Communities with an HOA

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Governments usually exempt themselves from their own laws. But like I said, I think safety concerns override a bang in the night.

I guess what I'm saying is somehow they manage just fine in my area to not do what you do at least not as a matter of normal procedure (and like I said I've never heard a peep regarding that). I don't think my county doesn't do what your area does because they don't care about safety.

I see garbage trucks picking up people's garbage all the time too. They start at 8am for residential and that's just my city. Somehow I haven't heard a story about some kid getting hit or nearly hit by a garbage vehicle (by virtue of the pick up time), I've not heard any concerned parent say "oh my those garbage vehicles we must not have them picking up our garbage while the kids are walking" and let's be honest my County has a stereotype for snobby, soccer mom style people, I would have heard about it by now if that was an issue. And I would have heard if there was beeping from a garbage truck picking up in the wee hours.

IDK don't know what to tell you because it seems to have and is working in my area. It's working in your area can't negate that but I certainly wouldn't appreciate a wee hours of the morning wake up call.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

What extenuating circumstances could possibly force him park it at his home?

Maybe he owns the truck and has no where else to park it. Maybe it's his only vehicle so even if there were somewhere else to park it, he'd have no way to get to and from it every day. Maybe he has to take calls at all times and it would take too much time or gas (that he may not be compensated for) to drive to some company parking lot to pick up the truck before driving potentially in the opposite direction to get to the customer who needs towed.

I understand the argument, to an extent, that you shouldn't move into an HOA if you aren't willing to follow the rules, but without seeing the actual HOA documents, all we have to go on is the OP saying it's a violation. They may be correct, but there may be other fine print that allows commercial vehicles if they are personally owned that may apply here, or specific definitions of commercial vehicles that may not apply, or any number of things that might muddy the waters. There may even be city ordnances that factor into play in giving the upper hand to the truck owner over any HOA rules concerning this issue.

It's also possible that the truck owner didn't do this job/own this truck when he bought his home, so never went into it expecting to break any rules. Maybe something happened and this is the only way he can support his family right now.

 

[Hikergirl]

Maybe he owns the truck and has no where else to park it. Maybe it's his only vehicle so even if there were somewhere else to park it, he'd have no way to get to and from it every day. Maybe he has to take calls at all times and it would take too much time or gas (that he may not be compensated for) to drive to some company parking lot to pick up the truck before driving potentially in the opposite direction to get to the customer who needs towed.

I understand the argument, to an extent, that you shouldn't move into an HOA if you aren't willing to follow the rules, but without seeing the actual HOA documents, all we have to go on is the OP saying it's a violation. They may be correct, but there may be other fine print that allows commercial vehicles if they are personally owned that may apply here, or specific definitions of commercial vehicles that may not apply, or any number of things that might muddy the waters. There may even be city ordnances that factor into play in giving the upper hand to the truck owner over any HOA rules concerning this issue.

It's also possible that the truck owner didn't do this job/own this truck when he bought his home, so never went into it expecting to break any rules. Maybe something happened and this is the only way he can support his family right now.

According to the OP he is in clear violation of the rules, and the HOA has attempted to get him to remove it. She also says he does this "sometimes" so there are other places that truck is parked at other times.
His personal issues are just that- personal. The HOA and his neighbors are not responsible for dealing with his personal issues. He is. Why does the OP and everyone else have to "let" him break rules they are all expected to follow? What happens when it's another neighbor and then another.
There is a reason there are rules in place and if a person isn't willing to follow them, even at an inconvenience, then do your neighbors a favor and move somewhere else.

It's easy to give a pass to someone when it doesn't effect you personally.
I wonder how many change their tune when it does.

 

[wgeo]

I'm assuming that it is less the look of the truck that is the issue and more about getting woken up during the night with the beeping. That would personally bother me.

Sure the neighbor could have extenuating circumstances, but it's also been months, that is plenty of time for him to figure out a solution and follow the rules. And if he did have extenuating circumstances he could be discussing that with the HOA when they sent him the first violation notices. If he had, the HOA would probably have worked with him, but if he's getting multiple notices and fines, it seems like he's not attempting to fix the situation.

 

[luvsJack]

I get it, your dh is a truck driver so you are biased on how ugly and how much of a nuisance they may be parked in a nice residential neighborhood.
The bottom line is that it is against the HOA's rules and does not belong in that driveway. The OP has every right to try to have it removed regardless of your thoughts on the matter.

my husband drives an 18 wheeler not a tow truck and not a work truck. Three very different things from three very different worlds. An 18 wheeler WOULD probably be a nuisance as it would probably block the neighbor’s view in getting and out of their drive way.

