Becker & Poliakoff

Are “55 and Older” Communities Still In Demand? What Must Be Done to Preserve Your Senior Lifestyle? An Engaging Discussion with Mark Friedman, Becker & Poliakoff

Are “55 and Older” Communities Still In Demand? What Must Be Done to Preserve Your Senior Lifestyle? An Engaging Discussion with Mark Friedman, Becker & Poliakoff

For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here!


This week, Becker Shareholder Mark D. Friedman, who provides legal counsel to condominium, homeowner and cooperative associations, sits down with Donna DiMaggio Berger to discuss “Housing for Older Persons” communities including their legal requirements for establishment and whether these communities have the same appeal today as they did in the past.

Conversation highlights include:

  • Mark discusses the three legal requirements that allow a community to safely classify itself as Housing for Older Persons.
  • What is the 80/20 Rule and why do many realtors misinterpret it?
  • How long can underage people occupy a unit in a senior housing community before that unit is counted as being non-compliant with the age restrictions?
  • What kind of age identification documents can be used for the community census and how should associations handle that sensitive information?
  • How to combat fraud when younger purchase applicants claim they will live with someone older for approval purposes only?
  • Are senior communities more resistant to recessions?
  • The sensitive business of evicting younger people from their homes.
  • Housing trends related to the senior lifestyle.

BONUS:  What Japan can teach others about living with senior citizens.

About Take It To The Board

Think you know what community association life is all about? Think again. Residents must obey the rules, directors must follow the law, and managers must keep it all running smoothly. Take It To The Board explores the reality of life in a condominium, cooperative or homeowners’ association, what’s really involved in serving on its board, and how to maintain that ever-so-delicate balance of being legally compliant and community spirited. Leading community association attorney Donna DiMaggio Berger acknowledges the balancing act without losing her sense of humor as she talks with a variety of association leaders, experts, and vendors about the challenges and benefits of the community association lifestyle.

If you’ve got a question, Take It To The Board with Donna DiMaggio Berger – We Speak Condo & HOA!

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