Colony Park

For Floridians considering mobile home living, the promise of affordability, community, and a relaxed lifestyle is often a strong draw. However, the reality of specific mobile home parks can vary significantly, and understanding a community's true nature before committing is crucial. Colony Park, located at 6876 Marilane, Merritt Island, FL 32953, is a community that has recently garnered considerable attention from its residents, with feedback highlighting significant concerns that prospective tenants in Florida should be aware of.

Florida's mobile home market is dynamic, offering a range of options from quaint, quiet communities to amenity-rich active adult parks. Merritt Island, in particular, is a desirable location due to its proximity to the Space Coast, beaches, and various recreational opportunities. Therefore, a mobile home park in this area could be an attractive option for many. However, the resident experiences at Colony Park, as openly shared in public reviews, present a complex picture that demands thorough investigation by anyone considering making it their home.

This article aims to provide a factual and informative overview of Colony Park, based directly on the provided resident testimonials. Our goal is to equip potential residents in Florida with the necessary insights to navigate their decision-making process carefully, ensuring they are fully aware of both the advertised features and the documented challenges.

Colony Park is a mobile home park situated at 6876 Marilane on Merritt Island, Florida. While promotional material might highlight its location on the desirable Space Coast, resident reviews paint a starkly contrasting picture of the actual living experience. The park is currently managed by Homes of America LLC, and recent testimonials indicate widespread dissatisfaction among month-to-month renters.

A significant concern revolves around management practices, with residents explicitly stating that "Homes of America LLC and Joel shouldn't be in this business." The core of the grievances centers on alleged non-compliance with lease terms and Florida Statute 83.49 regarding proper notice for changes to rental agreements. Specifically, residents report being charged for water and sewer retroactively, despite these utilities previously being included in the lot rent and without the mandated 60-day written notice. The amount of these charges, reportedly "$150/mth worth of water" for a two-person household, is deemed "preposterous." Furthermore, reviews detail severe structural and maintenance issues within the mobile homes themselves, even those described as "new," including leaks from roofs, windows, doors, and exhaust fans, as well as "nails are popping up out of the floors due to moisture," "cockroaches," faulty electrical outlets, unlevel and warping cabinets, and drawers that do not fit properly. The collective sentiment is a strong warning to "Dont waste your time or hard earned $" and that the "MANAGEMENT is SHADY." This overview highlights a community experiencing significant challenges that deeply affect its residents.

Colony Park is located at 6876 Marilane, Merritt Island, FL 32953, USA. Merritt Island, a large census-designated place in Brevard County, Florida, is positioned on the "Space Coast." This area is well-known for its rich aerospace history, proximity to stunning beaches, and diverse natural environments.

While the reviews focus on internal park issues, the geographical location itself offers residents access to a variety of amenities and attractions:

• Shopping and Dining: Merritt Island boasts numerous shopping centers, supermarkets, and a wide array of restaurants, providing convenience for daily errands and dining out. The Merritt Square Mall is a significant retail hub.
• Recreational Opportunities: The Space Coast is abundant with outdoor activities. Residents are typically a short drive from beaches like Cocoa Beach, offering opportunities for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. The Indian and Banana Rivers are ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. Nearby nature preserves and wildlife refuges, such as the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, provide opportunities for birdwatching and hiking.
• Aerospace Industry and Attractions: The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is a major draw, offering tours and exhibits related to space exploration. Crucially, the location allows for unique opportunities to watch rocket launches from Cape Canaveral, an exciting experience for many Floridians.
• Transportation: Major roadways on Merritt Island provide connectivity to U.S. Route 1 and State Road 528 (Beachline Expressway), facilitating travel to other parts of Central Florida, including Orlando and its attractions.

Therefore, while the park itself faces internal challenges, its physical location on Merritt Island remains a convenient and desirable spot for access to the broader Space Coast region.

Based on the highly critical resident reviews, the services offered at Colony Park appear to be a significant point of contention and are not being delivered as expected or communicated.

• Lot Rental: The primary service is the provision of mobile home lots for rent, with residents on a month-to-month basis as of September 2023.
• Utilities (Highly Disputed): While water and sewer were reportedly "included" in lot rent for a full year for some residents, management is now attempting to retroactively charge for these utilities at a rate deemed "preposterous" ($150/mth for two people). This indicates a severe breakdown in consistent utility provision and billing. Florida Statute 723.031 (part of the Mobile Home Lot Rental Act) states that a park owner may pass on utility charges, or increases thereof, provided they were disclosed as a separate charge or factor for increasing lot rental in the prospectus or rental agreement. However, proper notice, which is allegedly being ignored, is crucial.
• Maintenance (Highly Disputed): Reviews describe severe structural and functional issues within the mobile homes themselves, including "leaks like hell from the roof, windows, doors and exhaust fan," "nails popping up out of the floors due to moisture," "cockroaches," and non-working light switches and outlets. This suggests that basic property maintenance or habitability standards are not being met by management or ownership.
• Amenities: While other mobile home parks in the area often boast amenities like pools, clubhouses, or laundry facilities, none are mentioned positively or as available in the provided reviews for Colony Park. The focus of the reviews is entirely on core issues, suggesting a lack of value-added services.

