Quote:
Originally Posted by IC_deLight
the management companies thrive on accusations of "noncompliance" and stirring up litigation.
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Post some evidence to back that up. The management company gets paid the same, whether there are 0 violations or 150. Fewer violations = less work, less contention, fewer people like you bashing HOAs in principle because they don't get it, and more time to focus on the positive.
Quote:
Originally Posted by IC_deLight
The management company worms its way into being the interface
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Management companies are contracted and paid to perform the business functions of the HOA, including being a liaison. Why? Because we enjoy it? Because we want to "worm" our way into your neighborhood drama? No, because the people on the board are unpaid volunteers trying to improve their neighborhoods. But it's extremely hard to do all the tasks they need to do when they are being harassed by the 1 to 2% of the neighbors who (in every neighborhood) hate the HOA no matter what.
Wait... what did I say? Neighbors harassing the HOA? But isn't the typical story on the news or in the mouths of neighbors that the poor homeowners are being picked on by the HOA? Well, that happens too, but MUCH more likely than you, a neighbor, being harassed by your HOA is that a board member on any HOA board, no matter his/ her intentions or good work will be harassed by at least one resident.
Usually, this is the person in the neighborhood who didn't read the covenants or just doesn't agree with them or believe in the concept and did something against them. Let's say he painted his house an unapproved color. So, before the paint is dry, several things start to happen:
1) The neighbors who see the guys out painting the house start calling board members, architectural committee members, and the management company to ask, "Wait... was that approved?" They say things like:
a) "It's too bright/ ugly/ gaudy!"
b) "I had to get approval... why didn't they?"
c) "Who are you idiots who approved this anyway?!"
Then the management company looks and sees that the person never did apply. The board directs that a letter reminding them of the rules they agreed to at purchase. Before the envelope hits the recycling bin, several more things start to happen:
a) The homeowner with the violation goes to neighbors, message boards, TV newscasters, etc. to say, "MY HOA IS PICKING ON ME!"
b) The homeowner and his new gang of supporters starts calling the board, management company, and architectural review committee to claim harassment based on the color of his house, his skin, his type of car, a party the board president didn't get invited to 10 years before, or any number of other things that didn't factor into the letter at all.
c) Board members and architectural committee members either:
i) attempt to explain that arc rules are there to protect the neighborhood, were created before any homes were built in the neighborhood, and you agreed to them at purchase (with the option to purchase in another HOA if you thought they were too strict or not purchase in an HOA at all if you disagreed with the restrictions in concept)
ii) ask the management company to do this, seeing as how the management company is paid and the poor volunteers being hounded are not
Either way, the group is unhappy, the news may get involved, and it seems that half the neighborhood feels one way and the other half feels the exact opposite. It's exhausting for them, and when they have to make that decision of what to do, they turn to the legal documents. That's the right decision, because everyone had notice of the documents before purchase and in many cases, the board doesn't have the right to go against them even they want to.
There's a lot going on in the background with your HOA, and believe me, they're not sitting around plotting evilly to ruin your life/ day/ home.
To anyone who has an issue with your HOA, I say to fist read your documents, then go to the board with an open mind asking, "What can we do to work this out?" Putting it that way will help the process and cause a lot more than the usual, "WHAT DO YOU #($*#* THINK YOU ARE DOING, YOU'D BETTER DO WHAT I SAY OR ELSE ______").
To all who don't have a problem with your HOA, or don't even have an HOA at all, but are fighting on behalf of your neighbor: Please realize you don't have the full story. Often, you're making the problem harder to solve rather than easier, despite your good intentions.
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