March/April 2018 - StarChapter...4710 New Tampa Highway, Lakeland, FL 33815-3256 (863) 688-9271 or...
Transcript of March/April 2018 - StarChapter...4710 New Tampa Highway, Lakeland, FL 33815-3256 (863) 688-9271 or...
March/April 2018I
The Official Publication of the Federation of Manufactured Home Owners of Florida, Inc.
news FMO March/April 2018
March/April 20182
2FMO News
Ac cep tance of ad ver tis ing by the FMO News does not con stitute an en dorse ment by the FMO. A Preferred Pro vid er logo signifies a special FMO benefit the or ga ni za tion has con tract ed with the com pa ny.
Volume 55, Number 2
The Federation of Manufactured Home Owners (FMO) News is the official publication of the Federation of Manufactured Home Own ers of Flor i da, Inc.—a state-wide or ga ni za tion—and is in no way affiliated with or subsidized by any mobile home manufac turer, deal er, park or in dus try association.
The FMO News (ISSN 0274-9882; USPS 356-320) is pub-lished bi-monthly by the Federation of Manufactured Home Owners of Flor i da, Inc., 4020 Portsmouth Road, Largo, FL 33771-3318; phone: (727) 530-7539. FMO Website: www.fmo1.org. Periodicals Post age Paid at Largo, FL, and at ad di tion al mail ing of fic es. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address notices to FMO News, P.O. Box 5350, Largo, FL 33779-5350. Opin ions ex pressed in articles are not nec es sari ly those of the FMO or its publisher. Mem ber-ship in the Federation of Manufactured Home Own ers of Flor i da, Inc., is $25 (U.S.) an nu al ly or $65 (U.S.) for a three-year membership and in cludes the FMO News sub scrip tion (one copy per home). Forty cents of every membership is al lo cat ed to the pub lish ing of the FMO News. Back is sues of the FMO News can be obtained for $1.88 per issue, if available, by writing to the above address. ©2014 Federation of Manufactured Home Own ers of Florida, Inc.
Official publication of the Fed er a tion of Manufactured Home Owners of Florida
FMO NEWS
The Federation of Manufactured Home Owners, Inc.
Joyce Fish(727) 530-7539
EDITORIAL
Publisher
ADVERTISING SALESAccount Executive
Executive DirectorJane Clapp
Member ServicesManager
Beth [email protected]
Account ExecutiveJoyce Fish
Federation oF ManuFactured HoMeowners oF Florida
4020 Portsmouth Rd., Largo, FL 33771
Phone: (727) 5307539Fax: (727) 5359427
Website: www.fmo1.org
FMO Administrative Staff
2
BROWARD/DADE COUNTYDillon Insurance Agency, Inc.
6884 Taft Street, Hollywood, FL 33024(954) 961-0503
N. Broward (954) 973-7443 Dade (305) 261-7963Toll-free (866)-961-0503
PINELLAS/PASCO/POLK, MANATEE/SARASOTA, HILLSBOROUGHCHARLOTTE/LEE/COLLIER COUNTY
Coverage Available Statewide (except in Dade & Monroe Counties)Security Life and Casualty
3750-5th Avenue N., St. Petersburg, FL 33713Pinellas/Pasco/Hillsborough (727) 327-7616
Manatee (941) 746-2836Sarasota (941) 365-1684
All Other Counties (800) 247-7133www.slcinsurefl.com
AUTO INSURANCE QUOTES AVAILABLE
POLK/HILLSBOROUGH/PASCOJack’s Insurance Agency, Inc.
4710 New Tampa Highway, Lakeland, FL 33815-3256(863) 688-9271 or 800-732-0328
Fax: 863-683-8698email: [email protected]
COVERAGE AVAILABLE STATEWIDEBankers Alliance Insurance Group
240 NW Peacock Blvd., Suite 102Port Saint Lucie, FL 34986
(800) 568-5163 or (772) 337-9787or apply online at: www.baigonline.com
Mobile/Manufactured Home
INSURANCE SPECIALIST
Call one of these experienced agencies!
21st Century FMOJerry DurhamFMO President
21st Century FMO..............................................3Capitol Beat..........................................................6 Legal Ease.............................................................9HOA Seminar Information..............................16Team DBPR........................................................14 Membership Contest........................................ 18
Education Committee..................................19Member Services..........................................20News From the Field....................................22Tie Down Program.......................................27FMO Resource Material Form ...................30
Table Of Contents
March/April 20183
Geetings Everyone,
Just like life situations today, FMO and all orga-nizations suffer from complacency. We stand up against racism, abuse of women, political incor-rectness and rightfully so. However, I am confused as to why our outrage diminishes after a relatively short time when people including children are mas-sacred by automatic weapons. I am truly sorry for getting off topic but as of this writing we just wit-nessed the mass shootings in another school. I saw one article that said this is the 13th school shooting in 2018.
With that being said, advocacy is so vital to our existence as a society. The previous generation believed in joining together for common causes such as to stop tyranny, improving living condi-tions and wages. They also founded the FMO to advocate for Mobile/Manufactured Home Owners in our state. At its peak, membership approached 100,000. That provided them with funding and political power to truly protect our lifestyle.
Although today’s membership is less than 20% of our peak times, our mission remains the same. I am so grateful for the many volunteers that assist us in carrying out this effort. Complacency has hit us hard as well. Our current and new residents are part of a different generation. We grew up ques-tioning authority, needing to see how something impacts us and my favorite “Don’t Trust Anyone over 30”.
Our challenge is to let residents know what we are doing, most of which goes unpublicized. Efforts such as killing a sales tax on our rents before it hap-pens, monitoring all Legislation that may affect our residents, supporting an amendment that caps commercial real estate taxes and proposing our own Legislation. We meet with the Division of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) on mobile homes in Tallahassee to discuss our issues and the status of open complaints.
We are monitoring and contributing to national issues such as the review of HUD rules and com-plaint procedures. Also, we are monitoring a bill in the U.S. Congress that would require HUD to con-sider Manufactured Homes when developing plans and recommendations for low income housing.
Locally we have or will intervene on behalf of our residents in recent situations where park own-ers have changed a rule to give them the ‘right of first refusal’ when selling your home, ignoring infrastructure issues, park managers who bend the rules to sell a home and assisting Homeowner’s Associations in the understanding of the law.
Tell your neighbors why they should be members of the “21st Century FMO”.
Contact me with your thoughts, ideas and com-ments at [email protected].
