearly 200 one and two-bedroom villa residences for tenants age 55 and up. Rent ranges from $1,695 to $2,585 a month. 

The community is offering eight units for eight-month rentals to help displaced residents avoid taxes they would have to pay to stay in Airbnbs or hotels.