Boca condo allegedly bans children, gets sued

The Fair Housing center of the Greater Palm Beaches is suing the Boca Teeca Condominium No. 9 Association for allegedly turning away condo buyers with young children. The suit follows an investigation based on a complaint filed by real estate agent Margo Lefton, who said that her client, a single father of three, had been ready with financing to buy a $120,000 condo in December 2008 but was turned away because one of his children was below the age of 15. The condo association was issued a warning by the county to reverse its decision, but never responded. The non-profit Fair Housing Center then followed-up on the complaint, by having a staffer pose as a renter with two young children. The staffer was also turned down, and the non-profit subsequently filed suit. “They are going to have to welcome in families with children, settle damages and attorneys fees or go through the steps of complying with elderly exemption [requirements],” said Randall Berg, an attorney for the Fair Housing Center. Condo associations can only legally turn children away from their buildings if they file for and qualify as “housing for older persons” under county and federal fair housing laws. That means proving that at least 80 percent of the units are occupied by residents over the age of 55. [Sun Sentinel]