20.
“When I couldn’t find a home without an HOA and my agent couldn’t tell me why, I thought to myself, ‘How bad can living in an HOA be?’ Now, I know. I’m selling the home I bought less than a year ago to get my life back. I researched on my own after I bought this place to find out that the state I moved to has a law requiring ‘planned communities’ formed on or after January 1, 1999, with more than 20 lots to have an HOA. If there are 20 or fewer homes, then covenants are required. I never knew that any state had a law like this. I wish I had never moved here.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, what problems did you face with your HOA?”
“A few weeks after I closed, I hadn’t even moved in yet, and I got a violation notice for weeds on my lawn. I have looked through all of my paperwork and there is nothing in there stating that weeds can be a violation. My lawn care guys feel sorry for me. The owner of the company told me he loves HOAs because they keep him in business, but he would never live in one.
After the hurricane, the entire community received a letter from the property management company stating there were excessive weeds throughout the community along with debris, which needed to be immediately remedied. There was just a hurricane. Of course, there’s debris.
Then, they sent a letter to all homeowners stating that since homes are getting older in the community, they will be noting which homes will require trim painted, power washing, or new roofs with 90 days to comply.
I can’t put my trash out until after 7 p.m. Since I have a bad memory, I keep forgetting to take my trash out. I remember in the morning and again in the afternoon. Once 7 p.m. rolls around, it’s like my brain shuts off, and I don’t remember until the next morning. Trash is picked up around 6 a.m. the next morning. I forgot this week, and my trash can is full. But I have to wait until next week and try again.
I don’t want to live like this. Even renting is better. As long as you pay your rent on time, no one cares. I don’t feel like I own my home.
When I called my agent to tell him about my violation notice, he started laughing. And then, when I asked if he knew that the year before the HOA had foreclosed on one of their neighbor’s homes, he didn’t say ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ he said, ‘That doesn’t surprise me.'”
