HOA hassles

TheSuzie · #1 05-23-2011, 04:28 PM

I have been staying at a friend's place while they are away. I am trying to resupply and reorganize to go back to being homeless, a big task since I just lost most of my survival stuff and really need to find a different vehicle. I just found out that neighbors have complained to the HOA about a number of things I have done.

While some of these complaints are true and valid, there are many gross exaggerations and complete untruths within the list of complaints. I believe these are prompted by the fact that I do not appear be as affluent as most of the residents - I have an older car, I've lost my decent clothing, people know that I have been homeless etc. Note that everything I wear is clean and new, it is just cheap throw away stuff and does not always fit me as well as it should.

There may also be some homophobia mixed in to some folks attitudes but nothing overt. The fact that I have to wear a respirator in order to be able to breathe outdoors in this neighborhood may also contribute to some negative attitudes.

As I said there were some valid complaints under the rules here but also some outright BS. I also do not like that my friends received the complaint with out a single person in the neighborhood saying anything to me. Where I come from, this is a pretty chicken$*** way of dealing with things. Unless I am actually afraid someone is going to be violent, I like to think that I would say something directly.

Anyway, I am POed enough that I better avoid talking to anyone around here as I am likely to really stick my foot in it.

Grrrrrr,
S

Stinsok · #2 05-23-2011, 04:29 PM

They complain about your car and your clothes? That's way outta line.

fourstringdrums · #3 05-23-2011, 04:32 PM

Your car and your clothes? Seriously? Usually HOA's only care about the upkeep of the place, any remodeling issues, or noise issues...things like that.

MatticusMania · #4 05-23-2011, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSuzie

While some of these complaints are true and valid, there are many gross exaggerations and complete untruths within the list of complaints....

I also do not like that my friends received the complaint with out a single person in the neighborhood saying anything to me

Ah, the world that is the HOA. Both those quoted lines above, I have experienced at my home as well.

We've gotten false claims, like when the HOA hit my fiancee with a noise complaint pertaining to our dog. Oh, we dont have a dog.

Then there was the one where they said my roommate threw away a large 52" TV, one that we never owned nor touched.

And of course the latest one, about the creeping vine we have climbing up the newly painted walls. Except its not a vine, its a jalapeno plant. It looks nothing like a vine, and is supported by a pole that is a good foot away from any wall.

Also, the way we find out about complaints are via phone call, from my fiancee's parents who own the place. Oh, but they hear about them from my fiancee's grandparents, who dont own the place, but for some reason receive our complaint notices.

The greatest part about it is that we've received enough invalid complaints that no one takes them seriously anymore, so we just shrug them off until they try and press a fine, in which we go to the meeting, make them look the fool, and essentially tell them to STFU!.

Its apparent that the Housing Association President has a disliking for us, and I guess that stems from my fiancee's previous roommates, who havent lived here for over 3 years. Now its just me and my fiancee, we thought maybe they'd loosen up, but nope. Meh, like I said, no one takes them seriously anymore.

Gard · #5 05-23-2011, 04:45 PM

These are all reasons I absolutely refuse to consider living in a development with an HOA. Ever.

My wife and I were looking for lots to build on recently, and I shut down 3 very beautiful choices because they were in HOA neighborhoods.

It's MY property, as long as I maintain my stuff, leave me the (*&^)*(^ alone, busybody @$$holes....

Thankfully, we found a beautiful, almost 3 acre treed lot in a development that has no HOA, but is beautiful, thus refuting the BS logic that an HOA keeps a neighborhood clean and keeps the property values up. It just gives retirees and stay-at-home-housewives with nothing better to do a way to irritate their neighbors.

MatticusMania · #6 05-23-2011, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

leave me the (*&^)*(^ alone, busybody @$$holes....

Thats exactly who the complainers are, too! I know that its not the neighbors to either side of me, theyre both very nice people. And amongst the other residents in the condo complex I seem to be on friendly terms with. Its the Association President, who takes her title far too seriously, going around with a clipboard, looking over into peoples patios, for anything to complain about. The day of the Lakers championship game, she was outside with her clipboard, taking note of people who were making too much noise. Freakin ridiculous!

TheSuzie · #7 05-23-2011, 04:53 PM

No, I believe I am being judged by my car, clothes and the fact that I have been homeless.

One example: I had this item (pic grabbed form the web) on the back patio near the house, a canvas bag that contains a camp cot. In my case the bag is brand new, unwrinkled, still rectangular, unstained and similar to many bags used to hold outdoor umbrellas, chairs etc. It is also pretty small maybe 2'x4"x4". I just put it out there to air out a bit.

Somehow in the complaint, this item became a "sleeping roll" which I think is meant to carry a certain connotation. Also all the neighbors were informed about my arrival as was the block captain. Still, somehow the reports are worded as if a random person is squatting here and maybe the police should be informed.

S

MatticusMania · #8 05-23-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSuzie

No, I believe I am being judged by my car, clothes and the fact that I have been homeless.

One example: I had this item (pic grabbed form the web) on the back patio near the house, a canvas bag that contains a camp cot. In my case the bag is brand new, unwrinkled, still rectangular, unstained and similar to many bags used to hold outdoor umbrellas, chairs etc. It is also pretty small maybe 2'x4"x4". I just put it out there to air out a bit.

Somehow in the complaint, this item became a "sleeping roll" which I think is meant to carry a certain connotation. Also all the neighbors were informed about my arrival as was the block captain. Still, somehow the reports are worded as if a random person is squatting here and maybe the police should be informed.

