[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The Villages Holding Company has chosen a hands-off policy on internal deed restrictions, which are solely their authority.

It's unfortunate, but the deeds do use the word "may" rather than "shall," and so they're not obligated to do anything.

[LuvtheVillages]

Originally Posted by JGibson

This is not enforced and never will be. TV is entirely too large for them to spend resources trying to monitor it.
.

I was told long ago that the age requirement is monitored via the ID cards that we all have. When it was issued to you, your birthdate was recorded. Very easy for the computer to monitor how many fit the age requirements.

[RobbyHarris]

Doesn't that (unenforced) 80% or whatever % rule **NOT** apply to RESALES?

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by RobbyHarris

Doesn't that (unenforced) 80% or whatever % rule **NOT** apply to RESALES?

No, it applies to all homes within the Villages. It's not like you can say 80% of these homes need to be 55+ but not those homes over there because they are resales. That would mean that eventually when all homes are resales the Villages would no longer be a 55+ community.

And "unenforced?" Let's see some data to prove that.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by JGibson

This is not enforced and never will be. TV is entirely too large for them to spend resources trying to monitor it.

The only exception might be very young children.

That's simply untrue. TV has to deal with the same regulations and compliance as any other Age Restricted housing development.

Here are the rules: https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/DOC_7769.PDF

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by RobbyHarris

Doesn't that (unenforced) 80% or whatever % rule **NOT** apply to RESALES?

There is no way The Villages is anywhere close to 20% under 55 (remember, only one in the house needs to be above 55). How do I know? Just look around.

Who would monitor when the first resale hits the 20.01% mark? No One.

[RobbyHarris]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

No, it applies to all homes within the Villages. It's not like you can say 80% of these homes need to be 55+ but not those homes over there because they are resales. That would mean that eventually when all homes are resales the Villages would no longer be a 55+ community.

And "unenforced?" Let's see some data to prove that.

We were told by our sales agent when we bought that it does not apply to resales which is where I got that info (right or wrong).

I'd like to see up to date statistics showing it is enforced as well (not that I really care either way). It's not easy to prove a negative (that they don't enforce it) as it would be to provide statistics that they do. Actually, it would probably be very difficult to prove either one without access to lots of current raw data and lots of time to process it.

You seem to INFER it IS enforced. Can you share your data on how you know that ? Maybe it was the same agent!

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by RobbyHarris

We were told by our sales agent when we bought that it does not apply to resales which is where I got that info (right or wrong).

I'd like to see up to date statistics showing it is enforced as well (not that I really care either way). It's not easy to prove a negative (that they don't enforce it) as it would be to provide statistics that they do. Actually, it would probably be very difficult to prove either one without access to lots of current raw data and lots of time to process it.

You seem to INFER it IS enforced. Can you share your data on how you know that ? Maybe it was the same agent!

It is enforced by HUD. All you need to do, is request the documentation from HUD and they'll send it to you, under the Freedom of Information Act.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by RobbyHarris

We were told by our sales agent when we bought that it does not apply to resales which is where I got that info (right or wrong).

I'd like to see up to date statistics showing it is enforced as well (not that I really care either way). It's not easy to prove a negative (that they don't enforce it) as it would be to provide statistics that they do. Actually, it would probably be very difficult to prove either one without access to lots of current raw data and lots of time to process it.

You seem to INFER it IS enforced. Can you share your data on how you know that ? Maybe it was the same agent!

Don't have actual data. I INFER it IS enforced by the lack of any data showing it is NOT and lack of successful lawsuits challenging the 55+ status. For me:
- The Villages claims they are in compliance with 55+ status and no one has shown otherwise
- The Villages is supposed to verify 55+ compliance with the FHA and we haven't heard that wasn't done
- The 55+ status allows the Villages to refuse to sell to families and we don't see any families living in the Villages (deed restriction situations occur and are resolved)
- I don't believe I've personally observed even 14,000 people so I've certainly not seen over 14,000 individuals under 55+ and known that they were the only resident in their home

Not easy to prove that they don't enforce 80% 55+? Simply show more than 20% under 55. Simply show one family who successfully sued after being denied the opportunity to purchase. Simply show a ruling by HUD that the Villages has not complied with any required reporting. Any of those would be clear proof that the Villages is NOT enforcing 55+.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Bitsee

Did you not notice your outside surroundings when you were in the process of purchasing a home here ?

