What's With All The HOAs in Austin?

[jwb123]

Well, I don't love my HOA either - but for different reasons. Anyway - I just tried to post a link to our rules, but they just went to some crazy website system where only residents have access to anything perceived as useful. The public page is a waste. Yet another stupid Board decision...

I can tell you though, I am 100% sure that there are no rules which give our board the right to access your property, and remove personal items for disposal.

We have a pool. We use that pool. We also use towels in conjunction with the pool use. Sometimes we even leave a towel out to dry after using our pool. Today, we were out on the lake - and I think there are towels out there right now. I find it's better for my energy bill, my towels and the environment to let them air dry in the sun. I'll remove them in the morning but I sure can hear the value of the neighborhood dropping as I type!

[OntheMoveAGAIN]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

Well, I don't love my HOA either - but for different reasons. Anyway - I just tried to post a link to our rules, but they just went to some crazy website system where only residents have access to anything perceived as useful. The public page is a waste. Yet another stupid Board decision...

I can tell you though, I am 100% sure that there are no rules which give our board the right to access your property, and remove personal items for disposal.

We have a pool. We use that pool. We also use towels in conjunction with the pool use. Sometimes we even leave a towel out to dry after using our pool. Today, we were out on the lake - and I think there are towels out there right now. I find it's better for my energy bill, my towels and the environment to let them air dry in the sun. I'll remove them in the morning but I sure can hear the value of the neighborhood dropping as I type!

You are too funny! I love the way you type/talk! Youa re a natural!

[valpoguy]

Originally Posted by aakridge

I've never seen so many HOAs. Granted, I'm pretty young, but MAN! I have found some homes in Round Rock that aren't HOA, but there are way more HOA homes than not? Is my observation incorrect?

Round Rock isn't Austin! Most of the hipper / less yuppie neighborhoods in the city of Austin itself do not have HOAs.

[austin-steve]

I read somewhere (here?) of an HOA that required people to pull their cars into the garage at night. I have not found anything like that since we started looking. Have any of you experienced or heard of such a thing?

River Place requires that all cars be parked in the garage. A waiver can be obtained, per the rules below which can be viewed at
River Place Homeowners Association » HOA Documents by clicking the form "Information regarding vehicle decals"

Riverplace is a nice neighborhood but I personally bristle at the level of enforcement and rules imposed there, particularly the parking. I couldn't live there.

It's important for all buyers and renters to read ALL of the HOA rules before buying or renting a home in any subdivision that has HOA rules. Most even limit the number and type and weight of pets you can own. Many restrict the color you can paint your house and the type of landscaping you can have, etc. All for the "greater good".

I don't think HOA's are "evil", but people should not complain after moving in to an area if they didn't take time to read the rules before deciding to live there.

INFORMATION REGARDING VEHICLE DECALS FOR RIVER PLACE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC.

In an effort to keep River Place an attractive place to live, it's important that we all abide by the deed restrictions. One of those restrictions, Section 4.19, requires that our vehicles be parked in the garage, not in the driveway or in the street. Keeping cars in the garage will help keep our neighborhood from looking cluttered and will increase the curb appeal of all properties.

We have now developed a system for handling situations where homeowners have more vehicles than their garage will accommodate. If your family has more vehicles than garage space, you may now request a waiver by providing the following information to River Place Residential Community Association, Inc. c/o Certified Management, 2127 West Parmer Lane,Austin, Texas 78727.
Please Provide:
A. Copy of current registration or title for each vehicle to be kept on property (this does not apply to guest or visitors).
B. The year; make; color; and license plate number of each vehicle to be kept on property (this does not apply to guest or visitors).

Only vehicles registered to a River Place address will be considered for waivers. A copy of the registration of the vehicle is needed to prove registration of vehicle to River Place address.

Also, enclose a check or money order for $10 payable to River Place Residential Community Association, Inc. to cover the cost of the stickers, handling, and mailing (the total charge is $10, not $10 per sticker).

If approved, a sticker will be issued which should be affixed to the lower left corner of the back window of each vehicle belonging to the homeowner requesting the waiver. The sticker will have a number which states how many vehicles are authorized to be parked in the driveway.

For example, if a homeowner has a two-car garage, but three cars, he would receive a sticker with a "1" on it for each vehicle. That "1" permits any one of those three vehicles to be parked in the driveway at any time. the other two should be parked in the garage at all times. Since each vehicle at that address will have a sticker with a "1" on it, it does not matter which vehicle is parked in the driveway. If a vehicle is repeatedly observed in the driveway or street without a proper sticker, the homeowner will be subject to a warning and, if the violation is repeated, a fine.

Obviously, this will not apply to bona fide visitors. Waivers will not be granted because garages are being used for storage, work areas, hobby areas, animal shelters, or any other non-vehicle use. Also, waivers will not be granted because boats are parked in the garage. So start cleaning those garages now, if necessary, and make sure your vehicles can be parked inside.

Violations of Section 4.19 will result in one warning and then subsequent fines. Please be courteous to your neighbors by keeping your cars inside the garage where they belong rather than out in the driveway or the street. With everyone's cooperation, we can keep River Place looking clean and beautiful.