JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WKRC) — A Florida social media influencer says her homeowners association is trying to force her from the home she inherited from her father, saying she’s too young to be the sole occupant.

“I 100% am being forced out,” 28-year-old Bethany Michel, who gained a large following on social media under the handle @wubzgrubz for her restaurant reviews, told News4JAX. “They’re trying to rip my office away from me, too.”

Michel inherited her Jacksonville-area home, which is located in a 55-and-older community, Freedom at Arbor Mill, after her father passed away in October 2023. She had also been living in the home since 2020 when she moved in to take care of her father, who was terminally ill at the time. Now, almost three years later, she says she’s still in a legal dispute with the HOA over whether she can live there.

According to the community’s governing documents, every occupied home must include a resident who is at least 55 years old. The community says the restriction is allowed under the federal Housing for Older Persons Act.

Residents must also notify the HOA of occupancy changes after events like a death or inheritance. Michel said the home’s builder was aware her father intended to leave her the home, and she was told she would be grandfathered in after his death.

“My dad’s biggest concern was something would happen to him,” she said. “His dying wish was that this house would be left to his daughter.”

Now, the HOA approved a proposed special assessment that would force the community’s approximately 155 homeowners to contribute around $1,000 to help with legal costs of removing Michel from her home.

“I think people have a stronger desire not to pay $1,000 than they do for me to leave,” Michel said.

Her neighbor, Bob Stadler, agreed. He told News4JAX that he never even knows Michel is there, and if she wants to stay, she should be allowed to stay.

“I don’t think we should have to pay,” Stadler said. “I can’t afford $1,000, and a lot of people around here are on a fixed income.”

News4JAX said it reached out to the HOA and its management company, but they declined to comment.