WWII vet battles homeowners group over flag issue

[Niels Bohr 72]

I think we need a Homeowner Associations Reform Law!

[slim 1,525]

I think if this old guy violates homeowners association rules, he should face the same penalties everyone else does.

If you don't like your HOA then either move out, or change it!

[Niels Bohr 72]

I think if this old guy violates homeowners association rules, he should face the same penalties everyone else does.

If you don't like your HOA then either move out, or change it!

Why can't we change the HOA rules?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

It is easy to get around the rules if you really work at it...For instance most areas have ordinances regarding walls/fences being no more then 4ft in the front...but often they never mention plant material heights. So if you put something like say bamboo in that grows to 12' you can basically come back and do whatever you want and they won't know behind your privacy screen until years later.

Edited December 4, 2009 by Sousuke

[Danno 1,228]

It is easy to get around the rules if you really work at it...For instance most areas have ordinances regarding walls/fences being no more then 4ft in the front...but often they never mention plant material heights. So if you put something like say bamboo in that grows to 12' you can basically come back and do whatever you want and they won't know behind your privacy screen until years later.

Well I wouldn't advise bamboo... once that ####### starts to grow there is no way to kill it, the roots just keep right on growing with new sprouts no matter whaT YOU do to it.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Interesting. The HOA is like living in a communism world.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Depends on the area and depends on the species of bamboo. Some species run even with the standard 2' root barrier others do not spread at all (or at pace that is very slow) (Running vs Clumping...)

Normally you'll be able to tell what won't work in your area by checking your regional invasive species list

Edited December 4, 2009 by Sousuke

[Danno 1,228]

Many people like the restrictions these HOA offer, if I were to make any change in the law concerning them it would be: Persons should be notifies of the Rules of the HOA before an "offer" is made on a property, disclosure at settlement is too late in the game.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I agree that HOA are sometimes a good thing...even beyond maintenance. Like for instance keeping a neighborhoods "sense of place". However it should be within reason and some of these laws are very invasive.

[slim 1,525]

Why can't we change the HOA rules?

Because a HOA is a private agreement between homeowners and usually can't be changed without approval or consent by those involved.

And anyway, why should we have the power to change HOAs? If a community wants to live a certain way (provided it's legal to do so) then why should anyone outside that community be allowed to change their previously-agreed-upon policies?

In the case of the OP, it's not like this guy didn't know the policy. He clearly violated it, even knowing full well what it was. If he didn't like it, he should've changed the policy first.

[Ban Hammer 13,349]

Interesting. The HOA is like living in a communism world.

and usually run by little hitlers.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Why can't we change the HOA rules?

Because a HOA is a private agreement between homeowners and usually can't be changed without approval or consent by those involved.

And anyway, why should we have the power to change HOAs? If a community wants to live a certain way (provided it's legal to do so) then why should anyone outside that community be allowed to change their previously-agreed-upon policies?

In the case of the OP, it's not like this guy didn't know the policy. He clearly violated it, even knowing full well what it was. If he didn't like it, he should've changed the policy first.

Or he takes the pole down, attaches it to the home so its taller and then puts a massive flag on top (thereby getting around the free standing rule).

Edited December 5, 2009 by Sousuke

[slim 1,525]

Interesting. The HOA is like living in a communism world.

and usually run by little hitlers.

Except for it's voluntary to live in a community with a HOA.

Or he takes the pole down, attaches it to the home so its taller and then puts a massive flag on top (thereby getting around the free standing rule).

Good call!

See, that's all I'm saying. I'm not saying I agree or disagree with the policy, but simply that the old war hero follow the policy.

Now, old folks have been known to be very crafty when it comes to "following" policies! Go get 'em old man!

[Ban Hammer 13,349]

Interesting. The HOA is like living in a communism world.

and usually run by little hitlers.

Except for it's voluntary to live in a community with a HOA.

all great, but usually one does not know how much of a hitler the hoa is until they live there.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

If the dude knew the policy, he needs to stfu or move out. Or join the HOA and make their lives hell