[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Kelevision

Anyone can “live” here as long as you’re over 18.

And have money to do so.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by banjobob

No enforcement of age restrictions per covenant, up to 20% are permitted by statute.

I sure there is accurate accounting going oneops.

[Packer Fan]

Originally Posted by MrChip72

I think "ensures" could be more accurately replaced with "claims". It's doubtful that they're doing anything to actually keep track, not that it would be very feasible to do anyways.

Have talked to multiple new buyers in the Villages where both people in the couple are under 55 that have bought a new home. From what I can tell, there's little chance the sales agents are going to turn down a sale because they're under 55.

Where exactly is your evidence??? It might shock you but you have to show ID to buy a house and there are about 5 other ways to get your age before you close. They do track it. How do I know? When I was 51 I bought my first house here and I asked. In 2014 it was about 8% that were below 55. The other thing
They pointed out is that people age, so in a few years I would be above 55 and fall off that statistic which I am now being 60. And yes if they get to 20% they will stop selling to younger people. I don’t think we are any different than where we were in 2014. Same gripes and misinformation on here now as back then.

[bcsnave]

Originally Posted by Packer Fan

Where exactly is your evidence??? It might shock you but you have to show ID to buy a house and there are about 5 other ways to get your age before you close. They do track it. How do I know? When I was 51 I bought my first house here and I asked. In 2014 it was about 8% that were below 55. The other thing
They pointed out is that people age, so in a few years I would be above 55 and fall off that statistic which I am now being 60. And yes if they get to 20% they will stop selling to younger people. I don’t think we are any different than where we were in 2014. Same gripes and misinformation on here now as back then.

Yeah..but you're from Oak Creek so whadda you know anyway...lol

[MrChip72]

Originally Posted by Packer Fan

They do track it. How do I know? When I was 51 I bought my first house here and I asked. In 2014 it was about 8% that were below 55.

Was there an official number of 8% with some sort of audited data that was presented to you, or was this just someone telling you it was 8%? Since we bought, I've found lots of things we were told ended up not to be completely true.

Doubtful that it's even possible for them to track people renting out houses to families under 55 like some people that are in my area, houses changing hands in other ways, divorce, etc.

[mikeycereal]

My sugar mama is 55, but I'm 24. You mean I'm not welcome?? *sniff*

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by MrChip72

Was there an official number of 8% with some sort of audited data that was presented to you, or was this just someone telling you it was 8%? Since we bought, I've found lots of things we were told ended up not to be completely true.

Doubtful that it's even possible for them to track people renting out houses to families under 55 like some people that are in my area, houses changing hands in other ways, divorce, etc.

It is tracked. I have spoken to one of the people who do it. It is behind the scenes and occurs during the month between signing the deal and closing. A sale could be disallowed if we ever approach the 80% limit. Tracking is required by law as part of remaining a 55+ community.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

It is tracked. I have spoken to one of the people who do it. It is behind the scenes and occurs during the month between signing the deal and closing. A sale could be disallowed if we ever approach the 80% limit. Tracking is required by law as part of remaining a 55+ community.

I can understand how they could track property sales, but the age rule only applies to residents, not owners. The only way I can see how to track the residents is with the ID cards. But, a lot of people rent out their house, or they are snowbirds, who are partime residents. Any tracking system they use could be grossly inaccurate.

[pauld315]

They only enforce it (or even track it) if yoiu buy your home through athe Villages. If you buy a resale from MLS or privately, they never check. Once you go into the house as being underaged they wil never enforce the age restrictions. That is why there are so many kids living in The Villages. They should be doing yearly censuses to ensure they are still meeting the Age Restricted community qualifucatuons but they don't.

[pauld315]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

You and me, Bogie, have been on this Forum for a long time and have witnessed this discussion so many times.

The Federal Housing Act, established in 1968 has a section referred to as HOPA. The Villages must have at least 80% of people over 55 years of age and cannot have anyone living here under 19. Under 19 visitors may stay here no more than a total of 30 days in a calendar year.

This goes for rental homes as well.