She has the right, doesn’t mean she should.

The bottom line is that consideration for other’s lives and reasons would go along way in getting along. But hey, if she has no issue making an enemy, more power to her. I wasn’t aware that my OPINION was somehow forcing her into anything.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

so never went into it expecting to break any rules. Maybe something happened and this is the only way he can support his family right now.

True but that's a case for where impartiality needs to rule.

If the OP had a newborn baby and the beeping woke the baby up everyone who says the tow truck driver should be left alone it may be him supporting his family, etc would they now flip the switch and say "well but the OP has a newborn baby and they're just trying to get sleep when they can and they have work to go to, etc?"

There may even be city ordnances that factor into play in giving the upper hand to the truck owner over any HOA rules concerning this issue.

That still means the OP is free to complain to the HOA.

In my HOA you are supposed to move your vehicle every 24 hours if parked on the street. The city's ordinance is every 48hours. That does not mean the HOA can't fine a person if they chose to for not moving their vehicle. That person would still be in violation and the city has no control over that. Can the HOA have the vehicle towed? No that's out of their jurisdiction. Now if the vehicle was in violation of the city's ordinance AND the HOA both could be contacted.

I think people think that just because the HOA and the city may have conflicting ordinances and rules means the HOA is unable to do anything. There are a variety of situations where they still have recourse--usually a fine and if not paid a lien on the property and in certain cases suing/going to court.

 

[luvsJack]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Based on your comments you believe that since the truck would not bother you it should not bother anyone else. Is that not the pot calling the kettle black?

The OP moved into a neighborhood where there was a realistic expectation she would not have to look at a large truck. She has every right to be upset that her expectation is not being met in my opinion. You are entitled to disagree with us as that is your opinion.

OP, good luck getting this resolved which is exactly what I would be working towards also.

No. I think that it would be a much better world if people at least tried to get along. “Reporting” your neighbor for a truck doesn’t do this.

She has every right to be bothered about the truck. She has ever right to be bothered if he planted blue flowers instead of red flowers. Doesn’t mean that the best course of action is to do something that causes a great inconvenience to her neighbor and just maybe she should find that out before pressing the issue.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

my husband drives an 18 wheeler not a tow truck and not a work truck. Three very different things from three very different worlds. An 18 wheeler WOULD probably be a nuisance as it would probably block the neighbor’s view in getting and out of their drive way.

She has the right, doesn’t mean she should.

The bottom line is that consideration for other’s lives and reasons would go along way in getting along. But hey, if she has no issue making an enemy, more power to her. I wasn’t aware that my OPINION was somehow forcing her into anything.

So the OPs should be considerate of the truck driver and the truck driver should have no consideration for the OP? Is that your opinion? It is more important that the OP not make an enemy of the truck drive than the truck driver not make an enemy of the OP?

The truck driver does not have the right to park his commercial vehicle at his home, but he should be able to?

Do you know how hypocritical you come across?

 

[luvsJack]

So the OPs should be considerate of the truck driver and the truck driver should have no consideration for the OP? Is that your opinion? It is more important that the OP not make an enemy of the truck drive than the truck driver not make an enemy of the OP?

The truck driver does not have the right to park his commercial vehicle at his home, but he should be able to?

Do you know how hypocritical you come across?

I am still waiting for someone to tell me how it’s hurting the OP.

And if him parking a truck in his driveway makes her his enemy then the problem is not the truck.

And if you bothered to read—I said there may be extenuating circumstances that she doesn’t k ow about.

Not thinking every rule is a life or death situation isn’t being hypocritical, it’s being reasonable.

My neighbor has two little cocker spaniels that like to get out in my driveway and yip yip yip at my dog. Makes my dog bark, very irritating at times. Should I go stomping down there and DEMAND that he get his trespassing dogs off my driveway or call animal control? The man lives alone and his dogs are his children. I mean I could do those things but I would prefer not to make him hate me. Just a bit of neighborly consideration.

 

[tvguy]

I guess what I'm saying is somehow they manage just fine in my area to not do what you do at least not as a matter of normal procedure (and like I said I've never heard a peep regarding that). I don't think my county doesn't do what your area does because they don't care about safety.

