Florida daughter says HOA is trying to force her out of 55-plus community after inheriting home from dad

Key Points:

• Bethany Michel, a 28-year-old homeowner, is facing eviction from her inherited home in a 55-and-over retirement community in Jacksonville due to age restrictions, with the HOA suing her to enforce these rules.
• The HOA board approved a special $1,000 assessment on 155 residents to fund legal fees for the lawsuit against Michel, despite many residents disagreeing with the decision.
• Michel has been denied access to community amenities and is required to pay both her own legal fees and the HOA’s special assessment, effectively funding the lawsuit against herself.
• The community’s covenants mandate at least one occupant per home be 55 or older, and while ownership can be transferred to younger individuals, occupancy restrictions apply, aligning with federal Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) regulations.
• Despite opposition, Michel remains defiant and optimistic, emphasizing the rarity of homeownership for young adults and asserting her intention to stay in the home her father arranged for her to inherit.