For many people condo
associations boards especially in 55+ communities are a pain in the neck. These
association boards often behave as if they are the sole owner of the whole complex. They
execute their rights like little kings and queens and oppress their members. Many of the elderly members are so afraid of them, that they do not defend themselves
even, when they are discriminated by the association board.
I made numerous
experiences with these association boards and I tried to motivate my customers
to take action and report the abuse to the authorities, but sadly they did not.
When Hispanic cash buyers try to get an approval for a unit purchase from
the association board, my buyer was treated like a criminal and financial problems
that happened ten years ago were used as an excuse for the approval denial. Even
when this buyer brought his daughter as in additional sponsors into the picture,
my buyer was denied by the association board.
After these two difficult
attempts, my cash buyer gave up and the association board won.
The newest court
decision in connection with the discrimination law may help in the future. Now
even an unintentional discrimination is a violation of the Fair Housing Act and
can be reported to the responsible authorities.
Want to know more?
Contact us at info@florida-informations.com
Often it is really hard to deal with
the condo associations, when you would like to move into a condo community. The condo associations try to use their own regulations, when it comes
to the approval of new residents in their community and these regulations not always comply with the Fair Housing Act.
My experience in the real estate
show that many associations violate the Fair Housing Regulation based
on their rules and regulations and they often go away with it.
During a sales transaction, it was a cash deal
for a condo in a nice area, the buyer was denied with flimsy excuses. His
daughter and son-in-law even offered to go with the father on the deed and take
financial responsibility. That is more that a association could asked
for and they still denied the approval.
That specific association had already some violations with the HUD regulation, but nobody seems to care. However, a broker
in such a transaction has only limited options to intervene and can only
encourage the discriminated person to raise his/her voice and go after such
associations.
In my specific case the buyer and his family who have a Hispanic background were
so badly mistreated that they let this perfect condo go. That is not only sad
for the buyer, but it encouraged the condo association to stick to their
behavior and do it again the next time.
Every homeowner in a condo community
deserves a respectful and fair treatment, but this often only exists in the
words that are spoken and not lived. There are only a few people that speak up.
When we would like to have change in this condo association behavior, all
affected people should speak up and complaint. When there are enough complaints, these condo associations will have to listen and comply, otherwise they will risk government fines.
You want to know how to do it?
Contact us andrea@florida-informations.com
