Community Forums

Beabop · 08-07-2009, 09:06 PM

Home Owners Association. Almost all the retirement communities have one to set the assessment for the streetlights and maintenance of the clubhouse and common grounds.

Jim Stewart · 08-07-2009, 09:15 PM

Home Owners Association.

An association run by a board that is elected by the resident's of a community. The board manages the budget and usually also has an Architectural Committee. The boards usually consist of people who never were successful in life and run for the board so that they can feel important. Usually, they try to insure that they implement and enforce regulations that they personally want and not what the majority of the home owners want.

In frustration, they usually resign after one term and the next batch of wannabees moves in and the cycle starts all over. They bend the rules for their friends and enforce the rules for those they do not like. All in all, a real PITA!

At least so I have heard!

melvonnar · 08-08-2009, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by empty pocket

Whats a HOA?

Home owner association

If you have never lived under one of these dictatorships consider your self very lucky.

avoid these at all costs; they can make your life a liveing H---.
for every good one theres a dozen bad ones.

don't ask me how I know.

mick · 08-08-2009, 08:50 AM

In Fla No1 and Calif No2 , rated as strength of power, the HOAs apply to the state for the exemptions and deed restricktions. In those two states, there has NEVER been a HOA turned down, if the rules meet the constitution. Not the state constitution but the U.S. constitution. They are the STRONGEST group of people in that state. The city, cty and state police HAVE NO SAY over what a HOA does or does not do within their boundries. Many cities GIVE the HOAs power over the streets that are paid for and maintained by the tax payers of everywhere. The atty general made a statement something like, "you cannot win against the czars of HOAs" and if you could , it would cost you a million dollars plus to do so.
Be glad that the politicans do not make america one big HOA.

melvonnar · 08-08-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick

In Fla No1 and Calif No2 , rated as strength of power, the HOAs apply to the state for the exemptions and deed restricktions. In those two states, there has NEVER been a HOA turned down, if the rules meet the constitution. Not the state constitution but the U.S. constitution. They are the STRONGEST group of people in that state. The city, cty and state police HAVE NO SAY over what a HOA does or does not do within their boundries. Many cities GIVE the HOAs power over the streets that are paid for and maintained by the tax payers of everywhere. The atty general made a statement something like, "you cannot win against the czars of HOAs" and if you could , it would cost you a million dollars plus to do so.
Be glad that the politicans do not make america one big HOA.

True True True
If you live in a HOA; they make their own laws and if you don't follow them they will put a lien on your home and the law l(cannot) stop them; they can litterly take your home.
They will tell you what color to paint your home; and when to cut your grass; and how high it is cut; to only name a couple.
They can fine you for not obeying their rules; then hire an attorney; to take your home.
These people (HOA) can ruin your life.

Jim Stewart · 08-08-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick

In Fla No1 and Calif No2 , rated as strength of power, the HOAs apply to the state for the exemptions and deed restricktions. In those two states, there has NEVER been a HOA turned down, if the rules meet the constitution. Not the state constitution but the U.S. constitution. They are the STRONGEST group of people in that state. The city, cty and state police HAVE NO SAY over what a HOA does or does not do within their boundries. Many cities GIVE the HOAs power over the streets that are paid for and maintained by the tax payers of everywhere. The atty general made a statement something like, "you cannot win against the czars of HOAs" and if you could , it would cost you a million dollars plus to do so.
Be glad that the politicans do not make america one big HOA.

The Federal, State and/or local authorities are not responsible for many of the streets in Communities with HOA in Florida. Many do not deed the roads to the government and maintain them themselves.

There is a way to fight them, it's called money. In the one I live in, I wanted to paint my house a similar color to another one in the sub. They turned me down without any reason. I painted it anyway, they sued. I represented myself, they hired a lawyer. After they spent $54,000.00 in legal fees and I spent $589.00, ( I also had to pay my 1/78 of the $54,000.00 in a speical assesment to all homeowners ($692.31) they gave up.

It is easy to represent yourself in Florida and you can keep them tied up in mediation and the courts forever based on Florida law. I subpoenaed all current and past members of the BOD and Architectural Committee. I asked for production of all records of all past approvals and denials for painting requests, all minutes from both board meetings and Architectural Committee meetings, all correspondence and e-mails between any and all of them, etc. I had experts testify on color and how the documents were in error on what colors they required and allowed and how they turned homeowners down based on the BODs personal choice and not a definitive standard.