And who tracks that compliance ? The answer is nobody. Also,the under 19 rule is part of the internall deed restrictions and never enforced.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by pauld315

They only enforce it (or even track it) if yoiu buy your home through athe Villages. If you buy a resale from MLS or privately, they never check. Once you go into the house as being underaged they wil never enforce the age restrictions. That is why there are so many kids living in The Villages. They should be doing yearly censuses to ensure they are still meeting the Age Restricted community qualifucatuons but they don't.

When have they ever enforced it? Tracking by home sales would not work because the rule applies to residents, not owners. The only feasible tracking method would be with the resident ID cards, assuming they require proof of age when they issue a card.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I can understand how they could track property sales, but the age rule only applies to residents, not owners. The only way I can see how to track the residents is with the ID cards. But, a lot of people rent out their house, or they are snowbirds, who are partime residents. Any tracking system they use could be grossly inaccurate.

Why wouldn't ID cards work, at least for the vast majority of homes?

If a rental includes amenities then the owner turns in his/her ID card and a card is issued to the renter at one of the sales offices. The ages of the occupants can be tracked.

If an owner is a snowbird or other part-time resident then they maintain their ID card. Either the age can be tracked through the card or the home could be considered to be unoccupied and not part of the 80/20 count.

This might leave out short-term rentals but would it really make the count grossly inaccurate? Do the HoPA rules even require these to be counted or would they be considered as unoccupied? Even if they are counted, are there enough short-term rental properties to significantly affect the 80/20 ratio?

I've read claims of numbers like 1,000 rental properties or 3,000 rental properties listed. OK, but with 70,000+ homes in the Villages, if all 3,000 were required to be counted and all 3,000 were short-term and all 3,000 were rented with no one over 55 in the party that would still only be 4% of the homes, far from the 20% limit.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by pauld315

They only enforce it (or even track it) if yoiu buy your home through athe Villages. If you buy a resale from MLS or privately, they never check. Once you go into the house as being underaged they wil never enforce the age restrictions. That is why there are so many kids living in The Villages. They should be doing yearly censuses to ensure they are still meeting the Age Restricted community qualifucatuons but they don't.

Originally Posted by pauld315

And who tracks that compliance ? The answer is nobody. Also,the under 19 rule is part of the internall deed restrictions and never enforced.

Are there "so many kids living in The Villages?" I know of zero. I have seen one post on here mentioning one family.

It could be that there does exist one or a few families living in the Villages. I don't really know and I suspect a large number of those posting don't know either.

"Never enforced?" Really? It would be interesting to see some numbers on that. How many times have internal deed restrictions been reported and homes are still in violation?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Why wouldn't ID cards work, at least for the vast majority of homes?

If a rental includes amenities then the owner turns in his/her ID card and a card is issued to the renter at one of the sales offices. The ages of the occupants can be tracked.

If an owner is a snowbird or other part-time resident then they maintain their ID card. Either the age can be tracked through the card or the home could be considered to be unoccupied and not part of the 80/20 count.

This might leave out short-term rentals but would it really make the count grossly inaccurate? Do the HoPA rules even require these to be counted or would they be considered as unoccupied? Even if they are counted, are there enough short-term rental properties to significantly affect the 80/20 ratio?

I've read claims of numbers like 1,000 rental properties or 3,000 rental properties listed. OK, but with 70,000+ homes in the Villages, if all 3,000 were required to be counted and all 3,000 were short-term and all 3,000 were rented with no one over 55 in the party that would still only be 4% of the homes, far from the 20% limit.

I don't know all the rules. If a snowbird lives in The Villages for 4 months every year, is that a fulltime resident, or an unoccupied house? And, how does The Villages count the number of snowbirds? They don't register as snowbirds or even tell The Villages when they leave town. Are there long term renters who don't have an ID card? Shouldn't the 80 percent data and methodology be public information? That would answer these questions.

[Safety Ranger]

It's pretty simple.. if you have the $$$ someone will sell you a home, be it a private party or TV. Its all about the money