Ugh! If I had a choice, I would never buy a property with an HOA (Home Owners' Association) again!
My HOA was not too bad, until a different management company was hired a year ago (because our funds at the old company was stolen or something). The new management company is just the worst company I have ever dealt with.
They didn't send out any notification about transitioning the payment account, and just sent a booklet of payment coupons with no identification. I had to guess that was the HOA dues.
Then they posted one of my payments to a neighbor's account, which caused delinquency on my account. I called and emailed multiple times, but the company never responded. I was hit with 2 late fees and a threatening letter to refer me to the collecting agency. I threatened them back by leaving two messages about reporting them to the Better Business Bureau for their non-responsiveness, and the owner finally got back to me and resolve the issue.
Recently I found out their automatic payment system over-withdrew money from my bank account. Again I called and emailed multiple times to get a refund, and there is no response. I was going to propose that our HOA hire a different management company in the next residents' meeting, but I missed it. The "next" meeting was 9/22 and they didn't send out the meeting notice until the morning of 9/22!
I am so fed up with this stupid company!
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Comments: 24
I have friends and family with nightmare stories concerning their HOA's and I will spend the rest of my life avoiding them like the plague.
I hope everything gets worked out for you, and the company gets it's stuff together.
Years ago, I worked for a developer and actually was the one who organized HOAs all over Houston. There are good reasons for them. In Houston, for instance, they don't have zoning laws in much of the county. Without the HOAs, you could have a house next to a mobile home next to a store, which they do have in Houston where there are no HOAs.
They're also necessary for keeping the amenities going - pools, street lights, common areas.
If you're displeased about the way the management company is going, you really do need to get involved. If your area is fully developed and the builder and developer don't have an interest in the HOA anymore, you could even choose not to have a management company (which saves money), if you could trust the HOA officers to run things. I would suggest getting yourself on some committees so that you know when meetings are held and what's being proposed.
you should not have to pay for their mistakes... good luck...
the more i hear about HOAs, the more i'm glad i don't have one...
Hope your situation works out!
I never have and never will live in a community with an HOA. I prefer not to live in suburbia anyway, but because I have lived outside of towns and cities all my life I couldn't imagine having to live by the strict rules HOA impose. Having been a builder for a good part of my life, I have seen first hand how restrictive it can be, and that's not for me.
I may not like my neighbors purple house (I actually lived in a small town who's wealthiest citizen DID) but it is their right, and I would not impose my ideals on them.
Good luck.
I would never, ever live with one. None of the areas I've ever lived had needed anyone other than the city to enforce codes.
Anything else...cars parked in the front lawn, weedy lots, green pools...that's already covered by a city ordinance and I'll just call and get them to issue a citation. Otherwise enjoy your property and I'll enjoy mine.