Jerry
March/April 20184
PRESIDENTJerry Durham(941) [email protected]
FMO CONTACTS VICE PRESIDENTTom Bertz (863) [email protected]
DIRECTOR AT LARGERussell Watson(860) [email protected]
DIRECTOR AT LARGE John Salvucci (407) 390-1147 [email protected]
DIRECTOR AT LARGERichard Twort(386) [email protected]
SECTION I - Districts 2 & 10 DISTRICT 2 - PinellasJohn Hisiro - President(724) [email protected]
DISTRICT 10 - HillsboroughRandy Holeyfield-President(813) [email protected]
SECTION II - Districts 5, 7, 8David Desrochers(518) [email protected]
DISTRICT 5 - Manatee DISTRICT 7-Charlotte, DISTRICT 8 - SarasotaJoan Bartlett Lee, Collier, Hendry Norm Kauffman-President(941) 739-3989 John Bowman - President (574) [email protected] (708) 214-8142 [email protected] [email protected]
SECTION III - Districts 14 & 16Barry Hirshfield (386) [email protected]
DISTRICT 14 - Volusia, Flagler, Duval,St Johns, Santa RosaDana Matlock - President(386) [email protected]
DISTRICT 16 - Seminole, Orange, OsceolaChris Ball - President(954) [email protected]
SECTION IV- Districts 12 & 12A DISTRICT 12 - Broward, Dade, MonroeCalvin McQueen - President(267) [email protected]
DISTRICT 12A Palm Beach
SECTION V - Districts 1 & 6Loretta Vittorio(315) [email protected]
DISTRICT 1 - Polk DISTRICT 6 - DeSoto, Glades, Hardee,Highlands
SECTION VI - Districts 3 & 13James Mull(352) [email protected]
DISTRICT 3 - LakeJohn Petrella - President(352) [email protected]
DISTRICT 13 - Marion, Alachua, PutnamJohn W Bond - President(352) [email protected]
SECTION VII - Districts 4 & 9Robert Dittmar(772) [email protected]
DISTRICT 4 - Indian River, St Lucie, Okeechobee, MartinJames Timm - President(775) [email protected]
DISTRICT 9 - BrevardRon Guarnieri - President(321) [email protected]
SECTION IX - Districts 11 & 17 DISTRICT 11 -Pasco (W of US 41), HernandoAnn LaFountain - President(727) [email protected]
DISTRICT 17- Pasco (E of US 41), Sumter, Citrus
Position Open
Position Open Position Open
Position Open
Position Open
Position Open Position Open
Mission Statement
The purpose of the Federation is to promote the general welfare of its members and protect the rights and interests of manufactured/mobile home owners and to be a consumer advocate for manufactured/mobile home owners.
What is FMO?In 1962, the St. Petersburg City Council planned to enact an ordinance mandating that mobile home owners install tie-downs, a very expensive proposition then. Peggy Johnstone, upset by the impending mandate, contacted fellow mobile home owners and, on March 26th, 77 communities came together to defeat the ordinance. The FMO was founded that day with a clear vision in place: protect the interests of manufactured/mobile home owners in Florida.
COMMUNITY CONTACT WITH FMOCurrently we have three ways to make contact within a manufactured home
community.
FMO Park Representative • FMO Park Unit • FMO Point of Contact
The FMO Point of Contact has no responsibility to FMO other than agreeing to post notices on a community bulletin board, or announce at a coffee hour when and where FMO District Meetings will be held.
21st Century FMO
March/April 20185
By FMO Legislative Counsel Nancy Black Stewart
CAPITOL BEATYour News from Tallahassee
Busy Times in Tallahassee!
I. The Legislature was on track for an on-time adjournment on March 9 until the world ended for 17 souls in Broward County on February 14. I send my thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of the deceased. Both the House and Senate were prepared to begin budget negotiations on their respective appropriations bills.
The tragedy in Parkland has paused regular legislative activity while the Legislature attempts to create solutions and alternatives to prevent similar horrific events. It is interesting to hear such compelling arguments on both sides of the various issues. Some support a ban on all manner of weapon ownership and others believe everyone should be entitled to be armed at all times in any setting. Whatever your personal opinion, there is probably a Legislator now advocating for that very idea as well.
You may recall that crafting and approving a budget for the next fiscal year is the only obli-gation that the state Constitution requires of the Legislature in each Regular Session. FMO will be vigilant both to maintain funding for the Mobile Home Tie-Down Program and to pre-serve the funds in the Florida Mobile Home Relocation Trust Fund in light of recent activity in other affordable housing trust funds.
II. The timing of this year’s Session creates an opportunity for our parks and communities. Legislators and their legislative aides will be returning to their districts during the week of March 12. Now is the time to extend an invitation to your Representative and Senator to attend a meeting in your park or community. Local elected officials should be on your agen-das as well…but they don’t leave town for 10 weeks and therefore may be more accessible at other times.
There are some areas of the state where the demographics and housing do not support mobile home parks or manufactured home communities, (downtown Orlando!). It is so important to engage legislators where you enjoy the lifestyle you have chosen. The best way for them to understand some of the challenges you face and worries you have is to hear directly from you. Many of you travel in May and June so the ideal time for legislators to meet with you is in late March and April…and the invitation should be offered soon…their schedules fill up very quickly!
March/April 20186
March/April 20187
Let them hear from you. Let them understand your concerns. Talk to them…YOU are the ones they want to hear from and visit!
III. I am providing the information below and on the following page at the request of several FMO members. Often there is a need to contact other state agencies besides DBPR. I realize that “Google” provides so much information about any given thing…however, that is not always conve-nient. I hope this information is helpful.
Citizens Property Insurance Customer Care ..............................888.685.1555
Consumer Services ..............................................................850.410.3724
Elder Rights Abuse Prevention...............................................850.414.2180
Elder Community-Based Services ...........................................850.414.2135
Elder Helpline Information & Referral .....................................800.963.5337
