topic Re: NO MORE HOA! in Home

NO MORE HOA!

phoenixbrd — Mon, 07 May 2018 19:04:04 GMT

We will never purchase a house with a Home Owner's Association again. Before you start up the walkway to our house, we have a wrought iron arched structure that you walk underneath. For 20 years we have lovingly tended and appreciated the miniature rose bushes on either side that have grown up and over the archway. We received a letter to remove the structure and the plants so the fence along the walkway fence could be painted. My husband painted the fence a few months ago when he painted the fence in our back yard! The archway was not a problem. We just received another letter saying we had 15 days to remove the structure that has been in place for 20 years.

This procedure to cut down living rose bushes that have provided us with their beautiful scent and perfect little buds for so many years has us distraught. After we complete our travel plans we are selling our home. We are looking on Zillow at homes even though we know this is far in the future. I like to find the lesson in every challenging situation and I can only think that we will have more room for guests and a larger garden and won't have to be suject to dictates regarding a home we have paid for.

Re: NO MORE HOA!

on the bay — Mon, 07 May 2018 19:04:59 GMT

I can definitely sympathize!

I would be so upset too.

I was wondering if you could ask them if you could paint it yourself, mentioning that you had in the past without removing rose bushes!

Oh and I think I might even mention that I would think they would be paying for the replanting etc, if they don't allow you to!

Also maybe if they allow you to paint it, since you already did a few months ago!, maybe just touch it up.

That is so ridiculous!!

I have to admire your sense of finding challenge out of difficult situations!That is the spirit of the phoenix! I think I would still be crying.

Re: NO MORE HOA!

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 07 May 2018 19:12:02 GMT

@phoenixbrd- wow, that's too bad. By chance, have you recently had words with any of your neighbors, to the point where they wanted to retaliate by filing a complaint with the HOA about your wrought iron arch? When my DH and I owned a condo with an HOA, we hated it, especially the special assessments that we had no control over. We were so glad to get out of there and join the Never Again Club too.

Re: NO MORE HOA!

dex — Mon, 07 May 2018 19:06:02 GMT

How does the arch interfere with the fence painting?I don’t know how they can force removal of the structure that has been in place for so long.

Re: NO MORE HOA!

phoenixbrd — Tue, 08 May 2018 00:30:44 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch Nor can we...the wrought iron arches are very close to the fence as are the vines of the rose bushes. Who ever is painting the fence has requested the HOA to instruct us to remove them. Someone is making money off of painting the fences and don't want any inconvenience. We saw on our ARLO (my husband has one of the cameras pointed at the walkway and recorded a man running a measuring meter down our walkway to the front door. We didn't know why. After we received the removal letter, we understood that he was the painter and didn't want the inconvenience of the structure/roses,) My husband called HOA to discuss and they said they would be sending another letter. The second letter said we had 15 days instead of 30 days to remove. The HOA only does what is in their best monitary interest...so I'm sure there is more to the story. I have never made this kind of a post. We are working at acceptance...there is no arguing only fines if the dictate is not followed. Time to move after 20 plus years.

@dex wrote:
How does the arch interfere with the fence painting?I don’t know how they can force removal of the structure that has been in place for so long.

Re: NO MORE HOA!

dex — Mon, 07 May 2018 19:24:51 GMT

Well 5hen I agree with another poster who suggested you tell them that you will paint the part of the fence that their hired painter is concerned about.That way everyone could be happy.If they won’t allow that I would consult a lawyer if I felt that strongly.

Re: NO MORE HOA!

Mistic — Mon, 07 May 2018 19:26:36 GMT

I am so sorry that this is happening to you! As I said once before on here, one of my Sisters, and my Daughter live in HOA Hello. It just blows my mind, some of the stuff they tell me. Letters ~ You can't do this, you can't do that... Putting in a request to plant something, etc... My Daughter even got a letter that her trash bin was 2 feet farther up the end of the driveway than it was supposed to be! REALLY?

Best of luck to you on Zillow. I hope you can find a special spot where you will be content, and plant your beautiful Roses to your hearts content. SO SORRY!

Re: NO MORE HOA!

