[FL] HOA becoming hostile to families.
On mobile, please excuse formatting.
I've lived in this HOA for 11 years and haven't had any issues until recently. In the last year or so I've noticed changes or new rules that either directly name children, or are very suggesting towards children. Many families with children, long time residents started families (including mine) or retirees with visiting grandchildren have moved in within the last year or two.
Our pool had always had the "14 or younger must be accompanied by adult" rule and I understand now this is probably an FHA violation. Within the last 4 months, they issued all babies and toddlers must wear swim diapers rule. No rule for incontinent adults. Also about 4 months ago (always had them for the 11 years I was here) they took away all the pool noodles the association used to let residence use and installed a "No Floatation Devices" sign. My child is young and can't swim without a floatation device. There are infants here that also require them. They tried to pass 55+ amendment and many young families, including mine, didn't recieved the letter to vote. Luckily it didn't pass.
As for the grape vine, many older residence have been heard stating they want families with children out.
Are any of these clear FHA violations against familial status? Should I contact the management company? What do I say?
Thank you all in advance!
Posted Apr 21, 2019, 10:12 PM UTC
Reasonable health and safety rules about the pool area -- such as swim diapers -- are not likely to violate FHA.
Put water wings on your kid and teach them how to swim. But if you want to start a federal lawsuit over floaties, then talk to a lawyer. You should keep in mind that by suing the HOA, you are effectively suing yourself, and a special assessment can be levied to pay any judgment or attorney fees.
Thank you for your reply! I do appreciate the pool health and safety. Mine wears them. It was more towards incontinent adults are not required to wear them. If it was about health and safety, shouldn't they have to wear them too?
As for the floatation, just seems strange we were provided them for years. Once kids started moving in here they were taken away. Many families felt it was personal. Especially with the comments.
I do appreciate your input.
Floatation devices are a safety concern. They give people a false sense of security in the water, especially kids who are poor swimmers.
Urine isn’t as much of a concern as feces. Pool chemicals can neutralize a fair amount of pee, not so much a blown-out kid’s diaper contents. Most incontinent adults do not have that problem.
Thank you for the reply! This part of my post was brought up by one of the neighbors with an infant. She does diaper her baby, but apparently one if her neighbors (I don't know them) has a.. leakage? problem. When she asked about it, they only said children and toddlers.
Edit: I suppose this could be a he said she said about the neighbor. I don't go around asking people about their medical problems.
Has that ever been an issue? HOA rules generally address common problems, not anything that could possibly happen.
Anyway, it doesn't mean common sense rules like swim diapers are illegal discrimination.