Our homeowner's assocation has lost it

[skydivermom 0]

Hopefully this will not get moved to SC.

We pay $144 a year to our homeowner's association. The only thing we've ever gotten from them are letters telling us to move our trashcans, or some other stupid crap. Yesterday, there was a flier on my door that almost made me choke! Our homeowner's association asking for volunteers to clean the storm drains in our neighborhood on Saturday morning. ARE YOU KIDDING ME! What are we paying for?

We are moving in May but I would still like to write a letter to them. I think it's appalling and ridiculous that they take our money and ask us to give our time and effort to something THEY should be taking care of. I thought about writing in the letter that we have no time to help them because we're too busy keeping up our yard so we won't get any letters! What do you all think we should include in our letter to this wonderful organization?

BTW, I'm not ani-homeowner's association when it works the way it's supposed to

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[NWFlyer 2]

Do you have any documentation / budget that outlines what services the homeowners' association provides and what they don't provide? I would start with that, then point out where they aren't providing those services.

I'm not sure I'd pay into a HOA if I didn't know how that money was being used. My HOA has an agreement and a budget, and anything that falls outside of the budget we discuss as a group before any decisions are made. Granted, there's only four units, so it's really easy to get us all together and make decisions, but still...

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[skydivermom 0]

***Do you have any documentation / budget that outlines what services the homeowners' association provides and what they don't provide? I would start with that, then point out where they aren't providing those services.

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In our deed, it states the association is supposed to take care of the common areas in the neighborhood. It does not specify in detail exactly what jobs they are supposed to do. I don't know whose responsibility the storm drains are (the city's or theirs) but I know they are not ours.

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[simplyputsi 0]

You did say "volunteers", so just don't volunteer. I'm not so sure that falls under HOA responsibilities anyway. Storm drains are under city management usually.
I wish I only paid $144 a year.

Skymama's #2 stalker -

[2fat2fly 0]

Let 'em have it. We own a lot in a neighborhood and the HOA there is nuts. They've asked for money to repave the "clubhouse" parking lot-it doesn't need it and the clubhouse is a joke-I wouldn't use it. I voted against it and told them that if they did faciluty improvements, I'd support but the lot is in good shape and just a waste of funds. In our case the HOA is run by a few retirees that don't have anything to do so they like to keep busy projects going-I'll not fund your boredom!

I am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried

[turtlespeed 226]

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What do you all think we should include in our letter to this wonderful organization?

Perhaps you should ask for a detailed list of the expendatures incurred by this wonderful organization - then politely explain that noone should be available to allocate the time as they are too busy trying to supplement their income to afford the associations fees, which, is an exasperating excercise in futility, because the association ultimately does nothing beneficial to or for the community in which it is supposed to serve.

But that is just my opinion.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[JENNR8R 0]

Our homeowner's association asking for volunteers to clean the storm drains in our neighborhood on Saturday morning. ARE YOU KIDDING ME! What are we paying for?

What do you all think we should include in our letter to this wonderful organization?

[briguy 0]

i live in a townhome and pay $144 a month. this covers things like lawn maintenance, snow removal, cleaning of common hallways.

i would not move into a single family home in a neighborhood with a home owners association.

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[skydivermom 0]

***I wish I only paid $144 a year.

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Do you live in a thirty-year old house? My in-laws live in an uppercrust neighborhood and pay only $76 a year! They actually see their money being put to good use. I wouldn't mind paying $144 a year if we got something out of it...but it's a little unnerving to shell out that money and get NOTHING for it accept a letter asking for me to volunteer my time. Yes, they did say "volunteer", that's the point. They don't do anything for us and we PAY them...so it's awfully nervy to ask us to do something for FREE.

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[DJL 235]

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I don't know whose responsibility the storm drains are (the city's or theirs) but I know they are not ours.

The city is only responsible for them up to the functional level. What your HOA is asking for is above and beyond that. Since they're responsible for common areas, then they need take care of that themselves.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[skydivermom 0]

I would be happy to thank them if they did anything for us. We moved here six years ago and my husband actually served on the board of directors. They have been promising new playground equipment since then and we haven't seen it yet. I really wouldn't mind them asking for volunteers if in the six years I've lived here I'd seen anything positive from them. My sister lives in CA and she loves their HOA....because it works the way it's supposed to

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[airtwardo 7]

We belong to several HOA's...some are better than others.

A house we have in the Denver area is always a
drama...it's in a 'nice' gated type community, and they don't like the idea of 'renters' in their midst, I'm constantly called about 'violations' real and imagined...

Got a call a year back because the HOA hadn't approved the color I'd had the house painted...
I told them, it's the same color as the HOA's Presidents home...he changes his..I'll get it repainted too...

Got a call a few weeks back because the renter we have, has 'advertising' on a 'commercial vehicle' parked in the drive...
It was a personal 4x4 pick-up...the 'advertising' was
the "Z-71" decals from the factory!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[DJL 235]

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$144 a month

That's way overpriced. How many dwellings? How much area. Your lawncare probably has all of his buddies hired as independent contractors and is raking it in...literally.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[JENNR8R 0]

I found the experience of being on the Board to be so unpleasant that one of the requirements of the house I moved into was that it be in a neighborhood without a HOA.

I hope you don't have a HOA where you are moving to. It's wonderful living without one.

What do you call a beautiful, sunny day that comes after two cloudy, rainy
ones? -- Monday.

[skydivermom 0]

***I hope you don't have a HOA where you are moving to. It's wonderful living without one.

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No way will we ever do that again! We're buying land and building. I'm sure not all HOA's are bad, but I believe they are few and far between...and no, my husband did not enjoy his experience on the board of directors either. I hate it when they give that BS about increasing the property value. When my husband was growing up, his neighborhood did not have an association and they had no problem keeping their property value up!

