Real simple to track. All ID cards have date of birth. If not on the card, on the application info.

The 20% is based on ownership, not by who is renting.

You may have a common misperception about the law. It reads that 80% of the homes must be occupied by at least one person over the age of 55. Many people construe this to mean that 80% of the residents must be over the age of 55. Not true. Under the law it is possible for as much as 80% of the residents and maybe more to be under 55.

Sorry asianthree, but that is not correct. The law states that 80% of the homes must be OCCUPIED by at least one person over the age of 55. It says nothing about renting or owning. There are some over 55 communities made up entirely of rental units.

Are you sure? I have never heard of new house in TV being sold while the construction was ongoing. Maybe I haven't been paying attention.

Haven't met one under 40 living down here other than some disabled children living with their parents...as well they should be. Just sayin'....

I believe she is correct. When we moved here 3 years ago it was possible to select a lot and build the home of your choice. I have a neighbor who bought a home while it was under construction. I believe the original purchase deal fell through while the home was under construction.

This first link is to the official HOPA (Housing for Older Persons) Act. It is not exactly light reading. The second link is a FAQ page which is much more easy to read and should answer most, if not all, questions.

http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/library/hopa_final.pdf

http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/library/hopa95.pdf

Note that the 80%, one person 55+ requirement is the absolute minimum to comply with federal law and maintain HOPA status. If a community fails to maintain and properly document their compliance, then the community would lose their HOPA status. However, individual communities can have much more stringent policies if they so desire. For instance, they could require that 100% of Homes be occupied by a 55+, or 60+, etc.

We were never asked for an ID. I guess it was pretty obvious that we were both over 55 ;-).

Here is what my deed restriction says for my neighborhood.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3.../Capture_1.jpg

Been here long enough to hear about several exceptions.
1. Heard the under 19 year old children with 30 day visit limitation does not apply to special needs children.
2.Heard that the under 55 age rule does not apply to retired military or police & firemen.
3. Have also heard of many younger folks who purchase homes while under the 55 age and rent the homes out until they are ready for retirement.

Have also heard that the big change years ago that allowed Villagers to use their golf carts after sundown and before sunrise could be changed if the exception to the State Rules about golf carts results in too many deaths, accidents or violations of the Motor Vehicle Statutes.

Following are FL Statute items that remain in effect and are worth noting. It took a long time for local authorities to allow 24/7 operation of golf cars in TV, but these same authorities while it is unlikely, could change things back to what they were.

From Florida Statute 316.212

(5) A golf cart may be operated only during the hours between sunrise and sunset, unless the responsible governmental entity has determined that a golf cart may be operated during the hours between sunset and sunrise and the golf cart is equipped with headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and a windshield.

(6) A golf cart must be equipped with efficient brakes, reliable steering apparatus, safe tires, a rearview mirror, and red reflectorized warning devices in both the front and rear.

(7) A golf cart may not be operated on public roads or streets by any person under the age of 14.

(8) A local governmental entity may enact an ordinance relating to:
(a)  Golf cart operation and equipment which is more restrictive than those enumerated in this section. Upon enactment of such ordinance, the local governmental entity shall post appropriate signs or otherwise inform the residents that such an ordinance exists and that it will be enforced within the local government’s jurisdictional territory. An ordinance referred to in this section must apply only to an unlicensed driver.

MCV, it is the Fair Housing laws that deal with age discrimination. The Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) was enacted as an amendment to the Fair Housing laws for the purpose of providing communities designed and intended specifically for older adults. As I pointed out in my previous post, the 80% rule is the minimum required by law in order for a community to retain their age-restricted status with the federal government. It doesn't mean that the community has to allow younger people to reside in the other 20% of the homes. They have the option to, but they don't have to. The communities can place much more stringent rules in place if they wish. The 55+ community that I lived in prior to moving here required that 100% of the homes be both owned and occupied by at least one person who was 55+.

There are NO restrictions as to the age of a property owner in a 55+ community. The age restrictions are for residents.

Correction Indy...the HOPA itself does not restrict ownership to 55+, but an individual community can. Just like HOPA doesn't restrict residency to 19 and older, but the community can add that addition rule. In my previous residence, we could not purchase the house unless one buyer was 55+.