[NSFW] Mid-A Epic Random-ness: Third Encounter
No matter what HOA documents say they do NOT ever have the right to encroach on the rights to your personal property.
Im guessing you live in a condo since you don't really see that type of guideline anywhere else. In terms of condos this can get sticky. The question is going to be whether the "windows" (doors are usually included) are condo property or yours. If they are the condos property then you have no choice...if they are your property and you're responsible for them then you have every right to do as you wish with them (especially because it's within the confines of your unit)....then comes the question of is it financially worth it to you.
There was a case recently here in VA (River Creek is the actual neighborhood) where a rather wealthy homeowner fought and won to have (keep, since he already installed it) a basketball hoop on his property adjacent to his driveway. This cost the HOA roughly $60,000 and then they had to pay his fees...
This happens over fences all the time. In the end it's a battle of the biggest "*****" or really...pockets. HOA's will weigh the same costs that you will. The difference is that their financials are public information and you will know whether they can afford the fight or not. Most can't and if they decide to...well thats going to directly affect your fees as fighting the court battle will almost always have to come out of the communities "reserve funds" which are meant for replacement and maintenance of things in the community.
In the end the fight hurts the entire community but some HOA's (reallly the people on them) get on these power trips with a false feeling of authority over rights to persoanl property. In the end....they have none, legally, as it is exactly as the name states...PERSONAL property.
Im guessing you live in a condo since you don't really see that type of guideline anywhere else. In terms of condos this can get sticky. The question is going to be whether the "windows" (doors are usually included) are condo property or yours. If they are the condos property then you have no choice...if they are your property and you're responsible for them then you have every right to do as you wish with them (especially because it's within the confines of your unit)....then comes the question of is it financially worth it to you.
There was a case recently here in VA (River Creek is the actual neighborhood) where a rather wealthy homeowner fought and won to have (keep, since he already installed it) a basketball hoop on his property adjacent to his driveway. This cost the HOA roughly $60,000 and then they had to pay his fees...
This happens over fences all the time. In the end it's a battle of the biggest "*****" or really...pockets. HOA's will weigh the same costs that you will. The difference is that their financials are public information and you will know whether they can afford the fight or not. Most can't and if they decide to...well thats going to directly affect your fees as fighting the court battle will almost always have to come out of the communities "reserve funds" which are meant for replacement and maintenance of things in the community.
In the end the fight hurts the entire community but some HOA's (reallly the people on them) get on these power trips with a false feeling of authority over rights to persoanl property. In the end....they have none, legally, as it is exactly as the name states...PERSONAL property.
+1 Robbie
My parents case went all the way to Annapolis appeals (Ho Co initially they lost)
They ended up winning and the HOA, essentially the community, paid for my parents legal fees. It all lasted about 15 months.
My parents case went all the way to Annapolis appeals (Ho Co initially they lost)
They ended up winning and the HOA, essentially the community, paid for my parents legal fees. It all lasted about 15 months.
I hate HOAs, I don't like the idea of someone telling me what to do with my stuff. I mean I pay for it, what gives them the right to decide anything. If you want to live in a nicer area where ghetto people cant afford to live there then that's basically your HOA built into your house. Yes they give you certain services but eh, rather just take care of it myself.
The problem lies in the people in the community not the HOA itself as the officers on the board are elected by the community (typically on a yearly basis). Outside of zoning and other jurisdictional ordinances (that can very from town to town) no one can tell you what you can and can't do with your personal property. HOA's are only supposed to manage the community property and maintain or improve that with your funds (your HOA fees). At no point has anyone ever given them the authority to govern your personal property.
Where they get people is they hang their hats on the likely hood that you will never "fight the fight" and they intend to bully you in to their "guidelines". Unfortunately it's pretty rare that people are willing to "risk" X amount on legal fees that will probably easily double any normal home improvement cost that would "require HOA Approval". So is it worth it? If you know you're right...yeah it is otherwise these people will continue to do it. By the nature of my profession I just think it's ridiculous what some of these people think they can do and wish more would stand up to it.
There are ways you can go about getting your way without going through the cost but it's not 100% and usually that involves a legal "come back to reality" conversation with the board members and their counsel (who they're more apt to take reasonable advice from). The unknown is if their "counsel" is as crazy and unreasonable as they are...which is more often than you think.
Condos are a whole different animal as typically you have "shares" in the "limited common elements" of the property which can include doors, windows, piping, fixtures, walls, etc.
I will never live in a condo...ever.
Where they get people is they hang their hats on the likely hood that you will never "fight the fight" and they intend to bully you in to their "guidelines". Unfortunately it's pretty rare that people are willing to "risk" X amount on legal fees that will probably easily double any normal home improvement cost that would "require HOA Approval". So is it worth it? If you know you're right...yeah it is otherwise these people will continue to do it. By the nature of my profession I just think it's ridiculous what some of these people think they can do and wish more would stand up to it.
There are ways you can go about getting your way without going through the cost but it's not 100% and usually that involves a legal "come back to reality" conversation with the board members and their counsel (who they're more apt to take reasonable advice from). The unknown is if their "counsel" is as crazy and unreasonable as they are...which is more often than you think.
Condos are a whole different animal as typically you have "shares" in the "limited common elements" of the property which can include doors, windows, piping, fixtures, walls, etc.
I will never live in a condo...ever.
Screw swapping rear ends when you can just add a shell.
People ***** about HOAs but its nice having doggy stations all around the neighborhood that are cleaned all the time, tot lots that are always 100%, flowers/trees getting planted/trimmed every few months to follow with the seasons.
One thing I've never heard someone ***** about was when we were hit with that massive snow years ago, we had plow trucks going damn near nonstop from the start til the end. Once the snow stopped our streets were already cleared. I remember it being weird because our streets were clear but the main roads took another 2 days to catch up in the local area.....
A good HOA run by caring not crazy members of the neighborhood is a great thing. Key is getting into a good one. I talked with neighbors of all the places I planned to put an offer down on, anytime people were weird with the HOA I skipped the house.
Sadly HOAs are like police officers, only takes one........
People ***** about HOAs but its nice having doggy stations all around the neighborhood that are cleaned all the time, tot lots that are always 100%, flowers/trees getting planted/trimmed every few months to follow with the seasons.
One thing I've never heard someone ***** about was when we were hit with that massive snow years ago, we had plow trucks going damn near nonstop from the start til the end. Once the snow stopped our streets were already cleared. I remember it being weird because our streets were clear but the main roads took another 2 days to catch up in the local area.....
A good HOA run by caring not crazy members of the neighborhood is a great thing. Key is getting into a good one. I talked with neighbors of all the places I planned to put an offer down on, anytime people were weird with the HOA I skipped the house.
Sadly HOAs are like police officers, only takes one........
Blue Moon comes in cans? Never seen that $hit
Shin nobody will swap with you because there are no boosted cars in the Mid-A who need a 3.3FD. They are all weak sauce fawking garbage cars with no times behind em.
Shin nobody will swap with you because there are no boosted cars in the Mid-A who need a 3.3FD. They are all weak sauce fawking garbage cars with no times behind em.
Yea neither had I. Found them at a beer and wine. He is the only one carrying them. Everywhere I ask say they don't make can. I always go to check and buy at least a 24 pack to hold it down.
Taste 10x better than bottle
Taste 10x better than bottle