HOAs Strike Again

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Good or bad, just not for me. I'll never pay 3/4 of a million dollars for home that I don't have true freedom over. We have a 25 foot travel trailer we park on the side of our house. Completely not allowed in a lot of HOAs.

FWIW you don't have true freedom in just about anywhere. Most counties or cities or both have rules.

In our area depending on where you live city rules will prohibit that 25 foot trailer from being on the side of your home for more than X amount of time (usually a couple of days at most). In fact one of the cities near me if you want to put your boat on the street you have to get a permit (free) and it's good for up to a week I think.

My in-laws have their 40+ foot 5th wheel trailer parked in front of their house all the time except when they use it to go on their trips, but they also live in a county that is largely country feel and they moved there so they could get some land (they have 10 acres) for a good enough price. They still have neighbors and all but largely their area is country. They hate the county though, they don't get two hoots about many things and refuse to do a lot for their citizens. It's a stark difference to our county.

People think HOA have all the rules out there but does anyone really take time to learn all the rules of their city and county? Because I bet you you would be surprised at what is and isn't allowed. Of course some areas may not have much enforcement but that goes for HOAs too.

 

[HopperFan]

I am living in my second HOA. Both very different. The first one was in California and to be honest, never heard from them (besides an occassional update or increase fee notice). The one I live in now, opposite side of the coin. I have caught a board member walking down my lower driveway and clearly coming from my backyard, have gotten letters that "blades of grass were coming up thru the pine bark (mind you it was a patch about 6 inches in length). What really, really bothered me was the pandemic really hit, schools closed/grocery stores empty, people dying, etc. the HOA sent out notifications (power wash your house, power wash driveway, replenish pine bark, trim flowers by mailbox, refinish mailbox). I thought that was in really poor taste.

Check your covenants/by-laws ... unless your property is part of the common land that person was likely trespassing and I'd call them out on it. I think often Board members take privileges that are not theirs to take. While no fun to run for a board position sometimes it is necessary to bring a board back into control. Like minded residents could work together to run for new board positions.

In our community we don't have any amenities, but written in we can join a neighboring swim/tennis if we want. Our front entrance, walls, fencing, signage etc are all on the property of the last two houses. THEY pay all the real estate taxes on land that the HOA has full authority and easement to use. Interesting to me and I don't even know if either of those homeowners realize they are paying the taxes. HOA does have all that area insured and of course maintains it. But that is the ONLY area we can access without permission from a homeowner.

 

[Brett Wyman]

FWIW you don't have true freedom in just about anywhere. Most counties or cities or both have rules.

In our area depending on where you live city rules will prohibit that 25 foot trailer from being on the side of your home for more than X amount of time (usually a couple of days at most). In fact one of the cities near me if you want to put your boat on the street you have to get a permit (free) and it's good for up to a week I think.

My in-laws have their 40+ foot 5th wheel trailer parked in front of their house all the time except when they use it to go on their trips, but they also live in a county that is largely country feel and they moved there so they could get some land (they have 10 acres) for a good enough price. They still have neighbors and all but largely their area is country. They hate the county though, they don't get two hoots about many things and refuse to do a lot for their citizens. It's a stark difference to our county.

People think HOA have all the rules out there but does anyone really take time to learn all the rules of their city and county? Because I bet you you would be surprised at what is and isn't allowed. Of course some areas may not have much enforcement but that goes for HOAs too.

Yes thats true our city ordnance is it has to be truly on the "side", . i.e. no part sticking out past the front of home. But there are also no board member lookie loos nosing about to see if I am one centimeter past the "front".

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I would hate to live in one that dictates matching mailboxes and the colors of doors and stuff.

Most of the newer neighborhoods in my area that have HOAs they have cluster mailboxes.

As far as colors I hear ya and others on that we have a list of acceptable trim, doors and house colors on the other hand you can submit a request for approval on a color that isn't on the list. We did that and got a color that more suited us, another house did that too (although that one was a shade of muted yellow). In truth it's nice not to have a purple house (not plum but purple purple) or a canary yellow house or magenta (all of which I've seen out and about in other areas).