2blonde — Mon, 07 May 2018 19:29:32 GMT

@phoenixbrd I understand completely. I've lived in the same condo since 1991. Several years ago I received a letter about replacing my rear screen door. Well, it just so happens that my condo has never had a rear screen door. There wasn't one there when I moved in, and it's obvious by looking at the (original) doorway that one was never there (no evidence of screws or hinges). I wrote them back with the above info, and that was the last I heard of it.

For the last year they've been trying to get me to let them into my condo to check my attic. It seems that some condos have bathroom vents that only go into the attic, and not all the way up to the roof. The last time I was up there (maybe 20 years ago) I saw that my vents were fine. After that I had extra insulation blown into the attic (the assn. had recommended that after we had our roof replaced), and I never went back up there again. The attic door is actually located in my walk in closet, and there now is a dresser and clothing hanging right under it. I'm no longer able to move all that stuff around for their silliness, and I wouldn't do it even if I could (and have all that insulation falling down into my closet, yet).

Re: NO MORE HOA!

phoenixbrd — Mon, 07 May 2018 20:21:37 GMT

The deed is completed. We are very sad. The front of our home looks desolate and living plants were destroyed. I'm going to put this in the past and, even though it will be more than a year due to travel plans, we will attempt to console ourselves with where we want to move and our new home plans for the future. Appreciate you lending an ear and kind understanding words.

Re: NO MORE HOA!

BirkiLady — Mon, 07 May 2018 19:43:51 GMT

@phoenixbrdRead the By-Laws. Is there anything in the original By-Laws stating you cannot erect something like that arch? If so, your HOA has the right to have you remove it. If not, stand your ground! Have you been on the Board of your HOA and do you attend the meetings regularly? I love living in an HOA and find being an active participate helps keep other homeowners happy.

Those who do not participate are usually the ones who have not read the By-Laws prior to purchasing their homes! Why anyone would buy something without reading the fine print is beyond me, but people do . . . and then complain. Go figure. "Let the buyer beware" is a term we've all heard forever . . . it isn't rocket science to be careful about purchasing something with eyes wide open.

If you've lived in your home for 20 years I would imagine you are completely within your rights . . . and probably within the original HOA's By-Laws. Perhaps there has been a conflict with another resident? After reading your original By-Laws (and any Addendums), you might consider consulting your attorney. If he/she finds nothing out of order, he/she could write a non-threatening letter to the HOA. Kindness pays and it would save so much trouble and expense in relocating based on anger and frustration. Best wishes.

ETA: From reading other posts, it sounds like many of these HOA's must be in condo-type units. I own my land, home and am completely responsible for everything. The HOA maintains the six acres behind me, plus the golf course, softball field, kids playground, pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, clubhouse, etc. (I pay for my own lawn service and snow removal since my son has rental units and his crews do a much better job! Just a matter of choice.) As far as anyone from the HOA "telling" any homeowner what to do, it does't happen. It's a desireable area, with very little turn-over and all homeowner's maintain their homes impeccably.

I couldn't live under some of the "rules" mentioned by posters above, either! Big Brother watching would not be my idea of "Home is where the heart is" . . . but that would have been in the By-Laws.

Re: NO MORE HOA!

Imaoldhippie — Mon, 07 May 2018 19:32:54 GMT

Im so sorry and that is so sad. For the life of me I could never understand anyone living in an HOA community. They are big fishes in a little pond and they like to dictate. The HOA will not care if you move, but I would have a for sale sign up in my yard tomorrow. I would not want to live there any longer. My only words of condolence for you is that God will handle them when the time is right. Good luck to you and God bless.

Re: NO MORE HOA!

Fiero Woman — Mon, 07 May 2018 19:48:17 GMT

HMO associations are small cliques that run the area in which you live, much like when you were in high school. Some have powers while some are recreational HMOs but still have a say so with management. Never, ever get involved with an HMO. I dislike mine so much. I own my home and if an HMO wants to tell me what to do, they need to pay my taxes and upkeep.

Re: NO MORE HOA!

Mominohio — Mon, 07 May 2018 19:56:08 GMT

I think living in the right HOA can be a huge benefit for many people.

Nothing is worse that buying a home, spending years and money fixing and maintaining, just to have neighbors move in and trash the areas surrounding you. It can be both heartbreaking and financially devastating.