S

You know what you should really do? It might piss the association off a little bit, but will also make them look like the a**holes they are. If you know who the association President is, go knock on their door. Explain to them that you are house-sitting for your friend while she is away, and that youve received a few complaints you would like to clear up. Remail civil. And just leave it at that.

TheSuzie · #9 05-23-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

You know what you should really do? It might piss the association off a little bit, but will also make them look like the a**holes they are. If you know who the association President is, go knock on their door. Explain to them that you are house-sitting for your friend while she is away, and that youve received a few complaints you would like to clear up. Remail civil. And just leave it at that.

Since my friends have to come back and live with these people, I feel I should keep them in the loop before I take any action. I will remedy all the real problems and then wait to see if there are any more complaints before I do anything else.

MatticusMania · #10 05-23-2011, 05:10 PM

Talking to your friends, who are the actual tennants, would be a good idea. Maybe they are aware of the HOA filing previous false complaints against them as well?

I find it funny that these same people tend to find themselves above the HOA rules. Our neighbor received a complaint because they had a couch & TV, along with one car, in their 2 car garage. My fiancee, while living with different roommates, got a complaint for having a pool table in the garage. The HOA Pres. says that garage's are not for recreational activities and that no one is allowed to have their garage door open for more than 15 min. at a time. Yet, just this weekend, the Pres. and another lady on the HOA board had their garage doors open all day as they had a garage sale...

fourstringdrums · #11 05-23-2011, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

The HOA Pres. says that garage's are not for recreational activities and that no one is allowed to have their garage door open for more than 15 min. at a time. Yet, just this weekend, the Pres. and another lady on the HOA board had their garage doors open all day as they had a garage sale...

You're kidding? I hope to god I never only have the option of an HOA if that's what I'd have to deal with. I'm torn on a Condo/Townhouse or a home within the next 5 years, and now even more so I want a house.

What can the HOA do though in certain situations? Certainly you can't be kicked out because of what you do in your own home?

MatticusMania · #12 05-23-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringdrums

What can the HOA do though in certain situations? Certainly you can't be kicked out because of what you do in your own home?

All they can do is fine you for noncompliance, I believe. The TV thing I mentioned earlier, we had received 2 notices, I guess. I wouldnt know as they dont come to our house, but rather the owners. The tried to charge us $60 since that was the cost of having said TV removed from the garbage area. We went to the meeting with the owner, my father in law, and told them 'nope, wasnt us'. Everyone voted to overturn the charge and the president was visibly mad about it. The other board members all seem pretty nice actually.

MatticusMania · #13 05-23-2011, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandmangeck

beggers can't be choosers.

I am perplexed by this comment in the context of this thread. Who here is the beggar, and what choice are they not allowed to choose?

TheSuzie · #14 05-23-2011, 05:30 PM

I believe I am the beggar since I am a guest.

Folks here actually run craft & woodworking shops in their attached garages. I don't know if that is allowed or if a lot of folks are breaking the rules.

**jmattbassplaya** · #15 05-23-2011, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Talking to your friends, who are the actual tennants, would be a good idea. Maybe they are aware of the HOA filing previous false complaints against them as well?

I find it funny that these same people tend to find themselves above the HOA rules. Our neighbor received a complaint because they had a couch & TV, along with one car, in their 2 car garage. My fiancee, while living with different roommates, got a complaint for having a pool table in the garage. The HOA Pres. says that garage's are not for recreational activities and that no one is allowed to have their garage door open for more than 15 min. at a time. Yet, just this weekend, the Pres. and another lady on the HOA board had their garage doors open all day as they had a garage sale...

So have you filled a report on them? (assuming you can) I'd hand deliver their fine myself and give them a stern talk about following their own rules if they wish to continue enforcing them on others.

That, or I'd **** on their doorstep. Either way would get the point across, methinks.

sandmangeck · #16 05-23-2011, 05:47 PM

Yea, I know. Didn't make much sense. What does homophobia have to do with anything?

TheSuzie · #17 05-23-2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandmangeck

What does homophobia have to do with anything?

I said it was possible. It means a lot when you are me. I cannot go *anywhere* around these parts without someone or other giving me trouble.

S

fourstringdrums · #18 05-23-2011, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSuzie

I said it was possible. It means a lot when you are me. I cannot go *anywhere* around these parts without someone or other giving me trouble.

S

I've always been curious about when this happens. Is it how you look that "tips people off", or are you talking about when you're in public with another person?

I've never understood how unless someone was flaunting it anyone would even know.

sandmangeck · #19 05-23-2011, 06:06 PM

I think OP is just an attention seeker.

Muddslide · #20 05-23-2011, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

...the Association President, who takes her title far too seriously, going around with a clipboard, looking over into peoples patios, for anything to complain about. The day of the Lakers championship game, she was outside with her clipboard, taking note of people who were making too much noise. Freakin ridiculous!

Good grief. The World of the HOA is a world I will never, never know. And I couldn't be happier about that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSuzie

I cannot go *anywhere* around these parts without someone or other giving me trouble.

You strike me as an interesting, thoughtful person. Of course, that doesn't mean a lot to some people if you don't drive a $70,000 car and belong to a country club.

Personally, I'd love to hear more of your story. I've been homeless myself a couple of times in my life, though only for a couple of weeks at a time. My family and I do move and travel around like gypsies though. We probably have a lot in common. (Maybe that's overly presumptuous of me...)