The Villages is now this huge sprawling metropolis with a Leesburg zip code and 4 other ones ! There are so many people of all ages everywhere you go in The Villages...not really a big surprise in my opinion.

Many pools are full of children of all ages at various times of day, golf carts are being driven by very young children, and the recreation centers are geared now for the young people as well with thier gaming rooms that were incorporated into them.

The majority of people occupying our cul-du-sac here are very young and still work because they are under the age of 50.
Another part of our neighborhood consists of young AirB tenants that change weekly.

I no longer consider The Villages this charming Idyllic retirement community that it WAS 16 years ago because the whole concept here and now has changed....it is for anyone that can afford to buy in here to enjoy everything that The Villages offers.
It's defiantly more about the
" Active Lifestyle " being offered and the word retirement is not even mentioned or come into play when young people purchase homes in here now.

However, It is kinda sad for us old folks that truly remember this place and it's original concept of 55+ retirement when we bought in here so many moons ago , a different world indeed....

“this charming Idyllic retirement community.”
Maybe no longer for you, wherever you are, but we are still enjoying the lifestyle near Lake Sumter landing.
Don’t see the things that concern you……

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

It is enforced by HUD. All you need to do, is request the documentation from HUD and they'll send it to you, under the Freedom of Information Act.

The Senior housing law ALLOWS for children to live in these properties, as long as at least 80% of them have at least one person 55 or older living in them as well.

And so - according to the LAW - 50% of the homes can have seniors AND their adult children AND their minor grandchildren all living in them, and 30% could have one person 55 years old, his 40-year-old wife, and their 10-year-old child living there, and it would be in compliance with the LAW.

The DEED RESTRICTIONS of our community are stricter than the law, and don't allow any children under the age of 19 to live here. THIS - is not enforced.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

The Senior housing law ALLOWS for children to live in these properties, as long as at least 80% of them have at least one person 55 or older living in them as well.

And so - according to the LAW - 50% of the homes can have seniors AND their adult children AND their minor grandchildren all living in them, and 30% could have one person 55 years old, his 40-year-old wife, and their 10-year-old child living there, and it would be in compliance with the LAW.

The DEED RESTRICTIONS of our community are stricter than the law, and don't allow any children under the age of 19 to live here. THIS - is not enforced.

Proof? Any proof? And not that family down the road who is embroiled in a deed restriction fight. Proof that the Developer is aware of a child under 19 living in a Village in violation of the deed restrictions and has not taken action to rectify the situation.

[Villagesgal]

Oh please.
I've lived here for over 24 years.
We moved here at 45 and 48 years old, had our home built, and we weren't the only young ones in our neighborhood. The rule has always been 20% of homes can be owned/ occupied by those under 55.
There are not children in any pools but family pools as always and the rec centers do not cater to young people or children except for Camp Villages which always has been for grandkids. The only difference is that now there are a lot of airbnbs in the newer neighborhoods and a lot more speculative buying. The Villages is still the amazing place it was in 2000, just a lot bigger, a lot more restaurants and shopping, all good thing. I'm sorry you are now disappointed in living here. We are still loving it, probably even more now.

[CarlR33]

Originally Posted by RobbyHarris

Doesn't that (unenforced) 80% or whatever % rule **NOT** apply to RESALES?

LOL, whom also have to get a resident card anyhow as well as paying the fees for it? We bought resale and went through the tiny bubbles hall before we got our resident cards.

[Packer Fan]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

There is no way The Villages is anywhere close to 20% under 55 (remember, only one in the house needs to be above 55). How do I know? Just look around.

Who would monitor when the first resale hits the 20.01% mark? No One.

You are right about the first part. A few years ago the temp ID people told me it was about 8% less than 55 years old, but that may have changed.

The second part, which has been incorrectly stated several times in this forum, is just not true - they do track EXACTLY how many are less than 55... Through the Resident ID program. PEOPLE, they know how old EVERYONE is, they have birthdates, and by the way they have your phone number too.

I bought when I was 51 (now 61) and I asked about it, they explained it completely. They are REQUIRED by US law to allow up to 20% less than 55, and they have to track it PER THE GOVERNMENT to maintain the 55+ status.

Seriously people, we are dealing with government laws here, and the villages which has an army of lawyers. Think about it.