An Andover condominium association, a property management company and two people have been charged by the Department of Housing and Urban Development with discriminating against families with children.

HUD accused Property Management of Andover Inc., and its property manager, and Stonecleave Village Association, and its president, with unlawfully charging fees to parents for allowing their children to play in the common area.

Four families living at Stonecleave Village filed complaints after the condo association designated a children’s play area after receiving numerous complaints about loud behavior. The families were then told they were being fined $10 a day for two days for children playing in the common area, $10 a day for two days for allegedly causing damage, $25 to reimburse for the damage and $437.50 for attorney fees. Prior to this, the families had not received any fines or warning, and when an adult resident was having a party on the common grounds, no fine was issued.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of family status. In addition, HUD is accusing the respondents of retaliating against families by charging them $437.50 for the association’s attorney fees for pursuing a discrimination complaint.

"These charges point to a disturbing practice where families were literally expected to pay to play," said John Trasviña, HUD assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity. "It’s clearly illegal to impose different rules and restrictions on families with children and then to retaliate against them should they complain about their mistreatment. HUD is deeply committed to protecting fair housing rights and making sure that housing providers understand the law."