HOA and FMO
A Partnership Working for You
For more than 20 years after the Federation of Manufactured Home Owners of Florida was first organized, the FMO community units acted as the representatives of all the residents within their communities for various purposes including discussions or negotiations with park owners. The local FMO units informed the residents within the park about mobile/manufactured home issues and coordinated with the state organization to advance the rights of homeowners on a statewide basis. The incorporated homeowners association was not provided for in the law until 1984.
As a result of the efforts of the FMO, the Legislature established a study commission to review mobile home laws and the unique relationship between park residents and park owners within a rental park. As a direct result of the efforts of the FMO, Florida Statutes Chapter 723 was enacted and it provides for many of the protections that mobile home owners enjoy today. One portion of that legislation permitted tenants in rental mobile home parks to incorporate a homeowners association that could act as a representative of all of the residents within the park who are members of the association in purchasing the park, negotiating rent increases, and in other areas of importance to the residents.
Over the years, since that legislation was passed proving for homeowners associations, the various FMO community representatives throughout the state have worked together with HOA’s in the communities to represent home owners in various ways. The HOA has not taken the place of the FMO unit organization. They are both two separate organizations. Neither is superior to or has authority over the other.
Both of these organizations serve separate and distinct functions which, when taken together, can accomplish the most results for mobile/manufactured home residents. The purpose of the FMO is to promote the general welfare and protect the rights and interests of manufactured home owners in Florida by acting as a consumer advocacy association. The purpose of the HOA is to act as a united voice on behalf of the residents of the manufactured home community.
The FMO has its own set of bylaws that detail how the Federation conducts business. The Bylaws explain such areas as FMO dues, who can be a member, the various committees, the various officers on the state, district and local level, as well as the duties of the officers. The FMO Bylaws do not have any application to the homeowners association. The homeowners association has its own separate set of bylaws and is not governed by the FMO. The bylaws of the HOA govern only the association members, and has no authority over the FMO.
The FMO and HOA, while separate organizations, have a common goal - protect the rights of manufactured home owner. The FMO on the State level, and the HOA representing home owners on the community level provides a partnership that gives the Crane Lakes homeowners protection of their investment they have made in their homes.
Membership applications are available at the Clubhouse mailroom or you can contact me:
Tom Hroncich
FMO Community Representative
James Schisler Tel # 756-7022
FMO membership is $20.00 per year and continues for 12 months.
FMO Representative Report
Thursday, March 08,2012
Lake Helen Villa
Attended by and representing Crane Lakes was myself and Bill Hawkins at Lake Helen Villas
this past Monday March s". There were at least 16 communities represented at the meeting.
They had a very nice spread of morning refreshments and snacks.
Guest speaker and main topic was Rob Boulware of Storm Services on tie-downs. Rob gave a
very interesting and informative talk and demonstration of correct tie-down procedures and
inspections. He had many props and examples of what goes wrong.
One new thing I learned was need for periodic adjustments may be needed to straps such as in the case of house settling over years.
Other meeting discussions:
State tie down program. Some comparisons and talk from attendees. Mention of the Tampa
Bay Times article.
AJCnewer "high rise" models from Bryant and Carrier present access to rodents. Carrier has
a wire mesh kit to cover openings. This was deemed as something at least but not satisfactory to others since it does nothing to block cold air intrusion.
Sea Bird Island is still there seemingly no longer under threat of Condo take over. The
proposed marina said not to affect them.
DBPR contact info given. Was mentioned that FMO wants copies of any complaints so that
they may assist in follow up.
Legislation
This is it folks, the final week of the legislative session. Thankfully, the SB 386 and HB
271 that we have been fighting are now officially dead! Would have allowed new prospectus
to resale buyers.
Citizens depopulation program making progress. Wall Street Journal article is factually
incorrect.
INSURANCE RATE INCREASE ... The Office of Insurance Regulation is holding a public
hearing on State Farm Florida Insurance Co.'s request for a 42 percent overall rate increase for its manufactured home line of coverage. It's at 9 a.m. Wednesday in room 116, Larson Building, 200 E. Gaines St., Tallahassee. Agenda, information: Bruce Culpepper, Assistant General Counsel, (850)413-4139 and Cindy Walden, (850)413-2616.
Next Meeting
Our next meeting will be on Monday April 2nd at La Costa Village on the topic of FS 723.
Guest speaker is expected to field legal questions of a general nature on topic.
James Schisler
FMO Park Representative
