Do you have problems with neighbours and Homeowner associations?

**osenator** · 12-20-2009,12:40 PM

I was watching on the net about Boney Island and was sad to see he retired due to neighbours complaints. Also, was watching a special about Chritsmas extreme decorators and also they were showing them having tons of problems due to neighbours, some even moving or going to court about it. I know in US, you have er.. I forgot the name, but they regulate the neighbourhood like a natzee regimes.. Homeowner associations I think they are called. We don't have thoses here in Canada... well, I don't think we have, I hope not.

Anyway, I am wondering if some of you ever had problems like that, if yes, how did you deal with it?

Here, if a neighbours has a problem, he calls the cops most of time or leave a nasty letter to you. Cops shows up, see if problems is real or not, if not, tell stupid neighbours to shut it and not use polive as a tool and to deal with it. If problem, will nicely ask the decorator if he can find a compramized. Police here are very cool most of the time, they know when a neighbours is just being an asshole or not. I know when I got a few nasty letters years ago, from an asshole neighbour, I went to see the neighbour and told him to shove it, and would call the cop for arrastment. That worked for me.

**savagehaunter** · 12-20-2009,01:05 PM

I did have a neighborhood that totally limited things. I moved so it is nolonger as issue.

**Scott N.** · 12-20-2009,02:48 PM

where I live the HOA regulates how long you can leave your decorations up.

**osenator** · 12-20-2009,03:32 PM

I must ask, how long they let you have?

on October 1st, we start already putting stuff!

**yardhauntjunkie** · 12-20-2009,03:59 PM

Well I have to say that I went to Boney Island the last year they did the big display. Their neighbors might have a valid point. Neighborhoods are not made to handle that many people. The streets in their neighborhood are not that big and with that many people crammed in their it gets kind of crazy. I am sure to a certain extent the neighbors are accommodating, but when something gets that popular and is open so long I could easily see how the neighbors would have their patience tested. I love Halloween and I think I have a pretty large display, but if I lived next to someone that drew those type of crowds I have to honestly say I might be a bit upset too. My favorite childhood Christmas display got so big that the city made him have crowd control and porta potties. The guy shut it down the next year and never did it again. Its sad, but sometimes things get too popular.

**Frankie's Girl** · 12-20-2009,04:15 PM

I live in a large neighborhood with an HOA.

I have NEVER had issues with them. They are very reasonable and don't abuse their power. I happen to think having a HOA is a good thing, but can be a bad thing if they become drunk with power and/or too involved.

We don't start putting out our display until mid October, but there are several others in the area that put things up starting at the end of September and just add to them. I believe that our HOA feels like as long as we're not doing something like leaving Halloween decor up until February, they're fine with it. I haven't looked up the exact restrictions on decorating for the holidays, since we don't tend to leave things up much past or start insanely early so it's never been an issue.

My neighbors have never complained about our display, and in fact I have many stop and ask when we're getting started, how we built something... etc. They have all been super nice.

**DaveintheGrave** · 12-20-2009,04:30 PM

I've never had any problems with my HOA. They even sometimes run a holiday decorating contest and award cash prizes. I won for Halloween yard last year (maybe this year too).
I think they limit to 30 days the duration you can keep the decorations out in the yard.
Plus, my wife has been a member of the board for tha last two years so that can't hurt either!