Thread: HOAs Rant.

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So my parents house (where we decorate and have our party) has been hit with a wave of annoying letters from their HOA. I know in the rules Halloween can only be set up from Oct 1st-Nov 3rd, but this year is going to be bigger than EVER.

I think the neighbor up at the end of the block hates us, and keeps reporting us for things like "a barking dog". My mom filled out the paperwork saying "I had a chat with my dog, and she'll try to keep the barking to a minimum"... I'm serious. It is a small dog that only barks when someone is in what she deems "her backyard"... Anything she can see from their backyard. She doesn't bark all the time, but she is very protective of her yard. Then they got reported for "Dead palm tree leaves"... Seriously, my dad had just trimmed the palm tree, and a frond that he thought was ok, decided to die... He went back out there the next day and cut it down, but they still got a letter about it and a "correction" form, asking how the problem has been corrected. Finally, they got a 3rd letter stating that our Jet Ski had been parked in the driveway for an excessive period of time... Apparently excessive is 48 hours, and we were out riding it at the bay for 12 hours of that time! We had picked it up from storage the night before, and returned it the following afternoon... I really hate HOA's.

What are these people going to think when I set up a full graveyard, 5 ft tall countdown clock, lights, pillars, and music? Why do some people feel like they need to report every little thing.

They even got a letter about the grass dying. HELLO. We live in SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA where there is a lvl 2 drought happening, and the grass can only be watered from 6am-10am 3 days a week for no more than 10 minutes total. seriously. My mom's response to that letter? "If they want my grass green, then they can come and water it with their own water, I'm not getting fined by the city because they don't like the color of my grass." What do they expect?

Ok. I'm done ranting about HOA's. Back to work. =)

Some people just enjoy being The Grinch. Its a sad fact of life. They can go swing... Dont let them ruin your fun.

That's insane.

Your parents neighbors sound like an absolute nightmare.

That's insane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm a member of my HOA and we're a really laid back bunch. It is extremely rare to have to send a notice out to anyone -- for anything! Our "regulations charter" is only about 20 pages long, so there's really not that much to inforce. Occasionally, we'll have to talk to someone about an abondoned vehicle, but that's it! (And when I say ABANDONDED, I mean it. We just met last week to discuss having a truck towed. It has been sitting on the side of the road for about 16 months, and has expired tabs.)

I joined our HOA last year because of my haunt. I didn't want people I didn't know telling me I couldn't do stuff in my own front yard. Turns out, everyone loves what I do each year and this year they're even advertising my yard haunt in the HOA flier!

My HOA sent out letters telling everyone to paint the gas pipes on their meters because there were some rusty spots showing. All of the gas meters are hidden behind bushes. I understand the problems with rusting gas pipes, but the letters said that the pipes looked "tacky"; no mention of any safety issues.

If I bought a house, I'd never buy one in my parents neighborhood. As nice as it is, it's not homeowner friendly at all. I'm pretty sure it's the lady who lives in the culdesac who reports them.... She told my dad not to park our RV in the cul-de-sac because she had company coming for the weekend and needed the space (mind you the RV was only going to be there overnight), and then NO ONE ever showed up to her house. She leaves notes on people's cars who park in the cul de sac asking them not to park there all the time. And she NEVER participates in halloween or Christmas. I really feel bad for her 2 kids. They aren't allowed out to play with the other kids in the neighborhood, and they aren't allowed to go TOTing.

I honestly feel like getting the gravestones and fencing out and setting it up now, except my mom said no... she's generally agreeable to any of my "crazy" ideas, but she said she wanted her yard mowed the weekend before Oct 1st.

Mandy, the house next to me is for sale!! Nice little three bedroom, two bath starter that backs up to the park. I'd be happy to have a fellow haunter as a neighbor. And like I said, I'm on my HOA, and they (we) are great and very laid back.

Eastside Living: Featured Home

It's been on the market for two months now, after being purchased at aution for $181,000. Before that, it was vacant for a year!!!

They just moved in a whole bunch of furniture last weekend to "stage" the place.

Originally Posted by Otaku

My HOA sent out letters telling everyone to paint the gas pipes on their meters because there were some rusty spots showing. All of the gas meters are hidden behind bushes. I understand the problems with rusting gas pipes, but the letters said that the pipes looked "tacky"; no mention of any safety issues.

Technically the gas company should replace them then. They replaced my meter for free.

My HOA is pretty cool as well as my neighbors. The neighborhood ranges between young people in their first place to seniors who are empty-nesters and needed a smaller place to live. I've had loud people over late and it's never been an issue (maybe the walls are just really good). Last year I had things on my balcony and a neighbor complimented it. Sounds like the neighbor is an *** and the HOA is just doing their job. Have they talked to the HOA rep and explained things. I would talk to someone rather than just deal with them through the letters.

Hoo boy.
One of the reasons we moved where we did was that there wasn't a HOA. I have a business in the house (an art studio - no drive up traffic, no signs, nothing to even indicate it was here) and 2 other neighborhoods told me I couldn't do it. They wouldn't hear an explanation - their response was "If we let you set up a business, we'll have to allow everyone to do the same, and the next thing you know, there'll be dentists setting up shop in the neighborhood."
God bless America, land of the free, and the pursuit of happiness - unless your happiness happens to be setting up large outdoor Halloween displays!
Remember, its easier to ask forgiveness then ask permission! Good luck on your decorating!

Originally Posted by TK421

Mandy, the house next to me is for sale!! Nice little three bedroom, two bath starter that backs up to the park. I'd be happy to have a fellow haunter as a neighbor. And like I said, I'm on my HOA, and they (we) are great and very laid back.

Eastside Living: Featured Home

It's been on the market for two months now, after being purchased at aution for $181,000. Before that, it was vacant for a year!!!

They just moved in a whole bunch of furniture last weekend to "stage" the place.

I hear people west of the Cascades don't tan, they rust.

I'm just saying...