It was fun, I made the BOD very angry and had most of the other home owners on my side. Attorneys that are assigned this type of case in law firms are usually the very junior people. It's fun to play with them. I have way too much time on my hands!

By the way, they no longer pursue people who paint their house a color they do not like, they approve everything!

melvonnar · 08-08-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Stewart

The Federal, State and/or local authorities are not responsible for many of the streets in Communities with HOA in Florida. Many do not deed the roads to the government and maintain them themselves.

There is a way to fight them, it's called money. In the one I live in, I wanted to paint my house a similar color to another one in the sub. They turned me down without any reason. I painted it anyway, they sued. I represented myself, they hired a lawyer. After they spent $54,000.00 in legal fees and I spent $589.00, ( I also had to pay my 1/78 of the $54,000.00 in a speical assesment to all homeowners ($692.31) they gave up.

It is easy to represent yourself in Florida and you can keep them tied up in mediation and the courts forever based on Florida law. I subpoenaed all current and past members of the BOD and Architectural Committee. I asked for production of all records of all past approvals and denials for painting requests, all minutes from both board meetings and Architectural Committee meetings, all correspondence and e-mails between any and all of them, etc. I had experts testify on color and how the documents were in error on what colors they required and allowed and how they turned homeowners down based on the BODs personal choice and not a definitive standard.

It was fun, I made the BOD very angry and had most of the other home owners on my side. Attorneys that are assigned this type of case in law firms are usually the very junior people. It's fun to play with them. I have way too much time on my hands!

By the way, they no longer pursue people who paint their house a color they do not like, they approve everything!

You sir are an exception'
There was a homeowner in Tampa Florida that refused to resod his yard during the drough here; the last count it was homeowner $100,000 legal fees; and still going on, homeowners HOA (nearly nothing) The HOA just took the legal fees from the dues; it's like being sued by yourself. they need more money they just have an assesment and every one pays including yourself.
I know; it happened to me. I bailed out and gave in to their stupid demands. The firm that I hired ; $250.00 an hour and $3200 up front.
The HOA where I live just had a special assesment (I had to pay that or they would have put a lien on my home)
never never never never buy anwhere that has a HOA.
I can't afford to move or I would have been long gone.

mick · 08-09-2009, 05:11 PM

Yea the guy in Tucson that sued his HOA, won. He can now park his truck in his driveway.

Oh the cost ? his part was 106,000. Dam he could have rented a garage and taxi cab for 30 years for that. BUT HE WON !!!!!!!

And Jim, if Iwere a resident in your HOA, I personally would be mad as hell at your for costing me additional money , just so you could paint your house what color you chose. Look out come next HALLOWEEEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim Stewart · 08-09-2009, 05:27 PM

Naw, I'm nuts, none of them really want to mess with me. Actually, the majority of them supported me. They were mad at the BOD for the frivolous actions and considered it their fault that they had to spend the money and were assessed. The entire BOD and Arch Committee resigned over the whole deal.

Now, I do watch my back for those 6 people, but they were all cowards anyway!

mick · 08-09-2009, 05:46 PM

LOL, now thats funny I dont care who you are.

skipwil · 08-09-2009, 07:02 PM

H O A= home owners association= also means someone else RULES

melvonnar · 08-09-2009, 07:25 PM

I read that home owner associations were suposed to protect your property values; arn't they?'

Jim Stewart · 08-09-2009, 07:47 PM

In many cases yes, they are supposed to. Many people prefer to live in subdivisons where there are HOAs. It is supposed to prevent the neighborhood from going to heck in a hand basket due to things such as lack of maintenance, junk cars, running a car repair business in your yard, outlandish colors, large sheds and outbuildings. etc.

Some get carried away, we lived in one in Cleveland where they wanted to standardized on only terra cota planters on your patios and a specific brand and color of grill. Whacko runs in both directions.

melvonnar · 08-09-2009, 08:26 PM

quote"
Some get carried away, we lived in one in Cleveland where they wanted to standardized on only terra cota planters on your patios and a specific brand and color of grill. Whacko runs in both directions.

from what I read; a lot of them go way off the deep end. I believe I'd rather live with the junk in the yards than have a dictator tell me what kind of planter I can have.