I see garbage trucks picking up people's garbage all the time too. They start at 8am for residential and that's just my city. Somehow I haven't heard a story about some kid getting hit or nearly hit by a garbage vehicle (by virtue of the pick up time), I've not heard any concerned parent say "oh my those garbage vehicles we must not have them picking up our garbage while the kids are walking" and let's be honest my County has a stereotype for snobby, soccer mom style people, I would have heard about it by now if that was an issue. And I would have heard if there was beeping from a garbage truck picking up in the wee hours.

IDK don't know what to tell you because it seems to have and is working in my area. It's working in your area can't negate that but I certainly wouldn't appreciate a wee hours of the morning wake up call.

I am referring to commercial garbage pickup at Schools, and malls. Not residential pickup Residential is done during normal business hours. For commercial and schools it is done in the wee hours because they may not have access during normal business hours.

 

[Calee]

We used to live in a house where my bedroom window overlooked the neighbor's driveway. They would start their car EARLY and leave it running with the lights on to heat up. The headlights shown directly into my bedroom that I was sharing with my infant. It woke us both up at about 530 every morning. I thought I was going to die.

So my husband went next door and really nicely told them what was happening. The started turning their car the other way so that the lights didn't shine in our window.

Sometimes talking to someone nicely about a situation and how it might be affecting you (if the beeping of the truck is waking OP or her children up, for example) can help people find solutions. Sometimes it might even go further than reporting them when they realize that their behavior is affecting you negatively.

Now, if its just about the view, sorry I've got nothing.

 

[mjkacmom]

That wouldn't happen here--we have noise ordinances.

At least for our City the trash should be out by 8am and they wouldn't be collecting any business or school's dumpster at 3am.

I know in my college I don't believe they would be doing that at 3am either and they def. didn't do that at the apartment complex (off campus) I lived at.

I think that's an excuse being used for safety. Somehow in all the residential neighborhoods here in the suburbs you don't hear one complaint from anyone nor have I ever heard a noise that the garbage dumpsters at the schools were being picked up late at night or the wee hours of the morning. That may be a preference to do it at that time OR time management in terms of resources.

Our garbage and recycling gets picked up at 6:30 am, and it’s loud, and our bedroom is on the other side of the house, and I have a white noise machine. DH forgets to put it out often enough that I stress twice a week hearing it. Our mail, on the other hand, comes after 4 pm.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

I am still waiting for someone to tell me how it’s hurting the OP.

It bothers the OP. It is not for you to say she should be ok with having to look at an eyesore. That is fine that you do not understand or agree. That does not mean it is not hurting the OP in her opinion.

And if him parking a truck in his driveway makes her his enemy then the problem is not the truck.

You are the one who brought in the term enemy

And if you bothered to read—I said there may be extenuating circumstances that she doesn’t k ow about.

It has been months. Notices have been sent. If there are extenuating circumstances the truck driver needs to act like an adult and work to address and correct. Ignoring them when they know they are in the wrong is not proper adult behavior.

Not thinking every rule is a life or death situation isn’t being hypocritical, it’s being reasonable.

Nobody said this was a life or death situation. You imply the OP should not consider it important as you do not think it is important. You believe the truck driver is doing nothing wrong and his rights are all that matter. The truck driver is the party not following the HOA rules which is the only fact in this whole thread. Everything else is opinions and each is entitled to their own.

My neighbor has two little cocker spaniels that like to get out in my driveway and yip yip yip at my dog. Makes my dog bark, very irritating at times. Should I go stomping down there and DEMAND that he get his trespassing dogs off my driveway or call animal control? The man lives alone and his dogs are his children. I mean I could do those things but I would prefer not to make him hate me. Just a bit of neighborly consideration.

Is there a dog ordinance in your community? Is he breaking any previously agreed to rules? If he is, then you have a right to complain. If there are no rules then you do not have a right to complain. If you have the right, and choose not to, that is your decision.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Mowing your grass is always in your control. If you can't do it yourself you find or hire someone to do it for you.
Sorry but those who expect rules to be bent or broken for them don't belong in HOAs. You agree to certain rules, it is your responsibility to follow them even if it is at an inconvenience to you. Folks with an entitlement mentality have plenty of other places to move too. Those who move into HOA controlled neighborhoods should expect to follow the rules and their neighbors too. Thats kind of the point to moving there.

And I don't like HOAs, never would move where there was one, but I do believe in following the rules one agrees too. That is just common sense.

