Homeowner Assoc in the SLC valley

[Elder_Shawn]

Originally Posted by silverfeather

Our fees don't cover water, trash, lawn care, etc. According to our CC&R's we shouldn't have to deal with all the issues you mentioned, but our HOA is incapable of enforcing our restrictions.
However, if a homeowner is influential, the HOA closes their eyes completely. We had a powerful homeowner that planted pumpkins in their front flower beds and the HOA refused to send them a letter, while others that attempted to meet requirements suffered the wrath of the HOA admin.
We pay big dollars to the company that contract to administer our HOA. All of the employees earn at least 1/3 more than the standard in the SLC valley. We have a party planner (with no previous experience) that makes 67K plus benefits and an office admin that makes $23 dollars an hour plus benefits.
In addition to our standard HOA fee, we have to pay an additional fee for exclusive internet service provided by Qwest. It's more expensive than DSL from ComCast and doesn't work near as well.

Our HOA is much smaller....like 16 units so that means 19% of the owners are on the board. People tend to be very compliant because we have regular emails and meetings to educate the folks on the rules. We do have renters where most of the problems stem.

[shanenlori]

I live in a neighborhood with and HOA, and like silverfeather, they are very inconsistent. I will never live in a neighborhood with an HOA again. The board is drunk with power and chooses to enforce the CC&R's with some, but not others.

[silverfeather]

Originally Posted by shanenlori

I live in a neighborhood with and HOA, and like silverfeather, they are very inconsistent. I will never live in a neighborhood with an HOA again. The board is drunk with power and chooses to enforce the CC&R's with some, but not others.

Originally Posted by shanenlori

I live in a neighborhood with and HOA, and like silverfeather, they are very inconsistent. I will never live in a neighborhood with an HOA again. The board is drunk with power and chooses to enforce the CC&R's with some, but not others.

I understand how some HOA's can go the direction that you mention Sanenlori. My former HOA was that way. I decided to become involved and became part of the board. It was painful dealing with folks that look for any opportunity to grasp a bit of power. However, I was able to lend a bit of sensibility to the process and help a few homeowners.
But that's off subject.

Our community has 1,000 homes and is projected to be 13,000 when complete. Our developer is a big time name that feels they don't have to answer to anyone, especially homeowners that have already put their money on the table. Every homeowner has a story about what they were told would be available before buying and what is reality after buying.

Our HOA is under the complete control of the developer until we have approximately 3500-4000 homes. At that time, one resident (woo hoo) can be elected to the board (still the minority vote). So we are doomed to be held hostage for some time.
Considering the company that contract to manage the HOA functions, I doubt they will improve managing the day to day business. Planning is so poor in the 15 months since living here, my dues have gone from $20 to $40 and increased another $3 for 2007. That doesn't include the $35 for the mandatory poor Qwest service.

I would choose to live in an HOA again. Just not one associated with Kennecott Land.

[DP525]

Silverfeather, check your private messages.

[silverfeather]

Originally Posted by DP525

Silverfeather, check your private messages.

Thanks DP525, appreciate your thoughts.

[Bridget]

I have lived in Utah my whole life (30 years) and never heard of an HOA with houses until my sister bought a place in Lehi. I personally wouldn't build with an HOA because I have not heard very good things about them. I do think part of it is because they are a newer idea with housing in Utah.