Elder Housing and Transportation ..........................................850.414.2343
Health & Sanitation ...........................................................Your County Health Department
HUD Manufactured Home Dispute Resolution Program…administered by:
FL Bureau of Mobile Home & RV Construction ...........................850.617.2808
Insurance Consumer Advocate ..............................................850.413.2868
Mobile Home Tie-Down Program .............................................850.201.8508
Veterans’ Benefits & Assistance .............................................727.319.7421
Voter Registration .............................................................. Your County Supervisor of Elections
Happy St. Patrick’s DayMarch 17th
TH
E
FL
OR
ID
A
EL
EC
TO
RA
TE
EXEC
UTIV
E BR
ANCH
JUDI
CIAL
BRA
NCH
LEGI
SLAT
IVE
BRAN
CH
GOVE
RNOR
LIEUT
ENAN
T GO
VERN
OR
EXEC
UTIV
E OF
FICE
OF
THE
GOVE
RNOR
DEPA
RTME
NT
OF LE
GAL
AFFA
IRS
TH
E F
LO
RID
A C
AB
INE
T
ATTO
RNEY
GE
NERA
LCH
IEF F
INAN
CIAL
OF
FICE
RCO
MMIS
SION
ER
OF A
GRIC
ULTU
RE
DEPA
RTME
NT
OF F
INAN
CIAL
SE
RVIC
ES
DEPA
RTME
NT O
F AG
RICU
LTUR
E AN
D CO
NSUM
ER
SERV
ICES
JUDI
CIAL
QU
ALIF
ICAT
IONS
CO
MMIS
SION
SUPR
EME
COUR
T
DIST
RICT
CO
URTS
OF
APPE
AL
CIRC
UIT
COUR
TS
COUN
TY
COUR
TS
JUST
ICE
ADMI
NIST
RATIV
E CO
MMIS
SION ST
ATE
ATTO
RNEY
PUBL
IC
DEFE
NDER
S
GUAR
DIAN
AD LI
TEM
CAPI
TAL
COLL
ATER
AL
COUN
SEL
HOUS
E OF
RE
PRES
ENTA
TIVES
SENA
TE
STAN
DING
AN
D SE
LECT
CO
MMIT
TEES
OFFI
CE O
F EC
ONOM
IC A
ND
DEMO
GRAP
HIC
RESE
ARCH
COMM
ISSI
ON O
N ET
HICS
PUBL
IC S
ERVI
CE
COMM
ISSI
ON
STAN
DING
AN
D SE
LECT
CO
MMIT
TEES
OFFI
CE O
F PR
OGRA
M PO
LICY
ANAL
YSIS
AN
D GO
VERN
MENT
AC
COUN
TABI
LITY
OFFI
CE O
F PU
BLIC
CO
UNSE
L
JOIN
T CO
MMIT
TEES
AUDI
TOR
GENE
RAL
LAND
AND
WAT
ER
ADJU
DICA
TORY
CO
MMIS
SION
1
STAT
E BO
ARD
OF E
XECU
TIVE
CLEM
ENCY
FINA
NCIA
L SE
RVIC
ES
COMM
ISSI
ON
FLOR
IDA
COMM
ISSI
ON
ON O
FFEN
DER
REVI
EW
STAT
E BO
ARD
OF
ADMI
NIST
RATIO
NAD
MINI
STRA
TION
COMM
ISSI
ON2
BOAR
D OF
TRUS
TEES
OF
THE
INTE
RNAL
IM
PROV
EMEN
T TR
UST
FUND
DEPA
RTME
NT
OF LA
W
ENFO
RCEM
ENT
DEPA
RTME
NT O
F HI
GHW
AY S
AFET
Y AN
D MO
TOR
VEHI
CLES
DEPA
RTME
NT
OF R
EVEN
UE
DEPA
RTME
NT
OF V
ETER
ANS’
AF
FAIR
S
OFFI
CE O
F FI
NANC
IAL
REGU
LATI
ON
OFFI
CE O
F IN
SURA
NCE
REGU
LATI
ON
DIVI
SION
OF
BON
D FI
NANC
E
CABINET FUNCTIONS/ENTITIES
AGEN
CY F
OR
HEAL
TH C
ARE
ADMI
NIST
RATIO
N
AGEN
CY F
OR
PERS
ONS
WIT
H DI
SABI
LITIE
S
DEPA
RTME
NT
OF C
HILD
REN
AND
FAMI
LIES
DEPA
RTME
NT
OF H
EALT
H
DEPA
RTME
NT
OF E
LDER
AF
FAIR
S
FISH
AND
W
ILDLIF
E CO
NSER
VATIO
N CO
MMIS
SION
DEPA
RTME
NT O
F TR
ANSP
ORTA
TION
DEPA
RTME
NT
OF S
TATE
DEPA
RTME
NT
OF T
HE
LOTT
ERY
DEPA
RTME
NT O
F BU
SINE
SS A
ND
PROF
ESSI
ONAL
RE
GULA
TION
DEPA
RTME
NT
OF M
ILITA
RY
AFFA
IRS
DEPA
RTME
NT
OF
CORR
ECTI
ONS
DEPA
RTME
NT
OF JU
VENI
LE
JUST
ICE
DEPA
RTME
NT O
F EN
VIRO
NMEN
TAL
PROT
ECTIO
N
TAX
COLL
ECTO
R
SHER
IFF
PROP
ERTY
AP
PRAI
SER
SUPE
RVIS
OR O
F EL
ECTIO
NSCL
ERK
OF
CIRC
UIT C
OURT
COUN
TIES
CHAR
TER/
NONC
HART
ER
BOAR
D OF
CO
MMIS
SION
ERS
MUN
ICIP
ALIT
IES
CONS
OLID
ATED
/HO
ME
RULE
WAT
ER
MANA
GEME
NT
DIST
RICT
S7
COUN
CILS
/CO
MMIS
SION
S
SCHO
OL
DIST
RICT
S
SUPE
RINT
ENDE
NTS/
SC
HOOL
BOA
RDS
SPEC
IAL D
ISTR
ICT
INDE
PEND
ENT/
DEPE
NDEN
T
DEPA
RTME
NT O
F MA
NAGE
MENT
SE
RVIC
ES DIVI
SION
OF
ADMI
NIST
RATIV
E HE
ARIN
GS
DEPA
RTME
NT O
F EC
ONOM
IC
OPPO
RTUN
ITY
FLOR
IDA
COLL
EGE
SYST
EM
DEPA
RTME
NT O
F ED
UCAT
ION
STAT
E BO
ARD
OF E
DUCA
TION
COMM
ISSI
ONER
OF
EDUC
ATIO
N
STAT
EWID
E BO
ARD
OF G
OVER
NORS
STAT
E UN
IVER
SITY
SY
STEM
Offi
ce o
f Pro
gram
Pol
icy
Ana
lysi
s an
d G
over
nmen
t Acc
ount
abilit
y –
Aug
ust 2
017
EXECUTIVE AGENCIES LOCAL GOVERNMENT
= Fun
ction
of G
overn
or an
d Cab
inet
= Stat
utory
Entity
= Con
stitut
ional
Entity
= Uniq
ue R
elatio
nship
= Adm
inistr
ative
ly Ho
used
Only
= Foo
tnote
FLOR
IDA
CITR
US
COMM
ISSI
ONDE
PART
MENT
OF
CITR
US
COUN
TY H
EALT
H DE
PART
MENT
S6
AGEN
CY F
OR
STAT
E TE
CHNO
LOGY
4
3
5
CRIM
INAL
CO
NFLIC
T AND
CI
VIL C
OUNS
EL
23
March/April 20188
RENTAL TERMWe have new Park Owners and they are going to raise our rent, not on January 1 but 30 to 60 days after and that will change our rent next year to February or March. Is that legal or does it have to be on January 1, which has been as long as the park has been open? They have to give us 90 days before they do which? This is going to mess up the fire tax and other things we pay outside of the base rent.
ANSWER: If the Park Owner is late on its 90-day notice, the Park Owner may give a new 90-day notice effective 90 days after the new notice, but the rental term would still end on December 31. See Section 723.031(5)(d), F.S., which provides:
“(d) If a notice of increase in lot rent-al amount is not given 90 days before the renewal date of the rental agreement, the rental agreement must remain under the same terms until a 90-day notice of increase in lot rental amount is given. The notice may provide for a rental term shorter than 1 year in order to maintain the same renewal date.”
The Park Owner must give the Homeowners and the Board of Directors a 90-day notice of
an increase in “Lot Rental Amount.” Taxes, pass ons, Special Use Fees, and Base Rent are all included in Lot Rental Amount and would have to be included in the new 90-day notice.
PARK MANAGER & MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEESWhat is the definition of a “Social HOA?”If the park manager and park maintenance employees are homeowners in our manufac-tured home park, are they subject to the same rules and regulations in the prospectus as all the other homeowners?
ANSWER: There is no definition of “social HOA” in Chapter 723 or any of the manda-tory associations. There are, in some Chapter 723 parks, incorporated social clubs that are totally unrelated to the Chapter 723 corpora-tion, have their own insurance, and conduct all or most of the social activities in the Park. “Social Club” is a term used to describe a 501(c)7 Tax Exempt organization.
Yes, the Park Manager and the Park employ-ees who are homeowners in a Chapter 723 mobile home park are subject to and must
LEGAL By Lee Jay Colling, FMO Legal Counsel
HAVE A LEGAL QUESTION?You can submit a question for FMO's Legal Counsel's consideration in one of the following ways:Email: [email protected]: (727) 535-9427Mail: FMO Office, 4020 Portsmouth Rd., Largo 33771
Because the FMO News is a bi-monthly magazine, it will take at least 2 1/2 months to have questions answered and published in the magazine.
