HOA Votes Woman Out Of 55+ Community For Being Too Young After Inheriting Home

A Florida woman says she is being forced to leave the home she inherited from her late father after her homeowners association determined she does not meet the community's age requirements.

What happened

According to reports:

• Bethany Michel, 28, inherited her father's home in Freedom at Arbor Mill, a 55-and-older community in Jacksonville, Florida.

• Her father, Paul Michel, purchased the home in 2019.

• Bethany moved in to care for him as his health declined.

• After his death in 2023, he left the home to her in his will.

Why the dispute arose

The community was established for residents who are 55 years of age or older.

According to Bethany, the homeowners association voted unanimously that she cannot remain in the community because she does not satisfy the age requirement.

The broader issue

Age-restricted communities often operate under federal housing laws that allow them to limit residency to older adults, though exceptions and specific rules can vary depending on:

• The community's governing documents.

• State law.

• Federal housing regulations.

Whether Bethany can remain in the home may ultimately depend on those legal requirements and any applicable exemptions.

Bottom line

Bethany Michel inherited her late father's home in a Florida 55+ community after serving as his caregiver. The homeowners association has voted that she must leave because she is only 28, raising questions about how age-restricted housing rules apply when property is inherited.