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My parents live in a 55+ community down in North Florida and am wondering if I can stay with them for a few months while I look for a new job (and place). My company just laid off a bunch of people and I am one of the unlucky ones. On top of it, my current landlord decided to sell his house because of the housing frenzy. So not only do I need to find a new job but I also need a new place to stay. Of course, it wouldn't be ideal for me to find a place, sign the lease only to leave immediately because I find a job. I am not an outdoor person. Even in my current place, I leave the house about once every two weeks to buy groceries. I never party and keep it to myself. I am single.


So two questions:
1. Can I secretly live with them for the time being?
2. Will the management find out? They do have the right to inspect any lots.


Thank you, everyone.

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Some 55+ have provisions for visitors,, how long depends on the place and you can check. I would see if you could pass on being a caregiver for the short term.
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If you're just one person, I doubt they will care. Of course if a BF and especially his children come into the picture, they would care way more.
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You parents need to ask the manager if you can stay there. Their lease probably has that no one can live there for an extended period. Your parents could be evicted for noncompliance of the lease. Or, they can ask that you leave in a certain period of time or be evicted. I would not "secretly" live there. They are 55 and up for a reason.
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Honesty is your best policy here. Go talk to management and see what their rules are. If you are choosing to "secretly live" there, then essentially you already know it may be unacceptable. Why put your folks at risk of being asked to leave?
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Riley2166 Dec 2021
Based on a lifetime of experience and being a "genius" when it comes to business issues, I would be very leery of talking with management. Management is NOT the friend of the rank and file - that is why they are management. NEVER, EVER ASK A QUESTION THAT MIGHT RESULT IN A NO IF YOU REALLY WANT A YES ANSWER. Seek out other solutions and if something happens, then you are prepared before you are endangered. Be wise - it is us vs. them in the cut throat world of business and RULES.
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Only any one individual in the family needs to be over 55. There may, however, be restrictions in the condominium documents (assuming it is a condominium) that restrict the number of bedrooms and the number of people in each bedroom which ,mostly can be ignored.
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Have you even asked the folks if it is ok with them?

I get the feeling that this is a modular home development.
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I'd check with a lawyer, a Legal Services group, etc., with a copy of your parents' lease and restrictions in hand. You could peruse it yourself and specifically look for age restrictions, and then go from there.
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Just a comment concerning only one person needs to be 55. This is a married couple. One of them needs to be 55. 55 and ups are just that. They do not want anyone younger living there. They are trying to keep people out that may have children. The 55 and up where I live will not allow grandchildren for any length if stay.

You parents need to ask permission.
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It all depends! I know a bit about this and every one of these 55+ communities are different. If your parents are owners the worst case scenario would be that your parents get a warning if they are violation of any rules. If they are renters they could be evicted. If you were there only a few months and they own the place and you were really careful it may work. There are always a lot of nosey watchers who gossip. If you bring attention to yourself leaving early and getting home late and making noise or having visitors come will likely bring trouble.

Tread lightly....
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You should not secretly move in. Check on the rules and it might be perfectly okay to "visit" and help your parents out with things they may need to get caught up with. When I lived for a year in 55+ housing, a guy was living with his mom across from me in another building. He was disruptive, loud, and sat outside yelling about his political views. He got kicked out. You won't be doing anything like that. It was very quiet there otherwise. I appreciated the security that sort of housing offered, as I was new to living alone in a big city, but it is not a place for younger people. I think if you put most of your belongings in a storage unit, sleep on the couch or extra bed that they have in order to not get too comfortable there, and truly be out looking for work every day, no one will care, but only if the rules allow it. Follow the rules. Maybe volunteer to help with activities for the elders. Make yourself useful.
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I agree to the best of your ability follow the rules - BUT IF THEY ENDANGER YOU, SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND STAY OUT OF SIGHT UNTIL YOU FIND A PLACE TO LIVE. Rules may be legal but that does not mean they are morally right and often not "human oriented" at all - better to suit management. I would try to find someone I trusted and have them call and "inquire" about all of this, pretend as if they are thinking of moving there, etc. Be discreet, give NO information that can come back to you. You would be amazed at what you can find out. In the meantime, YOU must protect YOURSELF......you came into bad circumstances and are trying to fix them - and you will - but keep quiet.
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Riley2166 Dec 2021
And to protect yourself, keep detailed records of every place, person, etc. that you are reaching out to in order to find a job and housing. That may swing things in your favor - you can't be expected to live on the street.
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It'll all be very clearly spelled out in the community's CC&Rs and sales contracts. Your parents should have all of that at hand.

I'll tell you that I think it's highly unlikely that you can move in for a few months. Maybe a couple of weeks, but an open-ended number of months? Probably not. It defeats the entire premise of a 55-and-over community.

I suggest you look into a short-term rental like an Air BnB or VRBO that wouldn't require you to sign a lease. A landlord of one of those might cut you a deal if you agreed to lease for three months, rather than week-to-week.
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A variety of suggestions here, more info is needed. Do they own or rent? Is it one building with apartments or side by side units? It really depends on the " CCR'S" rules. Many places allow a family member to live in for a specific time ( 6 months is common) also care givers must be allowed. Talk with your folks, is this something they want you to do? It sounds like a good solution to your immediate needs, but not a permanent one. My thought is don't risk their home if it is strictly banned. Good luck.
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Look at your parent's lease to see if it specifically says that someone cannot stay longer than "x" amount of time. If it is vague and it were me, I would try it. As long as you are actively looking for employment and a place to live and it doesn't last for more than 2 months, you will more than likely be ok. Your parents cannot tell their friends about your arrangement and you need to lay low.

If their lease is very specific and they could be evicted, don't risk it.
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If it is a couple, one person must be 55 or older, the other does not have to be. Not sure about a 3rd person. Good idea to read their contract like others have said.
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I live in South Florida. Usually, as long as the parents are 55+ an adult child is allowed to stay with them.
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The fact that you state management has the rights to inspect the lots speaks volumes, they are likely very serious with the rules

Check the lease, and do not try to cheat it. It could get your parents evicted. This happened a ton back during the housing crash. Adult children would move in "temporarily" which ended up being months to years, and the parents were evicted.

55+ communities exist for a reason... they're for people 55+. Not couch surfers that move in for an unspecified amount of time.
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MargaretMcKen Dec 2021
The reason is to provide a nice quiet environment for people with similar interests. I know several motor bike enthusiasts over 55 who wouldn't be welcome. Keep your head down, have a boring elderly car, and invest in a white wig if it helps.
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It probably depends on the rules of your parents' Community. I would not try to do it "in secret.". If there is an allowance for an under-55 family member to be a guest for 2 months or so, that might give you time to properly relocate. You might be able to live there in secret, but it is just not a nice feeling to live where you know you don't belong. If there were a provision where you could legally stay for a while, you would be happier as an accepted guest of the community.
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Ledio33223f: The answer that you're looking for should be found in your parents' lease.
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Hi! Why not just explain the situation and ASK? Why would you even risk getting your Mom and Dad in trouble (I.e. kicked out?).
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My mother and I live in an IL apt complex. It states in our lease that we may have a visitor up to 14 days. After that they have to leave. I would check your parents contract or lease agreements, perhaps talk to the property manager or leasing agent and explain your situation. Might make an exception…,,,we live in central Florida in a mostly retirement town. Our winter visitors are arriving in droves right now.
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read the by laws but I feel confident that you can. 18 and under is a problem.
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Each rental agreement has especific rules, about how many people can live in the premises, how many pets if any, visitors, etc, etc. Check the rules.
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