Deadline for MAY/JUNE 2018 issue is APRIL 1, 2018.
Lee Jay Colling
March/April 20189
comply with the Park’s Rules and Regulations.
ONLY LICENSED CONTRACTORS?At Ranchero Village, we need a licensed con-tractor to have exterior work done at our homes. This prevents local handymen to assist us and of course, the charges are more afford-able with local handymen. Anyone working on outdoor projects are fined along with the owner. I am wondering, since this is a 55+com-munity with homeowners on fixed incomes, if the city would exempt us from this restriction.
ANSWER: I would recommend that you have your attorney check on whether the adop-tion of this rule was in accordance with the amendment requirements of Chapter 723. However, it is very doubtful that the city would exempt the homeowners from this rule.
COMPLIANCE WITH 55 & OVERIs a Chapter 723 Park Owner who claims compliance with the 55 & Over law required to do a census of residents? If so, how fre-quently and is it obliged to share it with the Homeowner’s Association?
ANSWER: The answer to your question is governed by Section 760.20 through 760.37, F.S., which has been designated as the Florida “Fair Housing Act.” Section 760.23 states, among other things, that it is unlawful to dis-criminate against any person regarding the sale or rental of a dwelling because of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, familial status, or religion. (Emphasis added).
However, Section 760.29(4)(a) states that any provision in the Fair Housing Act regard-ing familial status does not apply to hous-ing intended and operated for occupancy by persons 55 years of age or older that meet certain requirements set forth in Section 760.29(4)(a)-(e), Florida Statutes. These
requirements include housing where at least 80 percent of the occupied units are occu-pied by at least one person 55 years of age or older, and include the requirements that any community claiming an exemption must comply with the rules made by HUD requir-ing verification by reliable surveys and any community claiming an exemption “shall” register with the Florida Commission on Human Relations and shall provide verifica-tion documentation which must be renewed every two years.
For those of you who consider the above to be more than you want to know, the answer to the question is “Yes, the Park Owner must conduct a biennial census evidencing compli-ance with the 80/20 rule and the census must be available for inspection by anyone.
If you are interested in reading my article on the subject of “55 & Over,” please request a copy by sending an email to: [email protected]
HOA DIRECTOR EMPLOYED BY PARK?Is it legal to have one spouse serving on our HOA Board of Directors if his or her spouse is employed in our community by the park owner corporation?
ANSWER: There is nothing illegal about a spouse of a Park Owner employee serv-ing on the Association’s Board of Directors. However, this could result in a conflict of interest. I always advise associations to include in their By-laws a provision that “—the Park Owner and any person or spouse of a person related to or employed by the Park Owner, including but not limited to past or present employees, agents, officers, directors, partners, or relatives by blood or marriage, shall not be eligible to serve on the Board of Directors of the Association. These restric-tions may be waived by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.”
March/April 201810
CLARIFICATION OF REDUCTION IN SERVICESI read with interest your answer, in the January/February 2018 issue of FMO News, to the ques-tion about Community Storage Area and I am seeking some clarification.
Our park, Woodland Lakes on Highway 17-92 just outside Lake Alfred, Polk County, faces this issue - and I will be elected to the Board of the HOA in February, so I want to be as informed as possible.
Our owners have provided a secure outdoor storage area for boats, trailers, etc. free of charge until the new park manager announced a $25 per month storage fee effective in November. I gather, from your answer, that this might well constitute a reduction of ser-vices under the Act, which should be compen-sated by a reduction in rent.
My question is the following: Our park has about 160 homeowners, but only about 20 make use of the storage (and are subject to the $25 monthly fee), so what is a reasonable way to calculate the quantum of reduction in servic-es? The storage is capacity-limited, so it is phys-ically impossible for any more than 20 users to be accommodated. Should all 160 homeown-ers receive a reduction in rent, and if so, how much? Should non-users not have a rent reduc-tion because they are not users of the storage “benefit”? Should all owners be considered to have lost a service, and hence all be compen-sated? If so, what is a reasonable level?
Presumably, one possible approach would be to value the availability of storage at $25 x 20 users = $500 per month, so that each owner has had his/her benefits reduced by $500/160 = $3.13 a month?
Does it matter legally if the availability of secure storage is or is not explicitly mentioned in the contract signed by homeowners, if it has been available and used for many years
ANSWER: Again, your Park Owner is remov-
ing a service that was previously included in your lot rental amount, i.e. the use of the storage area and changing that service into a “User Fee,” which is defined as a non essential optional service provided by the Park Owner under a separate written agreement (See Section 723.003(21), F.S.).
First, I assume that the prospectus that was delivered to the initial recipient set forth that the storage area was available and included in the lot rental amount or was silent as to this issue but was known and used by Homeowners. Further, I assume your Prospectus did not disclose a “User Fee.”
To initiate a new User Fee, the Park Owner would have to file the proposed amendment to the prospectus with the Division, have it approved by the Division, and then deliver a 90-day notice of the change to all affected Homeowners and the Board of Directors of the HOA. If the Park Owner has failed to fol-low this process, any such change would be unlawful.
Regarding who would receive a commen-surate reduction in lot rental amount and the methodology thereof, I am not aware of any statutory or case law on this issue. It is my opinion that only those paying the User Fee of $25.00 would be eligible to receive a commensurate reduction in their lot rental amount.
CHANGING TERM LIMITS ON BOARDOur bylaws are in need of a massive overhaul. The current HOA directors have agreed to all the changes needed to bring them up to date and to conform to Chapter 723. The current bylaws (2008) state that the directors can make changes to the bylaws and then have the changes approved by the membership. One change we want to make is term limits of directors from annual to biennial. We have one member, (not a director) that argues that we have to have annual terms or staggered terms.
March/April 201811
Don’t forget to check out this very useful feature on the FMO website at www.fmo1.org.
1. Find Legal Ease Questions & Answers from the FMO News last 10 years.
2. On the home page, Click on Lee Jay Colling’s Legal Ease-Click on Legal Documents.
3. Scroll down to find the information that might interest you and click.
*Please remember that some answers may have had legal updates since their original publication date.*
Legal Ease Archives
I believe that we can have one year, two year, or even three year terms and do not have to stagger them. We only elect directors, then elect our officers from among the directors; so staggered would be out anyhow. We feel that annual is too short of a term for us, as we only work together a few months in the winter and then it is time to elect new directors. Is the current board of directors within their rights to make the new term for directors 2 years in the new bylaws or even longer, to also help elimi-nate the necessity of elections every year?
ANSWER: Section 723.078(2), F.S., provides that “—all members of the board of directors shall be elected at the annual meeting unless the bylaws provide for staggered election terms or for their election at another meet-ing.”
Thus, you are free to set forth in your By-laws whatever arrangement the Board or the Membership desire. I have always preferred staggered terms since this method guaran-tees continuity on the Board.
You may wish to consider the following By-law language regarding the Directors’ term of office:There shall be no restriction on the number of terms for which a director of this Association may be elected. A director shall hold office for a term of ____ (__) years and shall be so elected that the terms of a bare majority, if there is an odd number of directors, or one-half of the directors, if there is an even num-ber of directors, will expire in odd years and the remainder in even years. The directors shall hold office until their successors have been elected and have qualified.
Officers are usually elected for a one year term by the Board at a closed meeting follow-ing the annual meeting.
