RW1 (Texas)
Posts: 149
Posts: 149
Posted:
Let me first say I have been here once before while looking for sites to get advice on HOA issues and this seems to be the best one EVER. Advice from people who are "in the know"!
I am in Florida. My community is ~8 years old (incorporated in 1998) with 98 members (homes).
I have been a "member" since 2003.
It seems that there has never been an attempt to enforce the docs. here since the beginning. And what was done was probably unlawful due to the complete ignorance of the BODs of the past (and still today).
I believe there was a sense of community here due to its size and everyboby wanted to be friends.
Now the honeymoon is over and as many units were sold during the recent RE boom, now we have many folks either unaware of the gov. docs. or don't care.
Either way the BOD has really done nothing to correct issues other than 2 letters and hope for the best.
They claim they have no way to enforce the docs. since we do not have provisions for fining. This irritates me.
In one case a homeowner was even sent the [initial] letter from the lawyer requesting roof repairs and removal of loose tiles (within 30 days) about a year ago and the violation still exists today. There are still about 5-6 homes with roof damage (less than 10 tiles missing, etc.) and one, a board member, has even been granted Architectural changes such as paint and a large patio awning while the roof danmage still exists and visible from the front of the lot.
Another current BOD member (president) was denied the planting of palm trees in the common area behind their lot (prior to her becoming president) but they were planted anyway.
[IMO]The one thing a past BOD did correctly was iniating the approval of colors for house painting. A proper meeting was held to approve 5 initial wall colors as well as the two additional trim and front door color combos. They also forbid two houses with the same color combo side-by-side unless the second home flips the wall and trim color. This was properly recorded and distributed to the members. Amazing in light of what is happening now.
I was the second to paint my house but the first to use a different color, one of the 5 original combos.
After completion it was inspected and final approval granted. Since then, at least two other homes selected the same combo but did not paint the front door with the 3rd required color.
And yes, we have two homes with the same color combo side-by-side!
The board says the owners requested the color but started painting before the Request was processed and that the assoc. would have to pay to fix it.
I also feel the membership thinks nothing can be done either as there is little attendance at meetings. They don't realize how their property is dragged down as a result.
It is hard to convey 5 yrs. of similar Architectural control failures or other inaction by the current and past BODs in just one letter and this is already too long, sooooo...
After all that can someone advise on how to begin getting the BOD to do something. I have spoken up but with litle atendance the membership remains ignorant to what could be done.
Letters citing our docs. and Chapt 720 (FL HOAs) dont seem to faze our BOD.
Thanks in advance!!!
I am in Florida. My community is ~8 years old (incorporated in 1998) with 98 members (homes).
I have been a "member" since 2003.
It seems that there has never been an attempt to enforce the docs. here since the beginning. And what was done was probably unlawful due to the complete ignorance of the BODs of the past (and still today).
I believe there was a sense of community here due to its size and everyboby wanted to be friends.
Now the honeymoon is over and as many units were sold during the recent RE boom, now we have many folks either unaware of the gov. docs. or don't care.
Either way the BOD has really done nothing to correct issues other than 2 letters and hope for the best.
They claim they have no way to enforce the docs. since we do not have provisions for fining. This irritates me.
In one case a homeowner was even sent the [initial] letter from the lawyer requesting roof repairs and removal of loose tiles (within 30 days) about a year ago and the violation still exists today. There are still about 5-6 homes with roof damage (less than 10 tiles missing, etc.) and one, a board member, has even been granted Architectural changes such as paint and a large patio awning while the roof danmage still exists and visible from the front of the lot.
Another current BOD member (president) was denied the planting of palm trees in the common area behind their lot (prior to her becoming president) but they were planted anyway.
[IMO]The one thing a past BOD did correctly was iniating the approval of colors for house painting. A proper meeting was held to approve 5 initial wall colors as well as the two additional trim and front door color combos. They also forbid two houses with the same color combo side-by-side unless the second home flips the wall and trim color. This was properly recorded and distributed to the members. Amazing in light of what is happening now.
I was the second to paint my house but the first to use a different color, one of the 5 original combos.
After completion it was inspected and final approval granted. Since then, at least two other homes selected the same combo but did not paint the front door with the 3rd required color.
And yes, we have two homes with the same color combo side-by-side!
The board says the owners requested the color but started painting before the Request was processed and that the assoc. would have to pay to fix it.
I also feel the membership thinks nothing can be done either as there is little attendance at meetings. They don't realize how their property is dragged down as a result.
It is hard to convey 5 yrs. of similar Architectural control failures or other inaction by the current and past BODs in just one letter and this is already too long, sooooo...
After all that can someone advise on how to begin getting the BOD to do something. I have spoken up but with litle atendance the membership remains ignorant to what could be done.
Letters citing our docs. and Chapt 720 (FL HOAs) dont seem to faze our BOD.
Thanks in advance!!!
This is an excellent place to get your answers when dealing with your HOA. The majority of posters here are giving positive educational advice based on their own experiences. We like to keep things positive and in the direction of resolving issues. It's the best HOA site I've been to!