E.T., Largo

Federal and state laws say that an adult community only needs one person living in the residence that is 55 or older and all other residents must be 18 or older. If you documents say otherwise, I suggest that the board ask the association attorney how the documents reflect on the federal adult community laws concerning age discrimination. As to occupancy, that is a local code not a state or federal code. Again, your association attorney would need to prove that answer. Your question relates to the difference between your documents and the laws.

Q. I live in a small condominium. We have a few members who harass our board. While we have some problems, I feel they are not as important as these arguing people do\e. Too many of our members do not want to speak out to support our board. Three of our directors are up for election next month but have said that they will not run again. Our problem is that now no one wants to run for the board. Since half of the members are only here for the winter, they do not care about any condominium business. Any suggestion as how our condominium can overcome this reaction of ‘I do not want to help?’

S.H., Inverness

There is an old saying that 80 percent of the members do not care or support the association (the silent majority), 10 percent care and will become involved, 5 percent are the workers, and 5 percent are the non-supporters and fight the board. You must help the “I do not want to be involved” members to understand they need to become involved in the operations of the condominium. You also need to inform the part-time residents that they have an investment that must be maintained and operated. Maybe a newsletter or bulletin boards would be a start. Have open meetings or socials to discuss the affairs of the association. Invite guest speakers to answer questions of the members. Try to get the members talking to each other. Establish an email or other method to allow “up-North” members to know what is happening and help to get them more involved. I have often said that boards that are challenged often make better decisions.