Sure. Couldn't afford groceries or the mortgage payment but we could afford to hire someone to landscape for us. No, sometimes things are outside of your control. We survived on me earning $10/hour working 60-70 hour weeks and the literal $67 a week my DH got in WC because he was injured working a part time job he took on to save money for when I was on maternity leave. So I don't know how miraculously you would have managed but I felt pretty good that I saved our house the 9 months he was out of work. Landscapers cost money, but compassion is free. Even $20 to a neighbor kid was out of the question for us.

Thank God I don't live in an HOA, and if I did, I wouldn't care about someone violating the rules as long as they weren't breaking the law. You absolutely never know what someone else is going through.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

So the OPs should be considerate of the truck driver and the truck driver should have no consideration for the OP? Is that your opinion? It is more important that the OP not make an enemy of the truck drive than the truck driver not make an enemy of the OP?

The truck driver does not have the right to park his commercial vehicle at his home, but he should be able to?

Do you know how hypocritical you come across?

The truck driver might not be aware of how he/she is doing is impacting their neighbor. The neighbor is now dealing with the HOA who is just flatly saying he/she must remove the vehicle (which may or may not be possible) instead of reaching a compromise that improves the situation for the OP.

Adults talk to each other instead of reporting issues to HOAs and peeking through the blinds waiting for results.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I am referring to commercial garbage pickup at Schools, and malls. Not residential pickup Residential is done during normal business hours. For commercial and schools it is done in the wee hours because they may not have access during normal business hours.

I know but I'm also talking about pick up at schools. The schools are in the residential areas. The elementary school is a street away from me. Residential pick up would be the same risk as commercial pick up though I believe my city lumps school contracts in with residential. They use the mechanical arm. There's never been a complaint to my knowledge about the garbage trucks picking up residential trash from people's homes when the kids are walking to school which between all the areas someone is going to have their trash picked up around 8am when schools start.

Your prior comment was that it was for safety though you're adding that they may not have access during normal business hours (which I'm not saying isn't necessarily the case in your area). Somehow they may it work in my area with all the schools around where many of them are contained within the neighborhood or very close to neighborhoods. Different areas may have different parameters though. I just don't think your area is doing it for safety but my area is not doing what your area is doing and isn't concerned about safety (edited: reworded sentence) if that makes sense.

Now malls and the like I'm going to guess noise ordinances are what's going to be more prevalent there as there's less pedestrian traffic likely. Consideration towards higher residential make ups may be done to mitigate sounds. The main mall I go to (aside from outdoor ones around) has 1 neighborhood area one 1 side. There is a higher brick wall on that one side that I'm sure is to help with the sound as much as it is for looks.

 

[luvsJack]

Being an eyesore is not hurting. IF his circumstances were that he had to have it to get to work: Job vs eyesore. Seems like a no brainer to me.

It’s not about whether I think it’s important. But in The grand scheme of things do you really feel it’s that important? If so, can we trade lives?

And I already said it was my opinion.

As for my neighbor, yes I have the “right” to complain. Having the “right” to do something doesn’t always make it the right thing to do.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Thank goodness we bought our home before HOA became an "in" thing. I couldn't live with busy bodies turning in their neighbors for violations before trying to solve things with their neighbor first. I couldn't live with having the board approving my choice of paint, landscaping or even having to park my car in the garage by a certain time. I was watching one of those judge shows and I almost swear it was Judge Judy. She said that she would never live in an HOA neighborhood. She went on to say that you never really "own" your house. The HOA does. I understand exactly what she is saying.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Our garbage and recycling gets picked up at 6:30 am, and it’s loud, and our bedroom is on the other side of the house, and I have a white noise machine. DH forgets to put it out often enough that I stress twice a week hearing it. Our mail, on the other hand, comes after 4 pm.

6:30am is at least better than 3am IMO lol. I would stress too trying to remember to put it out in time. We do ours the night before for that reason but we've forgotten every now and then and then I'm just like "whelp guess it's next week" lol.

I really don't know all the companies that do residential and their pick up times but it won't be 3am that's for sure.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

The truck driver might not be aware of how he/she is doing is impacting their neighbor. The neighbor is now dealing with the HOA who is just flatly saying he/she must remove the vehicle (which may or may not be possible) instead of reaching a compromise that improves the situation for the OP.

Adults talk to each other instead of reporting issues to HOAs and peeking through the blinds waiting for results.

The owner of the truck needed to address the issue with the HOA once they were advised it was an issue. By ignoring all the notifications for the HOA it comes across as he has no desire to compromise. I don't blame the OP for not wanting to be confrontational. I would not want to be in that position either which is one of the many plusses of being in an HOA.