HOA's were established so that everyone living in close proximity has to live by the same rules, and rules are set to protect the property values and aesthetics of the area.

I guess I fail to see how something that was allowed to stand for 20 years now is a problem and needs to come down. I would definitely check the rules and I'd fight this and expect damages paid if I could prove it was allowed.

I would not be run off my property for this, unless I was already looking for a reason to leave or had planned to do it soon anyway. It really isn't going to hurt the HOA one bit that you leave, so don't do it with the idea you are making any kind of point with them or 'punishing' them in any way, when all you may be doing is just making more work/expense/stress on yourselves.

At any rate, I'm sorry this has happened as it usually is the people who take good care of properties that get the shaft in these circumstances. Just don't assume that if you choose a neighborhood without an HOA the next time, that you won't have issues, maybe not with being told what you can and can't do, but with putting up with neighbors doing things that you find unappealing.

Unfortunately, there is no perfect place.

Re: NO MORE HOA!

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 07 May 2018 20:28:30 GMT

@phoenixbrd...I would be angry as well but more importantly I would want an answer as to why now after 20 years....I would not be removing the trellis anytime soon....lawyer would be my next move.

Re: NO MORE HOA!

Spurt — Tue, 08 May 2018 15:07:00 GMT

@phoenixbrd

My cousin lives in a house in a subdivision with an HOA....Some of them are ridiculous.......

They sent him a letter because there was an oil stain in his driveway and the HOA gave him so many days to take care of the oil stain. They also included a nasty note that vehicles leaking oil would not be tolerated!!! He sent them a nasty letter back, saying his cars were in excellent condition. The oil stain came from an AT&T cable truck that came to make a repair and they can send their letter to AT&T to remove the oil stain. He also said any further communications can be sent to his attorney! He gave them the name, address, phone number of an attorney that had worked for him in a business deal. He never heard from the HOA again and neither did his attorney!!!

What made him mad was the HOA was supposed to take care of the large grass entrance to the subdivision--mowing the grass and taking care of the flowers that were planted etc....And the grass was never mowed, the flowers died and not removed or replanted....where was the HOA and the monthly fee was pretty steep too--but what DID they do!!!

I live in a condo and my beef with our COA is discussed in another thread involving people not picking up after their dogs. And not working with the Feral Cat Coalition to take care of the feral cats. Otherwise they are pretty good in making sure people maintain their homes in good order, and they do take care of the outside landscaping etc....

Re: NO MORE HOA!

Nightowlz — Mon, 07 May 2018 22:11:57 GMT

I would tell them I'm not removing it since it's been there 15-20 yrs it should be grandfathered in. Tell them to give you some of the paint they are painting the fence with & you will paint it yourself as you have done in the past with no problems.

Sounds like someone all of the sudden wants it gone for some reason & not the painting since you say it can be done without removing it.

There is good /bad with all HOA's. Depends on what all they want you to do & what they will do. We have never paid one.

Re: NO MORE HOA!

AuntG — Mon, 07 May 2018 22:45:22 GMT

@phoenixbrd,it is probably for the best that you complied, but I agree no one should have to deal with such an association.

Re: NO MORE HOA!

Sweetbay magnolia — Tue, 08 May 2018 00:08:32 GMT

Very sorry, @phoenixbrd. The neighborhood will miss your plants, I'm certain. Folks will want to know why and it won't reflect well on the powers that be.

We left an HOA driven community 6 years ago, to an old neighborhood on a state road. While we were moving I kept driving by the president's house and blasting "Free Bird". Childish, I know, but so was some of the malarkey we'd had to put up with at his hands.

Re: NO MORE HOA!

lkat — Tue, 08 May 2018 02:38:28 GMT

Are HOA communities more common in certain parts of the country? I live in New England and I've never known anyone that has one unless they live in a condo/townhome complex. I've never heard of them where there are single family homes.

Re: NO MORE HOA!

qbetzforreal — Tue, 08 May 2018 02:46:22 GMT

Are any of the other homes' walkways customized? Were you given permission to put up the archway 20 yrs ago? If not, they got you. It does stink that they waited 20 yrs to enforce a rule.