March/April 201812
WHY THE FUND IS NECESSARY:
Most HOAs lack the financial leverage to negotiate with park owners Most parks today are owned by major corporations with money, lobbyist and organization Initiating legal action against a well-funded corporation is too costly for most individual HOAs Most legal action will begin in Circuit Courts and very likely will be appealed to the next level Legal fees become more expensive the further you get in the court system
HOW DO WE ADDRESS THIS NEED:
Establish a legal defense “Super Fund” Funded by member HOAs. $1,000 initial subscription with an additional $2,000 over 4 years Objective is to raise at least $500,000 in 2 to 5 years There are 1700 eligible parks in the state
ORGANIZATION / FINANCIAL STRUCTURE:
Formed as a Standing Committee under FMO - minimize startup costs including insurance Nine member Committee with diverse experience in law, business and finance -
3 FMO Board members 2 District Presidents 3 HOA Presidents or past presidents FMO Legal Counsel
Funds kept totally separate from FMO resources All finances managed for growth and liquidity by the Committee
LITIGATION STRATEGY:
Application is submitted to Committee citing proposed legal action and rationale behind it Upon approval funds will be provided to requesting HOA as a grant Entire action will be funded Litigation should have statewide or regional impact Neither the fund nor FMO will be a party to the action Proposed actions involving mediation, arbitration, single park issues
or any action against an HOA or its board by it’s homeowners will not be funded The Committee’s focus will be on potentially precedent setting cases
resulting in changes to the law that positively impacts all our communities.
For Further Information contact your FMO District President,
phone the FMO Office at 727-530-7539, or send an email to: [email protected]
Consolidated Legal Fund
FMO CLF HO-01 2016-10-19 March/April 201813
DBPR
TEAM
The mission of the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes is to provide con-sumer protection for Florida residents living in the communities we regulate through education, complaint resolution, mediation and arbitration, and developer disclosure.
Every year the division receives a large number of complaints from mobile home owners. Often, home owners and park owners are unaware of the statutory authority of the Division. In an effort to alleviate any frustration that may occur, a brief list has been compiled to describe what we can and cannot do. The list describes mobile home park concerns which the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes has the authority to take action against and the areas in which they do not have statutory authority.
Areas in which the Division DOES have authority to assist mobile home owners: • Improper or untimely notice • Failure of the park owners to meet with the association board or a committee of five designated
by a majority of the affected home owners • Failure of the park owner to provide a prospectus • Failure of the park owner to provide written notification in the absence of a prospectus • Failure of the park owner to file advertising materials with the Division • Assessing a fee or other charge • Increase in lot rental amount • Improvements, appliances and equipment • Sale of the mobile home park and mobile homes in the park • Utilities • Restrictions on use of facilities • Eviction proceedings • Rules and regulations • A park owner must post a copy of all rules and regulations in a conspicuous place in the park.
Refer to section 723.035, Florida Statutes.
Areas in which the Division DOES NOT have authority to assist mobile home owners. • Infringement of the right of mobile home owners to peaceably assemble, and the right of home
owners to invite public officers, candidates for public office, or representative of a tenant organi-zation into the park
• Reasonableness of rent • Enforcing the general obligations of a park owner or a home owner • Actions of the board of directors of the homeowners’ association
March/April 201814
March/April 2018
We Are Your21st Century FMO
FMO: Federation of Manufactured Home Owners of Florida, Inc.
DBPR: Department of Business and Professional Regulation
ROC: Resident Owned Community
ADR: Alternative Dispute Resolution
HOA: Home Owner Association
FS: Florida Statute
DIVISION: Division of Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes
F.A.C.: Florida Administrative Code
Abbreviations of Common FMO Terms
Call toll free: 800-226-9101 or 850-487-1395
Email: Please visit www.MyFloridalicense.com/Contact Us to complete our email correspondence form.
Web:www.MyFlorida.com/dbpr
Mailing: Department of Business & Professional Regulation Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes 2601 Blair Stone Rd. Tallahassee, FL 32399
How to Contact the DBPR
15 March/April 2018
CERTIFIED HOA BOARD TRAINING2018 SEMINAR DATES AND LOCATIONS
REGISTRATION BEGINS AT 7:30 AM- 8:15
SEMINAR STARTS 8:15 AM TO 1 PM
NO REFUNDS
THURS, MAR 29 LAKE GRIFFIN HARBOR PRE-REGISTER BY 33399 WATERVIEW LN MARCH 23 LEESBURG, FL 34788 THURS, APR 19 LAMPLIGHTER VILLAGE PRE-REGISTER BY 500 LANTERN BLVD APR 13 MELBOURNE, 32934
March/April 201816
Cost to Attend: $25.00 per person (NON REFUNDABLE)
PHOTO ID REQUIRED AT REGISTRATIONPlease cut and mail the completed registration form and check: FMO 4020 Portsmouth Road Largo, FL 33771
Registration 7:30 am - 8:15 am Seminar 8:15 am - 1 pm
CITY OF SEMINAR________________ DATE OF SEMINAR _______________________
Name______________________________________ FMO Member# _______________
Address____________________________________ City_____________Zip____________
Telephone ____________________ Email_________________________________________
PARK/HOA_________________________________________________________________
Payment: Check #_________ Amount: $25.00 per person (non-refundable)
Credit Card: ☐ MasterCard ☐Visa ☐ Discover ☐ American Express Card
Card #______________________________________Expires: ________________________
Signature _________________________________________________________________
========================================================================
Cost to Attend: $25.00 per person (NON REFUNDABLE)
PHOTO ID REQUIRED AT REGISTRATIONPlease cut and mail the completed registration form and check to: FMO 4020 Portsmouth Road Largo, FL 33771
Registration 7:30 am - 8:15 am Seminar 8:15 am - 1 pm
CITY OF SEMINAR________________ DATE OF SEMINAR _____________________
Name____________________________________ FMO Member #___________________
Address___________________________________ City______________ Zip_____________
Telephone _____________________ Email_______________________________________
PARK/HOA________________________________________________________________
Payment: Check #_________ Amount: $25.00 per person (non-refundable)
Credit Card: ☐ MasterCard ☐Visa ☐ Discover ☐ American Express Card
Card #______________________________________Expires: _______________________
Signature ________________________________________________________________
March/April 201817
March/April 201818
FMO MEMBERSHIP DRIVENovember 1, 2017 thru April 15, 2018
PARK REPRESENTATIVE INCENTIVE PROGRAM
For every NEW member (NEVER has been an FMO Member) that you sign up, you will receive $5 for a one year paid membership and $10 for a three-year paid membership.
Eligibility: Must be a registered Park Representative with the FMO office in Largo. As a Park Representative of FMO, you are our greatest ambassadors and we want to reward you for your efforts. If you are not a Park Representative, this might incentivize you to become one.
Requirements: Please forward the applications to the FMO office. You, as the Park Representative MUST write your FMO membership number and your name on the application.
Please mail to the following address: FMO 4020 Portsmouth RdLargo, FL 33771
ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION
We Are Your 21st Century FMO!
