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Florida 55+ Homeowner Associations - Don't Forget to Renew Your 55+ Status Before it Expires

By
Real Estate Agent with CENTURY 21 Bill Nye Realty, Inc.
I was recently listing a property and checked on its 55+ status at the state's Florida Commision of Human Relations website. I saw that their designation as a 55+ park was due to expire on December 28, 2010! I spoke with the park's secretary and she was unaware of this fact. This often happens as new board members get voted in. It is easy to overlook deadlines and I am told that Florida does not send out warnings that your registration is about to expire.
 
I was happy to download the instructions and forms she needed so that they could renew their status now and not lose it, even for one day.
 
If you or your HOA board would like to check on your subdivision or park's status, you can do so at: http://fchr.state.fl.us/housing_directory/search/Pasco/County If do not live in Pasco County, there is a link so you can check out other counties as well.
 
If you do need to renew at some point, you can find the instructions and can download the necessary form at the following link: http://fchr.state.fl.us/resources/55_housing/renewal
 
I am very careful about observing the 55+ restrictions, and you can make my job a lot easier when your subdivision or park appears on the state's registered list. Then there is no question at all and I am held legally innocent by only showing homes to people that meet your 55+ requirements.
 
If I can be of any further assistance, do not hesitate to call me at: 813-783-4444 or e-mail me at: jelwell1@tampabay.rr.com
Posted by

John Elwell - REALTOR

CENTURY 21

Bill Nye Realty, Inc.

813-783-4444

Licensed in Florida

 

Comments (2)

Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

Wow - I did not know that 55+ designations could expire - will have to check on that for Nevada.

Nov 21, 2010 06:49 AM
John Elwell
CENTURY 21 Bill Nye Realty, Inc. - Zephyrhills, FL
You Deserve a Full-Time Agent, Not Reduced Results

Other states may handle it differently. But here for a nominal fee and a form submitted by the HOA the subdivisions and parks can register with the state and appear on their list. It helps agents since if we see that they are on the list we can enter a 55+ designation into our MLS and we can also tell families that these are 55+ parks and that they can restrict a buyer's ability to own and/or occupy a property. Otherwise we can get into "hot water" with HUD and its fair housing requirements. Here we are held harmless as long as the park or subdivision's names appear on the state's registered list. HOPA takes care of that.

So parks that want to restrict residency to people who are 55+ or over are well-advised to make sure that they keep their registrations current. It costs very little and the form is short once you have done the initial registration.

Nov 21, 2010 07:36 AM