There are a few neighborhoods in our metro where the design of them is to be bright non-traditional colors, that's in line with their theme, those are quaint cute style but it's nice to have those planned out. I wouldn't want to live in those neighborhoods personally but appreciate that some do.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Yes thats true our city ordnance is it has to be truly on the "side", . i.e. no part sticking out past the front of home. But there are also no board member lookie loos nosing about to see if I am one centimeter past the "front".

But there can be city or county employees who serve the same function, not specifically saying your area just saying in general.

A person on nextdoor had a city employee at their house for questioning a deck and lack of stairs because code is if it's X size it has to have stairs for safety. They bought the house 10 months ago and have no idea why they are getting a city inspector asking about it when they didn't build the house and moved in quite a while ago.

Another one on nextdoor had a city fine due to their yard of which 1) needed to be cut (it can only be 6 or 8 inches high can't remember) 2) it needed to be essentially a complete overhaul as it was now vast majority weeds rather than grass. I've seen some homes that are worse than the one the person had so it can be inconsistent in enforcement like I mentioned before.

Typically though there's a complaint made that generates the city or county investigation but it can happen due to sale or yearly appraisal (they won't go in your backyard but if it's visible from the street they can see things). They may not necessarily be measuring out unless by eyeball the trailer looks to be out of compliance but depending on where one lives you still could have someone still up in your business so to speak. Conversely you may live in an HOA that doesn't much care about that but the city does.

I def. think there are times HOAs, cities and counties go overzealous with their rules and enforcement. Like a being just a smidge over for your trailer isn't a big issue unless it's obstructing access so I'd be like busy-bodies need to leave it alone lol.

 

[aprilgail]

Would never live in an HOA neighborhood- to have to listen to rules that a few power hungry nobodies make up would not work for me. The town has enough ordinances to keep things like dilapidated boats and 18 wheelers off the street without telling me what I can and can't plant, what color I can paint my house and if I can cut trees down, have a shed or how many cars I can have!

 

[soccerdad72]

For every one of these strange HOA stories that get posted, there are thousands of others that are completely innocuous. It's always a story like this that gets the attention, however.

 

[mrodgers]

Like many things, people will experience or read about "bad" HOAs and declare they're ALL bad. But, as some have pointed out on this thread, many HOAs can be OK, if not "good".

Nothing at all good about an HOA. If you're not paying my taxes and mortgage payment, you have no business as a neighbor who owns other property than mine to tell me what to do.

 

[jaybirdsmommy]

This is true. We technically have an HOA but the rules are pretty simple. Like lots cannot be subdivided down smaller than 5 acres, no mobile homes and no industrial type farming. You can have cattle or whatever for personal use. And it exists to pay road fees bc it's on a private road. This used to be a 250 acre farm that was subdivided into lots of 7-13 acres. Nothing at all is enforced tho bc no one wants to pay extra $ to enforce things. One couple bought a lot and lived in a camper for 2 years even tho thats expressly against the covenants. The HOA did nothing bc to enforce it would cost $. We didn't mind the rules here because they are pretty simple, but I'd never by a home with an HOA that said what color your house could be, what type of fencing etc.

We live in a neighborhood like this, only we are 2 houses away from actually being in the HOA. We pay the fees anyway (like $25/year) because it covers the neighborhood directory and a couple of parties each year. Other than that, the only thing I've ever seen them try to enforce is the rule that says you can only have 1 liveable structure on your lot. Barns and sheds are fine, but only 1 house. Our neighbor built a granny pod type thing for his in-laws and someone reported him to the HOA. They sent out multiple emails "reminding" everyone of the rules and attached copies of the neighborhood covenant. After a couple of years of this, someone finally "replied all" on one of the emails and told them to leave the guy alone, he's not even in the official neighborhood and thereby doesn't have to abide by the covenants. He did eventually build a roof over his driveway connecting the 2 structures, I guess as a way of appeasing the busy bodies.

