Article Courtesy of The Palm Beach post

By Jane Musgrave

Published May 13, 2014

WEST PALM BEACH — The birth of twins was supposed to be a joyous occasion for Adam and Amira Beck.

   Instead, the North Palm Beach couple was told that having the extra children put them in violation of the rules at the Royale Harbour condominium complex and that they would have to move out.

   Calling the condo association’s action an “outrageous” violation of federal housing laws, the Fair Housing Center of the Greater Palm Beaches this week sued the condo board and its management company.

   “It’s an outrage that 46 years after the federal Fair Housing Act was signed into law that we still see this kind of discrimination,” said Vince Larkins, president and CEO of the nonprofit group.

   Condo association officials weren’t immediately available for comment. Miami Management, which oversees the condo, declined comment.

     In the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, the center says the condo illegally bars more than two children under age 18 from living in one of the residences without approval of the board.

   The Becks, who have lived in the complex west of U.S. 1 and south of PGA Boulevard for six years, already had one child when they had twins in August. When they asked to renew their lease on a three-bedroom unit in November, their request was rejected because condo officials said they had too many children, according to the lawsuit.

   If the condominium was an adult-only community, it could enforce such policies, Larkins said. However, he said, it doesn’t meet federal rules for adult-only communities that require at least 80 percent of the residents to be over the age of 55. Therefore, he said, it can’t discriminate against families.

   As part of the lawsuit, the center is asking that the Becks be allowed to stay in their condo and that they and the center be awarded damages.