\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

By David Muller<\/div><\/div>\n

Also: A condo made up mainly of older adults wants to make it official and become a 55-plus community. Is that allowed? And how do you do it?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

NAPLES, Fla. \u2013 Question<\/strong>: I recently lost the election at my condominium by a few votes. Although my name was on the ballot, my resume was not included with the ballot mailout. Doesn\u2019t this require the association to have another election? \u2013 T.V.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Answer<\/strong>: If you timely submitted your candidate information sheet, and you can provide that you did, the election was fatally flawed and a new election must be held.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Florida Condominium Act states that a unit owner or other eligible person desiring to be a candidate for the board must give written notice of his or her intent to be a candidate to the association at least 40 days before a scheduled election. Upon request of a candidate, an information sheet, no larger than 81\/2 inches by 11 inches, which must be furnished by the candidate at least 35 days before the election, must be included with the mailing, delivery, or transmission of the ballot, with the costs of mailing, delivery, or electronic transmission and copying to be borne by the association.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Rules from the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes state that there are three \u201cfatal\u201d election flaws for condominium associations which will always require a new election if a challenge is made. Election challenges must be made within 60 days.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The three \u201cdeadly sins\u201d in condo elections are: (1) failure to send the first notice by the 60 day deadline; (2) failure to timely deliver information sheets (resume) for each candidate in the second notice; and (3) failure to include the names of all the candidates on the ballot. Other election irregularities are usually examined on a case-by-case basis, with an eye toward whether the error could have influenced the outcome.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Here, a fatal flaw has been committed as your information sheet, which you timely submitted to the association, was not included within the second notice of annual meeting. If you challenge the election and can prove that you timely submitted your information sheet, the Division will order a new election.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Question<\/strong>: My condominium association is made up of mostly elderly owners and residents. We aren\u2019t currently registered as a \u201c55 and older\u201d community. Can we vote to become such a community now even though we have been in existence for a long time? \u2013 A.W.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Answer<\/strong>: There is a process whereby an existing condominium association can become a \u201c55 and older\u201d community. The federal Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, as amended by the Housing for Older Persons Act, states that communities meeting certain conditions demonstrating an affirmative intent to provide \u201chousing for older persons\u201d are exempt from prohibitions in the law against \u201cfamilial status\u201d discrimination. This means qualifying communities may legally exclude families with children.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Under these laws, 80% of the occupied units must be occupied by at least one person age 55 or older. The association would also need to amend the community\u2019s applicable governing documents to implement a covenant requiring occupancy by persons age 55 or older. The association must also adopt and enforce policies and procedures that demonstrate an intent to provide housing for persons 55 or older, including age verification procedures and periodic updates.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Penalties for discrimination based on familial status are harsh and are often pursued against directors and managers individually. The association should consult with its legal counsel before taking any further steps.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a9 2022 Journal Media Group. David G. Muller is a board-certified attorney in Condominium and Planned Development Law with Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. in Naples.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

Go to Source<\/a>
\nAuthor: kerrys<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"