 

[sam_gordon]

Nothing at all good about an HOA. If you're not paying my taxes and mortgage payment, you have no business as a neighbor who owns other property than mine to tell me what to do.

Read the thread. There are posts from people who have been HELPED by HOAs.

Our HOA takes care of the entrance. It installed street lights. It arranges food trucks every Friday for folks to enjoy. It keeps people from clogging streets with parked vehicles.

Yup, there's nothing good about HOAs.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Would never live in an HOA neighborhood- to have to listen to rules that a few power hungry nobodies make up would not work for me. The town has enough ordinances to keep things like dilapidated boats and 18 wheelers off the street without telling me what I can and can't plant, what color I can paint my house and if I can cut trees down, have a shed or how many cars I can have!

I live in an HOA and none of that applies to me either.

I'm really confused why people who say they are anti-HOA seem to think they are all identical and dictate every single thing. That couldn't be further from the truth.

Mine mows common areas, does all snow removal, general area landscaping, and that's about it. They don't dictate anything as far as what your house looks like. So to generalize and say they all do that is ignorant.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

if I can cut trees down

I hate to break it to you but cities have those rules too depending on where you live. Go check out this thread

https://www.disboards.com/threads/should-i-get-the-tree-removed-or-not-wwyd.3889359/

 

[CdnCarrie]

I never even heard of a HOA before joining the disboards. Not really a thing in our province. Condo fees exist for those who own condos but that’s more for the shared space.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I never even heard of a HOA before joining the disboards. Not really a thing in our province. Condo fees exist for those who own condos but that’s more for the shared space.

Same concept for HOAs although there's a tad more to it. But an HOA is responsible for common space on HOA property.

In truth I'd be more wary of condo or townhouse associations because they are actually responsible for the exterior buildings. Failure to upkeep the roofs and you might be in for some big trouble or exterior issues for example. Not to mention insurance policies on the exterior.

There was a condo association in my metro where the prior Board the leader failed in her duties and she never maintained a reserve for repairs and upkeep to the buildings. She was ousted and a new one came on but had to more than double the HOA fees because the buildings were all in need of new roofs and some of the buildings had wood rot.

Now like other HOAs you've got good ones and bad ones but my preference would at least be responsible for my own home. Not maintaining enough reserves can be an issue regardless and lead to issues but at least you won't have a leaky roof or structural issues of your own property because of it.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Check your covenants/by-laws ... unless your property is part of the common land that person was likely trespassing and I'd call them out on it. I think often Board members take privileges that are not theirs to take. While no fun to run for a board position sometimes it is necessary to bring a board back into control. Like minded residents could work together to run for new board positions.

In our community we don't have any amenities, but written in we can join a neighboring swim/tennis if we want. Our front entrance, walls, fencing, signage etc are all on the property of the last two houses. THEY pay all the real estate taxes on land that the HOA has full authority and easement to use. Interesting to me and I don't even know if either of those homeowners realize they are paying the taxes. HOA does have all that area insured and of course maintains it. But that is the ONLY area we can access without permission from a homeowner.

I was kind of taken back seeing that lady in my driveway. I should of said something to her, but didn't. The HOA I'm in now are real pains in the you know what. About a year ago, word got out the our HOA manager was resigning because she couldn't work with or get along with some of the board members. And shortly after that, somehow those board members names got out. This all went down via social media. One of the board member's husband took to social media in a rant saying we don't understand how much his wife does for us, etc. Everyone sounded like immature teenagers. Our neighbor who has been in this neighborhood since it opened said he's never seen a bunch of board members like this.

 

[tvguy]

We have a management company to handle administrative tasks only. That is on the HOA if they allowed the management company to keep any fines paid. Does the management company have a life time contract to do this work? Or does the management company charge a lesser base cost and use fines received to make up the difference/increase profit? The HOA might have done that as a cost savings for those who follow the rules.

