Category Archives: Uncategorized
TEXAS – HOA used satellites to spot violations
PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN) – A homeowner is up in arms after he says his neighborhood association crossed the line. The HOA even admits that a previous board used Google satellite technology to scope out violations. It happened in the Highland Park North Neighborhood in Pflugerville. When Gavin Henry purchased his home in Pflugerville there were several factors that weighed into his big decision. “One of the reasons why I purchased my home was because I didn’t have to buy a shed after buying the house,” he said. “It was already there.”
Gavin says he also liked the idea of living in a neighborhood with an HOA to help maintain the upkeep of the community. But three years after buying the property, the Henry’s received a letter from their homeowner’s association. “It said that they were doing an audit and they noticed I had a metal shed in my back yard and it wasn’t approved by my homeowners association,” Henry said. Gavin, who is a disabled veteran, told the HOA the shed was there before he bought the property and none of his neighbors had ever complained about it. Read more:
TEXAS – Details revealed surrounding Hideaway Lake community investigation
HIDEAWAY LAKE (KYTX) – The Hideaway Lake Homeowners’ Association meeting got off to an interesting start Thursday night. It appeared to be a homeowners’ board divided among a confused community. “This community needs to come together, not be separated,” said one board member. The main issue at hand is an investigation that was opened into the Hideaway Lake community at the end of July by the Smith County Sheriff’s office.
The affidavit states two board members met with investigators about concerns surrounding some Hideaway Lake employees. “I’m going to use the word alleged, that he had to pay off or give a kickback to a Hideaway employee in order to do business in Hideaway,” said Jerry Toon, board member. Read more:
TEXAS – Chalk drawing draws citation from HOA
BUDA, Texas (KXAN) – In many neighborhoods, playful, colorful sidewalk chalk art is a summertime staple. But in one Hays County neighborhood, parents are finding out their kids’ art isn’t a game. A homeowner in the Elm Grove Neighborhood was hit with a citation telling her to remove her children’s “chalk drawings” or risk paying a pretty hefty price. The notice from the homeowner’s association prompted her friends and neighbors to contact KXAN for answers.
Melissa McCrary moved into the Elm Grove neighborhood in Buda four years ago and says it was the kid-friendly atmosphere that drew her in. “We like it a lot,” she said. “There’s a lot of kids here which is pretty much the reason we moved here.” But she says she had no idea that her children’s drawing could draw in a citation. “I didn’t know that you could really get in trouble for that,” McCrary said. Read more: http://www.kxan.com/news/local/hays/chalk-drawing-draws-citation-from-hoa
TEXAS – Homeowners Claim HOA Board Mishandling Funds, Intimidating Residents
CALIFORNIA – CCHAL: File HOA Complaints with Attorney General
Then the place for homeowners to file a complaint about these – and other – violations of the California Corporations Code is with the California Attorney General’s Office.
The Division of Charitable Trusts of the Attorney General’s (AG’s) Office handles SPECIFIC complaints brought by association homeowners. The list of complaints it will process is at this link:
http://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/homeowner_assn
At this link there is also a list of complaints that the AG’s office does NOT take, e.g. complaints against property management companies, parking and towing issues,
or complaints about assessments. Do read the list carefully. Read more:
FLORIDA – Help Me Howard: Therapy Dog vs condo
Some people with a disability medication or constant doctors visits and some people find relief with a therapy dog. That’s what was helping one South Florida woman till her condo association said the dog had to go. And that’s when Help me Howard with Patrick Fraser stepped in.
NEVADA – HOA Gets $356,000 from FBI
In the grand scheme of the millions of dollars the Vistana homeowners association lost because of corrupt board members, $356,000 is not a lot of money to get back. But the HOA is happy to take it. “We’re ecstatic,” HOA President Lynn Williams said. “We hope this is the first of many recoveries.” The FBI, still knee-deep in its massive investigation into a valleywide scheme to take over Vistana and 10 other HOAs, returned the $356,000 last month. It was the first time in the long-running investigation, which began in November 2007, that any of the associations got money back. Read more:
NORTH CAROLINA – Homeowner, facing foreclosure, files lawsuit over HOA late fees
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A local family is now facing foreclosure after they racked up thousands of dollars in late homeowner association fees at their condominium. They call the charges illegal and plan to fight them in court. The owners of a condominium at the Charlotte House said they should not have been charged late fees over and over again. That’s why they have filed this lawsuit, pointing out even when they made some payments they were rejected. They also say the Home Owners Association and the management company violated their own bylaws. Read more:
NATIONAL – 3 Ways an HOA Can Kill a Deal
GEORGIA – Over A Hundred Come Out To Support Vet In Fight To Fly US Flag
Georgia – There was a moving show of patriotism at the Helton’s McDonough home, as one man’s fight to display an American flag sparked a massive rally for military veteran John Helton. “And this is what it is all about: the American flag and our freedom,” said one women who attended the rally. “Thank you so much. I love you,” Helton told her. “I love you too,” she replied. Moved by Helton’s plight, the American Legion riders reached out to the couple. Read more:
HOA Reform Coalition 