With this year’s HOA Board Training Certification Program rapidly coming to an end, we need to start looking at what will be coming up for the next year. This is your chance to get involved in the “when & where” process. We need the District Officers to start polling their membership as to when and where the next programs will be held. We wish to give the certification program to areas that have the most members in need of certification, re-certification or are interested in just improving their knowledge of the opera-tion of their HOA. Once this data is received, the Education
Committee will be able to digest the numbers and develop the locations where the 2019 classes will be held. We will once again plan on having a minimum of 10 locations across the state. We ask that you (residents, members, & HOA officers) contact your FMO District President or an FMO board member and give them dates and numbers of possible attendees. This can include those interested, those newly elected or expecting to be elected and also those inter-ested in increasing their knowledge of FS 723 and HOA operations. If you have previously attended a certification class and wish further knowledge on the subjects, you may attend for the reduced registration fee of $10. You will need to bring the materials from the previous seminar, or you will be charged $15 for the materials. We will also need locations at which the meeting can be held, contact persons, available parking, a good speaker system, and a clubhouse that that can hold 100 attendees. Further details on this can be obtained from the FMO office.
March/April 201819
From your Education Committee –
JOHN SALVUCCIDirector-at-Large
Education Chairman
March/April 201820
If you are or you know an FMO member who is at least 90 years old, please let us know.
E-mail your digital photo, along with the descrip-tion, to [email protected]. Send photos to FMO, 4020 Portsmouth Road, Largo, FL 33771, ATTN: FMO NEWS. If you have any questions call Joyce at (727) 530-7539.
Send a photo and a brief description of your hobbies, your lifestyle, and what keeps you feeling young. If more than one person is pictured, please provide the names of every-one as well as the context for the photo (park meeting, pot-luck dinner, birthday party), as well as the date and location where the photo was taken.
Special thanks to the family and friends who continue to sup-port this column by sending in photos and articles of their friends, neighbors and relatives.
9 X 10 Club
Hello FMO Members….
As we begin the count down into the month of March, our park reps and others have recruited over 400 new members in the membership drive. The membership contest has been successful so far and those park representatives who are participating are doing a great job. Keep up the good work! Remember, the contest ends April 15, 2018. A lot of applications are coming in and hopefully membership will get back on track. Thank you to everyone who works so hard to
promote our organization. Without YOU we wouldn’t be the great organization we are today. If you know anyone who isn’t a member, ask them to call the office. You can now join or renew your membership over the phone or on our website with a credit card. If you have any questions, I can be reached by phone 727.530.7539 or email [email protected]
BethMembership Manager
Member Servicesby Beth Pankow
A HUGE shout out to our Lobbyist and Legislative Counsel, Nancy Black Stewart for being so committed to our FMO members. She is once again sponsoring our membership contest. Let’s show Nancy how proud we are of her and her dedication to the FMO!
The FMO HOA Honor RollHonoring HOA Boards of Directors having 100% FMO Membership
DISTRICT 7Legacy Moss Landing, LabelleSerendipity, N Ft MyersPine Lakes Estates HOA, N Ft Myers
DISTRICT 14Plantation Oaks, Flagler BeachThe Falls at Ormond, Ormond Beach
FMO would like to recognize your home owners association. Let us know once you attain 100% FMO membership on your HOA Board of Directors. Simply submit your park name, city, and board member names and membership numbers to: [email protected] or mail to the FMO State Office.
DISTRICT 1Beacon Hill Colony, Lakeland
DISTRICT 11wwHacienda Village, New Port Richey
March/April 201821
Price ea. _________
_________
Total Cost
_________Quantity
Make sure your HOA is prepared and
up-to-date on current topics.
FMO members can order a manual
for $9.63 plus shipping & handling – per copy.
Total $15.63
Office pickup only $10!
This “best-selling” guide is a must-have for every member of a homeowners association in a manufac-tured/mobile home community governed by F.S. 723.
TOPICS INCLUDE: • Incorporation • Duties of each board member • Finance • Meetings with the park owner • Preparing for Homeowners Association’s
annual meeting and much more.
Important forms included that can be copied and used!
FMO’s Homeowners Association Manual
Mail this order form & check payable to FMO to 4020 Portsmouth Rd., Largo, FL 33771. Please allow 2 weeks for delivery.
Price ea. x Quantity
_________
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
FMO Member number: ________________________
The Florida Mobile Home Relocation CorporationThe Florida Mobile Home Relocation Trust Fund was created for the purpose of funding the admin-istration and operations of the Florida Mobile Home Relocation Corporation. The purpose of this public corporation is to make payments to mobile home owners who are required to move due to a change in use of the land comprising their mobile home park.These payments are designed to help offset the expense of the home owner’s cost of relocating.
Relocation is moving the mobile home to a new location whether it be a different mobile home park or private land. Upon approval, a home owner may be entitled to moving expenses of $3,000 for a single-section mobile home and $6,000 for a multi-section mobile home. In lieu of filing for reloca-tion, a home owner may abandon the mobile home to the park owner. The home owner can deliver the title to the park owner, once it’s been duly endorsed by the owner of record and valid releases of all liens shown on the title. The owner of a single-section mobile home will be eligible for $1,375 and the owner of a multi-section mobile home will be eligible for $2,750 in compensation from the Corporation.
Please contact The Florida Mobile Home Relocation Corporation in one of the following ways:
Toll Free Telephone: U.S. Mail: 1-888-862-7010 FMHRC P.O. Box 7848Local Phone Number: Clearwater, FL 33758-7848727-754-4994
DISTRICT 3JOANN JOSLYN, SECRETARY
FMO District 3 has had several very busy months. Since October 2017, we have been selling shirts with the FMO logo and starting in February will also sell caps and insulated cups, also with the FMO logo.Speakers this season have included representatives from crime and ID awareness, a local food bank and from the weatherization project. January’s speaker was John Salvucci whose topic was negotiat-ing with your park owner. There were 25 parks represented and 92 in attendance…the most in recent history. FMO President Jerry Durham will speak at the March 15, 2018 at Woodlands at Church Lake, 1124 Heritage Drive, Groveland 34736 regarding the FMO Consolidated Legal Fund and legislative topics. There is a contest for park reps. For every new FMO member, the park rep would receive $5 for every one year membership and $10 for every three year membership.
News from the Field
News from the Field
March/April 201822
FMO DISTRICT 1LORETTA VITTORIO, SECTION V DIRECTOR
FMO DISTRICT I - 2018 Meeting Schedule
DATE LOCATION SPEAKER/SThursday Schalamar Creek Sheriff Grady Judd March 8 4500 US Hwy 92 E Lakeland, FL 33801 Thursday Plantation Landing Representative Sam KillebrewApril 12 3101 US Hwy 17 92 W Haines City, FL 33844
Meetings begin at 9 am with coffee and donuts at 8:30Meeting notices are sent to the Park Reps and Officers in District 1 prior to all district meetings.
We Are Your21st Century FMO
1. Type in browser www.fmo1.org
2. Go to instructions in the upper right corner and click on “Blue” instructions box.
3. First time users to this website must click on “Sign up”, type in the email address that you supplied with your FMO membership, type in a password and click “go”.
4. A confirmation email will be sent to those who are current members within 24-48 hours. Emails will also be sent to those who are not members or if there is an issue with sign up.
5. After you receive the confirmation email, you will be able to go onto the web-site main page. Click on “Login” in the upper right corner. At the very bottom of the page under the blue “go” bar, click on “login”. Put in your email address and password then click “go”. If you have forgotten your password, click on “Forgot your password?” to reset it.
6. To renew your membership, place cursor on “memberships”, then click on “renewal membership”. Place cursor on “members”, click “member store”.