I love our HOA. Our grass is cut, snow is removed, landscaping maintained, flower beds cleaned out twice a year, and other common areas kept nice. All I have to do is pay a quaterly fee that costs me less than I would pay someone to do all of this myself.

Yes we have rules, but I do not have to worry about our neighbors painting their house pink, having a chicken coop, or junk cars or commercial vehicles parked all over the place. The only rule changes have been positive IMHO. Allowing solar panels as long as they are not visible from any of our roads (and the way our houses are designed this can be done very easily), and added additional color options for front doors. We also have a monthly social activity.

I would prefer to not live in an are without an HOA,, but this is definitely a to each their own.

Well, all I can say there must be a reason that business is booming for lawyers who specialize in HOA law.
But seriously, you look at the HOA rules before you buy, and if you don't like the rules, don't buy in that house. The Joker is always going to be the individuals on the HOA board. And from a practical standpoint, there are HOA rules that either are outright illegal under current law and circumstances and too expensive to change, or rules that ignored. How many HOA's had rules the prohibited working from home that were ignored in the past two years?

 

[disykat]

Look, ALL that I'm saying is that I don't think that the crime of feeding a wild animal should be losing one's house. It's just not worth all that no matter what!

I would agree with you on that. However, she is not "losing her home." She is choosing to move because she's mad that the HOA is fining her.

Around here, geese are a HUGE issue and I'd be thrilled if an HOA could somehow control the problem.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Well, all I can say there must be a reason that business is booming for lawyers who specialize in HOA law.
But seriously, you look at the HOA rules before you buy, and if you don't like the rules, don't buy in that house. The Joker is always going to be the individuals on the HOA board. And from a practical standpoint, there are HOA rules that either are outright illegal under current law and circumstances and too expensive to change, or rules that ignored. How many HOA's had rules the prohibited working from home that were ignored in the past two years?

Are there HOAs that prohibit working from home as in being a remote worker or is the rule actually about running your own home business? Home businesses are even a tricky thing with normal homeowner's insurance. Having people coming and going can be an attractive nuisance and open up other issues such as retaliatory action on a disgruntled customer. But from my knowledge I've not known an HOA to say "you can't be a remote worker" it was about running your own business out of your home

 

[tvguy]

Are there HOAs that prohibit working from home as in being a remote worker or is the rule actually about running your own home business? Home businesses are even a tricky thing with normal homeowner's insurance. Having people coming and going can be an attractive nuisance and open up other issues such as retaliatory action on a disgruntled customer. But from my knowledge I've not known an HOA to say "you can't be a remote worker" it was about running your own business out of your home

NBC Nightly News did a story on this at the beginning of the pandemic. In some areas working out of your house is a violation of either HOA rules or CC& Rs. Anything you are doing where you are being compensated for work done in your home. This is different from say having a business in your home where clients/customers actually come to your home to conduct business. That type thing is usually prohibited by City and County Zoning rules in residential areas.
Former neighbor on my east side ran an accounting business from his home and had 12 phone lines installed. When he sold the house the home inspector spotted that, and the buyer made them remove them because if was an indication that the C.R.& R's had been violated. Nit picking for sure, the on paper, a violation.
Of course the guy across the street made violin and cello bows in his back bedroom that he converted into a full work shop. And he had clients stopping by. But that might only been 4 or 5 people a year.

 

[sam_gordon]

I was kind of taken back seeing that lady in my driveway. I should of said something to her, but didn't. The HOA I'm in now are real pains in the you know what. About a year ago, word got out the our HOA manager was resigning because she couldn't work with or get along with some of the board members. And shortly after that, somehow those board members names got out. This all went down via social media. One of the board member's husband took to social media in a rant saying we don't understand how much his wife does for us, etc. Everyone sounded like immature teenagers. Our neighbor who has been in this neighborhood since it opened said he's never seen a bunch of board members like this.

Shouldn't the board members names BE public to start with? At least in the neighborhood?