Neighborhood Associations

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by Steve
 The original 1954 HOA fell into disfunction and became insolvent in the 1970s.   I don't know about these legal matters, but on 12-31-53, the original plat of Lortondale was filed with the original restrictive covenants.  To my knowledge, these covenants have never been modified or changed by vote of the landowners, so as far as I am concerned as a 2008 Lortondale owner and resident, these original covenants are still in force today.

ok, that would have been my second guess.  Either way, your current organization has no where near the teeth the original one did.  and my comment still stands that your current org is really just more of a preservation society born out of a renewwed interest in 1950s architecture.

[TUalum0982]

quote:Originally posted by safetyguy

You should have received the covenant/HOA rules when you bought your house. You also should have paid at least a portion of the HOA dues at the closing.

I would contact your realtor to see if they can assist with locating the rules. If you built your house then you can contact the builder and they may be able to tell you.

We did pay the remaining portion of HOA dues at closing, and we did also receive the paperwork with all the rules, however while talking to my neighbors they were explaining figures for how much pool upkeep is, lawn maintanence, etc.  I was just wanting to see those figures, and it wasn't in my paperwork when we closed.

Inteller, we were very aware of the HOA dues as there is a neighborhood pool, playgrounds, walking trails, and a catch/release pond to fish at.  I was just wanting more information about the actual breakdown of where my 40 dollars a month was actually going.  They were saying how pool maintanence is broken down into each month, but if the pool is covered during the winter, who are we paying a fee to maintain the pool?? just simple questions like that.  Also 130,000 a year in landscaping costs is a little high in my opinion.  I am sure a few of my neighbors and I could do it for alot less money!!  

I am just trying to find out more tidbits like that, and the actual break down associated with each cost.  Guess I will go ahead and contact the builder/ sales exec and see what they say.

[inteller]

well, HOAs are who keep these huge landscaping/mowing companies in business.  If it were landscape maintenance for a place like Wind River I could easily see $130k a year.  i dont agree with the costs either, but unless you band together a bunch of disgruntled neighbors and vote in yourselves a place at the table, you just keep paying the $40 a month.

I've noticed that the dues people pay on these newer HOAs is just ridiculous.  Over at The Greens they pay $60 a month, and they don't have HALF the facilities of my neighborhood, which is only $350 a YEAR.

at this point the only thing you can do is go to the annual HOA meeting and be a dissenter on budget items that are way out of line.  once you wake enough people up and get them on your side, there will be more efficient spending of the HOA budget.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

quote:Originally posted by Steve
 The original 1954 HOA fell into disfunction and became insolvent in the 1970s.   I don't know about these legal matters, but on 12-31-53, the original plat of Lortondale was filed with the original restrictive covenants.  To my knowledge, these covenants have never been modified or changed by vote of the landowners, so as far as I am concerned as a 2008 Lortondale owner and resident, these original covenants are still in force today.

ok, that would have been my second guess.  Either way, your current organization has no where near the teeth the original one did.  and my comment still stands that your current org is really just more of a preservation society born out of a renewwed interest in 1950s architecture.

I can't argue that, because you are correct on that point.