It is clear from resident feedback that the delivery and communication of essential services at Colony Park are deeply problematic, leading to significant resident dissatisfaction and potential legal disputes.

Based on the provided reviews, the "features" and "highlights" of Colony Park are predominantly negative experiences for residents, rather than positive attributes.

• Lack of Lease Adherence: A significant recurring "feature" is the alleged failure of Homes of America LLC and Joel (management) to "abide by the written agreed terms of the lease," particularly regarding the required 60-day written notice for changes to lease terms, as stipulated by Florida Statute 83.49.
• Unjustified and Unnotified Charges: The most prominent "highlight" is the unannounced and retroactive imposition of high water and sewer charges ($150/month for two people) after these were previously included in lot rent. This creates significant financial burden and distrust.
• Poor Home Quality and Maintenance: Residents report severe structural and internal defects in homes, even "new" ones, including roof and window leaks, moisture issues, nails popping up from floors, non-functional electrical components, uneven/warping cabinets, ill-fitting drawers, and cockroach infestations. This points to a critical lack of proper maintenance and quality assurance.
• Questionable Management Practices: The management is explicitly called "SHADY," with accusations of adding "charges after charges" for which residents are "NOT liable." The situation has escalated to residents contacting the Attorney General's Office, indicating a systemic issue.
• High Risk for New Tenants: Current residents issue a strong warning: "Don’t walk, RUN!" and advise against wasting "time or hard earned $" here, explicitly stating the "place is a lawsuit waiting to happen."

From a factual perspective based on the reviews, the "highlights" are unfortunately cautionary tales for potential new residents, indicating significant operational and ethical issues within the park. While the location on Merritt Island is inherently attractive, the internal conditions and management practices described by residents overshadow any geographical advantages.

There is no information provided about any promotions or special offers at Colony Park. Given the overwhelmingly negative feedback from current residents regarding unnotified rent increases and additional charges, it is highly improbable that the park is offering any favorable incentives to new tenants. The reviews suggest a focus on increasing revenue from existing residents rather than attracting new ones with beneficial promotions.

Prospective residents should approach any claims of "new" or "improved" homes with extreme skepticism and thoroughly inspect any property before signing a lease. Instead of looking for promotions, the priority for anyone considering Colony Park should be to:

• Obtain and meticulously review a copy of the current lease agreement.
• Demand full transparency on all current and future costs, including lot rent, water, sewer, trash, and any other potential fees.
• Verify compliance with Florida Statute 83.49 regarding proper notice for rent increases and changes to lease terms.
• Inquire about the history of rent increases and utility charges.

Due to the serious allegations of non-compliance with legal statutes and unethical practices, potential residents should prioritize due diligence over any potential (and likely non-existent) special offers.

For those who still wish to contact Colony Park to inquire about lot rentals or other information, despite the strong warnings from current residents, the contact details are as follows:

Address: 6876 Marilane, Merritt Island, FL 32953, USA

Phone: (321) 349-0165

Mobile Phone: +1 321-349-0165

Given the detailed and serious concerns raised in the reviews, it is critical that any communication be approached with extreme caution. If you choose to contact Colony Park, be prepared to ask very specific questions regarding lot rent, all utility charges (current and future), maintenance responsibilities, and adherence to Florida landlord-tenant laws, particularly Florida Statute 83.49 concerning lease changes and notifications. It would be prudent to document all communications and obtain any agreements in writing.

Based on the provided and very strong resident reviews, Colony Park Mobile Home Park, as it currently operates under Homes of America LLC and Joel, does not appear to be a suitable or recommendable option for locals in Florida seeking a stable, affordable, or well-maintained mobile home living experience. While its location on Merritt Island offers inherent advantages like proximity to the Space Coast's attractions, beaches, and amenities, these benefits are severely overshadowed by the deeply problematic internal conditions and management practices.

The core issues, including alleged disregard for lease terms and Florida Statute 83.49 regarding notice for changes, the imposition of "preposterous" and unnotified utility charges, and severe unresolved structural defects in "new" homes, create an environment of financial instability, discomfort, and legal contention. Residents' explicit warnings to "Dont waste your time or hard earned $" and that the "place is a lawsuit waiting to happen" are unambiguous. For Floridians seeking mobile home living, the expectation is often a blend of community, value, and peace of mind. Colony Park, as depicted by its current residents, appears to offer none of these. Instead, it presents significant risks and potential burdens. Therefore, locals are strongly advised to heed the warnings of current residents and thoroughly explore other mobile home communities in the Merritt Island or broader Brevard County area that demonstrate a commitment to transparent management, fair practices, and habitable living conditions.