7. District officers or park reps can go to the home page and click on “associates” then login with your FMO membership number (numbers only) and Florida zip code to receive your reports. To print the reports export to PDF or Excel. If you are unsure of the procedures, call the office at 727-530-7539 or email Beth [email protected] to give you instructions on how to obtain your membership reports.
8. If you change your email address, let Beth know so she can change it in the data base as you will have to sign up again.
To Sign Up On FMO’s Website For New And Existing Members:
March/April 201823
March/April 201824
Resident Owned Community News
STATE UMBRELLA Resident Owned Community GROUPFLAROC (Florida Resident Owned Communities Inc.)
Sandy Ross – President (ROC Forum East Central Chapter)George Russell – VP/Treasurer (East Coast)Chris Golen – Secretary (Manatee-Sarasota Chapter)Lee Jay Colling – Legal Counsel (Colling and Associates)
CHAPTERS:WEST CENTRAL – Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco CountiesDawn Simmons President [email protected] Chuck Lucas Vice President Bill Dye Treasurer
EAST CENTRAL – Highland, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie CountiesGeorge Russell President Pro-TemOther Directors Officers to be announced
SOUTHWEST – Bradenton, Charlotte, Collier, Highland, Lee and CountiesHazel Albert President [email protected] Bradford Vice President Lorraine Graves Treasurer [email protected] Ford Secretary Betty Bainbridge Director-at-Large [email protected] Manasota – Manatee and Sarasota CountiesChris Golen Co-Executive DirectorBarb Jahnke Co-Executive Director
AFFILIATED GROUPS:EPROC East Pasco Resident Owned Communities. Inc.Larry Myott PresidentMarianne Zehnacker Vice PresidentLinda Lafayette SecretaryNancy Bishop TreasurerRebecca Gladdis ChairmanBob Thiel Director-at-Large
Visit Mid-Fl-Roc.com, click on EPROC for meeting dates, agenda, member communities along with other information.
Visit FLAROC.com for meeting dates, agenda, member communities and other information about the FLAROC Organization.
Barb Jahnke – Director (Manatee-Sarasota Chapter)Beth Ford – Director (Southwest Chapter)Larry Myott – Director (EPROC affiliate)Andrew Stenberg – Director (Hub International Insurance)
Betty Cole DirectorPat Volkernick DirectorDavid Armitage DirectorRon Grant Director
March/April 201825
Visit Mid-Fl-Roc.com, click on ROC FORUM for meeting dates, agenda, member communities along with other information.
CLARIFICATIONSChapter 723:Florida Statute governing tenancies in mobile home parks
Chapter 617:Florida Statute governing not-for-profit corporations
Chapter 607:Florida Statute governing for-profit corporations
Chapter 720:Florida Statute governing Homeowners Associations
HOA:A homeowner association governed by Florida Statute 723 – The Florida Mobile Home Act.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
DA R
ADR mediation encourages communication and nego-
tiation between homeowners and community own-
ers, and allows them to
settle disagreements in a neutral and non-threaten-
ing environment, without costly
court litigation.
For HOA’s that want to file an application, call FMO at 727-530-7539.
Remember: No Rent Issues, Reduction of Services or Rule Amendments will be mediated.
MID-FL-ROC Lake, Sumter, and North Orange CountiesFrank Deopere President [email protected] Ciaccglione Vice President Ken Elliott Secretary [email protected] Andrus Treasurer [email protected] Flint Director [email protected] Galvin Director [email protected] Shaw Director [email protected] Barbieux Director [email protected] Twort Director [email protected]
March/April 201826
Weatherization Worksin Florida
To inquire about assistance from the Weatherization Assistance Program, locate the county in which you live, contact the FMO office.
FREE TO GOOD HOME
FMO News magazine on-line with
your paid FMO membership
INTERESTED?
Then contact the office at 727-530-
7539 or e-mail [email protected]
Tell the FMO office that you want to receive your FMO magazine by e-mail. The magazine will be emailed prior to receiving your hard copy by regular mail. And, if you are a member that lives out of the U.S., this is the only way to receive the FMO News when not in Florida, as we do not mail the maga-zine out of the U.S. due to postage costs.
March/April 201827
Please mail, fax or email this document to: Tallahassee Community College c/o Albert Wynn 444 Appleyard Dr. Tallahassee, FL 32304 Fax# 850/201-8509: Email:[email protected]
2016-2017 Tie-Down Enhancement Program
Community Interest Verification Date: _______________ Community: ___________________________________________________________ County: ___________________ Contact: ____________________________________ Address: __________________________________ City: _______________________ Telephone: __________________________ Email: ____________________________ Please consider this a letter of interest for the Tie-Down Enhancement Program. Here are the answers to the following questions.
1. Yes or No - If chosen to participate, will the owner(s) of the community allow the Program access to the property?
2. Yes or No – Does your Community/HOA have the ability to organize and acquire
a high percentage of eligible homes needed to participate in the Program?
3. How many homes are in your Community? ______________
4. How many homes in the Community are vacant, for sale or not occupied? ______
5. What year was your Community established? ____________.
6. What percentage of homes were installed before 1999? _____________% 7. What is the approximate height from the ground to the bottom of home (skirting)?
_________ (Please measure) 8. Using approximate percentages, what type of skirting are on the homes?
Vinyl _______ Stack block _______ Metal slats _______ Lattice _______ Mortared block _______ Vinyl Siding all the way to ground _______
9. Yes or No - Is the majority of the skirting easily removable?
All parks that have applied to the Tie-Down program should update their application. Contact Tallahassee Community College for more information.
2018-2019 Tie-Down Enhancement ProgramCommunity Interest Verification
March/April 201828
One year FMO Membership for $25
Three year FMO Membership for $65
Cross Country Motor Club – add $35 per year (Your renewal for Cross Country will be mailed to you separately)
Only the two individuals listed below are eligible for membership. Persons listed must live at the address given on this application.
We need the following information (please print clearly)
Date:_______________________________________________________
Name:______________________________________________________
Birth Date (optional):__________________________________________
Co-Member:_________________________________________________
Florida Address:______________________________________________
City/State/Zip:_______________________________________________
Phone:(_____) ______________________________________________
E-Mail Address:______________________________________________
Park Name:_________________________________________________ I am a: Lot Renter Other_____________________________
Number of Florida registered voters in household:_______
***********************************************************************************************************************
KEEP THIS PORTION AS YOUR RECEIPT (RETURN THE APPLICATION PORTION TO THE FMO)
Please enclose check payable to FMO. US Funds only. Do not send cash.
A complete explanation of your FMO benefits will be included with your new membership cards. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing time.
Cross Country Members: You will receive a separate membership card from Cross Country in approximately 4 to 6 weeks. If you should need roadside assistance before you receive your Cross Country Card please call their toll free number (800) 528-2056.
Questions? Call membership at 727-530-7539 or e-mail: [email protected]. Thanks you for joining the only organization fighting for the rights of manufactured / mobile home owners!
