HOA Help!

[taxguykarl]

To get back to the OP....
It is never to early or unreasonable to push back at an HOA--put them on notice that you will not roll over when they get unreasonable.

[Jester]

Around here, we call 911 for anything where we need police.

In our area, if you need police, you have to call 911 cuz that's how you get the dispatcher to send you someone.

Your area is unusual, then. In most places, 911 is considered an emergency line, and people are generally told to use it ONLY for emergencies.

If there is a legal charter and you weren't informed then the title company who did your settlement is ultimately at fault for not doing their due diligence in finding this information out. not bothering to tell you, hiding the information, or downright lying to you about it.

There, that looks better!

[LewisLegion]

911 in my area is also for regular police calls. I called the non-emergency line as well when my car was broken into and they told me to hang up and call 911.

From what I'm understanding so far, it looks like the fault is indeed with the title company. My realtor had me look over the packet they sent me at escrow to be sure that the CC&Rs weren't in there and indeed they are not. I should find out more today.

My neighbor was telling another woman (not sure if it was a neighbor or not) about my plan to put a fence up and apparently it cannot be "6 or 8 feet tall" which would be utterly pointless then. I don't want a decorative fence, I want one to contain my dogs...one of which can jump over anything shorter than six feet if she was of a mind.

So hopefully if I DO have to join the HOA they won't be dicks about a taller fence.

[Geek King]

My neighbor was telling another woman (not sure if it was a neighbor or not) about my plan to put a fence up and apparently it cannot be "6 or 8 feet tall" which would be utterly pointless then.

Am I wrong for instantly thinking, "7-foot tall fence then"?

[Gerrinson]

Am I wrong for instantly thinking, "7-foot tall fence then"?

Well, if you're wrong then so am I.

Or maybe a 9 footer?

[Rapscallion]

Am I wrong for instantly thinking, "7-foot tall fence then"?

Or maybe a 9 footer?

Both of you beat me to it.

Rapscallion

[Jester]

And people wonder why I rent!

Then again, considering some of my recent roommate woes, perhaps their wonder is well-justified.....

[telecom_goddess]

I've rented my whole life. Yeah it would be nice to own something (again NO hoa I want control of my own property) but I wouldn't want to own a house without a good amount of money to have available for whatever breaks down. At least with renting if something breaks it ain't my problem....someone else has to deal with it.

[Kyree]

So hopefully if I DO have to join the HOA they won't be dicks about a taller fence.

What do you mean IF? There is no way that they can make you join, stop even thinking it in the realm of possibilities.

[LewisLegion]

If it is a legal HOA registered with the state, as far as I understand, I LEGALLY have to join. It's against the law if I don't. I'm clarifying that with the real estate agent and attorney right now...but it is my understanding that I may not have a choice. Trust me, unless that's the case, I'm so not signing.

Forgot to add, I drove down the main drag last night on my way to drop my birds off at the house (normally I drive a side drag that leads right to my garage instead of on the main street...which is faster). I saw no less than six front yards fenced in, and only ONE had a fence that was less than six feet. So I'm thinking my neighbor is blowing smoke because she wants me to put a lower fence in instead of a higher one.

[poofy_puff]

I was thinking about this, and I bet the HOA is a bunch of people who wanted a playground for their kids and figured that calling it a HOA would be a splendid way of shaking down people who DON'T have kids to help subsidize the cost while at the same time affording busybodies the opportunity to stick their noses into everything everyone else does that is not confined to the inside of their dwelling.

If you "have" to join, you should push to have the dues waived, since you were not informed about this "extra expense" prior to closing. That would be like adding an extra $25 to your monthly mortgage payment just because someone thought about it after you signed papers and said "You know what, I'll just scribble it out and write this other amount, contract be damned".

[LewisLegion]

Well, if it turns out the title company IS in fact the one that dropped the ball, and if I DO in fact 'have' to sign, I plan on telling the title company that either THEY pay my HOA fees or else they hash it out with the HOA that I don't have to pay the fees. Because yes. Finances are tight enough as it is. I don't need an extra 25 I wasn't planning on sucking out of my pocket right now.

[TheSHAD0W]

Well, if it turns out the title company IS in fact the one that dropped the ball, and if I DO in fact 'have' to sign, I plan on telling the title company that either THEY pay my HOA fees or else they hash it out with the HOA that I don't have to pay the fees.

If you've gotten a title insurance policy, then the title company is indeed responsible for determining whether you're under the burden of a HOA. You may be due a significant settlement, more than a few years of fees worth.

[LewisLegion]

I do believe I have a title insurance policy. Wouldn't that be nice?

[Seshat]

make damn sure there are no liens on your property now for any back-fees that were due and not paid for

That should also have been determined during the title search.

If it wasn't, then the title search company was negligent twice over. Once for the HOA (if it's actually real), and once for the lien.