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[simplyputsi 0]

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***I wish I only paid $144 a year.

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Do you live in a thirty-year old house?

I live in a 20 year old condo. I pay 225 a month for fees and currently an extra 200 for assessment.

Skymama's #2 stalker -

[wmw999 2,589]

Houston doesn't have any zoning, so HOAs here do all the stuff that's normally done by a zoning board. Some are jerks, some aren't. But it is a thankless job, because no one wants to have someone else spending "their" money.

Right now our concrete fence is failing; it's been a problem they've worked for 10 years (the fence is 15-20 years old). It's a huge and unanticipated expense.

And HOA members don't get paid. All they get is crap. Not that I like being told I should get approval to paint my house the same color it is now (well, I'll admit I didn't). But someone has to make sure the playground equipment's maintained, the pool manned by trained lifeguards, the medians cut, the sidewalks and grass on the green belt maintained, the tennis court maintained, etc. etc. etc.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[ROK 0]

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***I hope you don't have a HOA where you are moving to. It's wonderful living without one.

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No way will we ever do that again! We're buying land and building. I'm sure not all HOA's are bad, but I believe they are few and far between...and no, my husband did not enjoy his experience on the board of directors either. I hate it when they give that BS about increasing the property value. When my husband was growing up, his neighborhood did not have an association and they had no problem keeping their property value up!

We had this debate recently with our association.

We have 50 lots/homes in our association. We maintain our own roads, the entrances, and the common areas. Our fees are $200.00 per year.

When a home is built, or a lot is purchased, there are restrictions- No chicken or hog farms, no dirt bikes, minimum 1800 sfla, etc. The association uses the monies to keep up the roadways, pay for insurance for the roadways and common areas, and to obtain the help of an attorney when needed. Everyone is provided with the financial numbers at the end of the year. They also make sure that everyone complies with the restrictions.

I swore that I would never live in a place with an association, but this one has worked very well. I got on the board to make sure that they don't go crazy.

It is a thankless job. You wouldn't believe what people try and get away with, or complain about.

I like the idea that the rednecks in my family can't pull a trailer up next door to me though

[skydivermom 0]

***I live in a 20 year old condo. I pay 225 a month for fees and currently an extra 200 for assessment.

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What do you get for your money though? If you get nothng, like we do, then you should be upset. As I stated in PREVIOUS POSTS, I wouldn't mind paying the money if we got something for it!!!! ....and I wouldn't even mind being asked to volunteer

....and I believe I also stated that not all HOA's are like mine!

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[skydivermom 0]

My husband did serve on the board for a while and no he didn't get paid, but we do PAY the homeowner's association! If we had the use of a pool and tennis courts and it was covered by our dues, I would feel like we were getting our money's worth

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[ROK 0]

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***I live in a 20 year old condo. I pay 225 a month for fees and currently an extra 200 for assessment.

__________________________________________________

What do you get for your money though? If you get nothng, like we do, then you should be upset. As I stated in PREVIOUS POSTS, I wouldn't mind paying the money if we got something for it!!!! ....and I wouldn't even mind being asked to volunteer

....and I believe I also stated that not all HOA's are like mine!

If you don't get anything for your money, get with the other homeowners and vote it out of existance. This can be done with a lot of associations, but there are some that don't alllow this. Depends on your contract.

[skydivermom 0]

***I like the idea that the rednecks in my family can't pull a trailer up next door to me though

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I'll take the trailer full of rednecks over the two crackhouses we live next to any day!

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[skydivermom 0]

***If you don't get anything for your money, get with the other homeowners and vote it out of existance. This can be done with a lot of associations, but there are some that don't alllow this. Depends on your contract.

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We did look into that, and this can't be done right now. I believe there is something about a contract? When it runs out if the neighborhood so choses, they can be booted out. We are moving in May though, and this won't be an issue.

Mrs. WaltAppel

All things work together for good to them that love God...Romans 8:28

[Remster 30]

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***I live in a 20 year old condo. I pay 225 a month for fees and currently an extra 200 for assessment.

__________________________________________________

What do you get for your money though? If you get nothng, like we do, then you should be upset. As I stated in PREVIOUS POSTS, I wouldn't mind paying the money if we got something for it!!!! ....and I wouldn't even mind being asked to volunteer

....and I believe I also stated that not all HOA's are like mine!

If you don't get anything for your money, get with the other homeowners and vote it out of existance. This can be done with a lot of associations, but there are some that don't alllow this. Depends on your contract.

If its a condo, it may have elevators. These things are way expensive to maintain.

Remster

[flyinghonu 0]

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***I wish I only paid $144 a year.

__________________________________________________
Do you live in a thirty-year old house?

I live in a 20 year old condo. I pay 225 a month for fees and currently an extra 200 for assessment.

Oh everyone on here complaining about the cost of HOA fees can cry me a freakin' river. Try buying a place in So Cal! We we're looking at condo in our price range (way below the $600,000+ median in the area) and had to drop the whole deal b/c the damn HOA fees were $385 a month and didn't include squat! Edited to add: AND those condos were built in 1976!

skydivermom: I'd say get a little more info. before you go off. It may be that the budget for your HOA is exhausted and even though this task is to be included in the HOA's responsibilities, they may be asking for volunteers so as to avoid RAISING your HOA fees to be able to provide a new budget that would cover the responsibilities the old HOA budget can no longer meet.

"Excuse me while I kiss the sky..." - Jimi Hendrix