Date:_______________ Name of person receiving check:_________________________________________________________
Check Amount:________________________________ Check Number:_________________________________ #040 rev. 10/10/2014
FMO Membership ApplicationFill out and return this portion along with your check to: Federation of Manufactured Home Owners of Florida, P.O. Box 5300, Largo, FL 33779-5300
Best Value
Non Florida Address: (If applicable) Address:_______________________________ City/State/Zip:__________________________ Check off what months you do not live in Florida Jan. Feb Mar Apr May Jun. July Aug Sep. Oct. Nov Dec
Recruiter Name ________________________ _____________________________________ Membership Number____________________
To pay with credit card:
Mastercard Visa Discover Am.Express
Card #___________________________________________
Exp. Date:_____________ Phone ____________________
Signature:________________________________________
YES...I want to join Cross Country Motor ClubDate: _______________________ FMO Membership #: ________________________________________
Member : ____________________________________ Secondary Member: ________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: ______________________________________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________________
E-mail (please print): ________________________________________________________________________
Do not send cash. Fill out the coupon above and enclose a check or money order for $35, payable to FMO. Mark front of envelope “Cross Country Membership enclosed” and mail to: Federation of Manufactured Home Owners of Florida, 4020 Portsmouth Rd., Largo, FL 33771.
Questions? e-mail Joyce at [email protected] or call (727) 530-7539.
Note: Your Cross Country Motor Club Membership will be billed separately. Please allow 4–6 weeks to receive your card from CCMC.
*To take advantage of this offer, you must be an FMO member in good standing.This fantastic offer is available to ALL FMO members!
$35 covers you and your spouse for 1 year.
COMPARE Benefit Cross Country AAA
Emergency Road Service
Theft Reward Decal
Emergency Message Service
Custom Trip Routing/ Map Service
Annual Cost * $35$66/first year$66/renewal
Yesup to
$5,000 rewardwill call 3 family
members
Yes
Yesup to
$1,000 rewardnot
available
Yes
AllstateMotor Club
$52.00
Yesup to
$5,000 rewardnot
available
Yes
U 24-Hour Emergency Road Service
U Custom Computerized Trip Routing/Map Service
U Reimbursement for Emergency Travel Expense
U Emergency Message Service
U Auto/Truck/RV Rental Discounts
U Hotel/Motel Discounts
U Spouse covered at no extra charge
U Much much more!
Cross Country Motor Club = Premium Roadside Service
March/April 201829
March/April 201830
FMO Resource Material Order Form #70
Name Date
Street Address District
City & Zip Code Member #
Phone Park Name
PLEASE SEND ORDER FORM TO: FMO, 4020 PORTSMOUTH RD, LARGO, FL 33771Instructions: Please mark quantities on all items requested. ALLOW 2 WEEKS FOR DELIVERY!
Items marked with an arrow must be purchased. Send check payable to FMO
Item#
Item Description Qty Item#
Item Description Qty
LEGAL INFORMATION MEMBER RECRUITMENTMATERIALS 260 FS 723 Reference Guide 09 Accomplishments - Legal/Legislative 339 Filing Instructions/Tax Liabilities Not for Profit $3.50 301 “FMO Happenings” Bulletin Board Banner 22 Filing Requirements for Homeowners’ Associations 313 FMO Bookmarks 19 Finding an Attorney 50 Cross Country Motor Club 24 How Mobile Home Owners are Taxed 298 FMO/HOA Common Goal Flyer 237 Final Rules—Housing for Older Persons $2.50 362 We Give You A Voice Recruitment Flyer 250 How to Form a Homeowners’ Association 363 Why Be a Member of FMO? 365 Declaration of Homestead for Manufactured/Mobile Homes 364 Who is the FMO 291 Know Your Rights When Selling Your Home 40 Membership Applications 23 Law on Delivery of Rent Increases Consolidated Legal Fund Information 142 Obtaining Correct Prospectus BOOKS 314 Pass-on/Pass-Through Charges FS Chapter 723 ($5 each p/u) add $2.05 each for p/h 29 Sample Limited Proxy Form 69 Homeowners’ Association Manual
(HOA Manuals are $10.00 each if pickedup)* Price includes tax, shipping andhandling
$15.63* 324 Satellite Dish Flyer 347 Tie-Down Rule 15C-1 $3.50
MEDIATION INFORMATION PLEASE REMIT PAYMENT WITH ORDER
Price subject to change without noticeTo pay with credit card
MasterCard VISA Discover
Card # Exp. Date
Signature
Billing Address Same as Above
Address
City/State/Zip
26 DBPR—Mobile Home Complaint Form 28 DBPR Mediation Form 149 Mediation Offers First Chance of Dispute Resolution 25 Negotiation with Your Park Owner
MISCELLANEOUS 61 FMO Decal $1.00 312 Mobile Home Tie Down Article 17 FMO Expense Report 70 FMO Resource Material Order Form 07 Oath of Officers/Charge to the Officers
Federation of Manufactured Home Owners of Florida, Inc. 4020 Portsmouth RdLargo, FL 33771
(727) 530-7539Fax: (727) 535-9427
Website: www.fmo1.orgRev 12/2017
March/April 201831
For advertising information
e-mail Joyce [email protected]
Advertisers’ INDEX
Proudly Roofing Since 1985
FL Lic. #CCC057091
Mobile/Manufactured Home Roofing System• Insulated Energy Star Rated Roof
• Manufacturer’s Backed Lifetime Warranty
• Financing Available
• STOP Roof Leaks
Single-ply roofing membrane toughened with Elvaloy resin modifiers from DuPont
FREE ESTIMATES
1-800-226-0955www.ComfortCover.org
Name Phone Website Page
COMFORT COVER SYSTEMS ROOFING 1-800-226-0955 www.comfortcover.org 31
CROSS COUNTRY MOTOR CLUB 1-727-530-7539 www.fmo1.org 29
FLORIDA ANCHOR & BARRIER 1-800-681-3722 floridaanchorandbarrier.com 15
FMO APPLICATION 1-727-530-7539 www.fmo1.org 28
FMO HOA MANUAL 1-727-530-7539 www.fmo1.org 21
LIFESTYLE CHOICE REALTY, INC 1-866-527-3258 www.lifestylechoicerealty.com 26
MOBILE HOME INSURANCE 2
PROFESSIONAL INSURANCE SYSTEMS 1-800-329-5799 www.proinsurance.us 32
Remember...You can go
online to www.FMO1.
org and register to use our
website! What a great way
to keep in touch while
you are away!
We Are Your 21st Century FMO!
Professional Insurance Systems of Florida, Inc.
5700 1st Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33710
Phone: 800-329-5799 Phone: 727-579-9956 Fax: 727-579-9767 Email: [email protected]
G e t Q u i c k Q u ote
Auto/RV Insurance Boat Insurance Mobile Home Insurance Umbrella Policies Health Insurance Cancer Plans Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare Supplements Life Insurance Annuities Long Term Care Home Health Care ...and more
All your insurance in ONE Place!
Free Quote
Coverage For Homes of Any Age
Call Today!
800-329-5799
Make sure you have ALL your
Discounts for FMO members
Older Mobile Home? Don’t go without coverage—we offer coverage for under $400
Tired of Low - Low - CD Rates? Contact Tucker Today!
Complimentary Review of Coverage
Inspections not necessarily required
Coverage for homes of any age
Multiple Carriers to choose
Medicare Supplements
starting at $49 month
Affordable Long Term Care
Options
Quick Shop Auto Insurance Save $$ Today
ANY Doctor
ANY Hospital
ANY Time
New Options are available for Long Term Care
Easier to Qualify
Affordable Cost
Multiple Carriers
Personalized Spreadsheet
Lowest Premiums