It seems like anytime we send a Violation warning letter to a resident to inform them that they are in violation of the CC&R or other enforceable HOA rules, we often hear the same phrase, “But, I pay my dues!” Sometimes, they will include “on time” to bolster their position, apparently. We have even had a supplemental phrase of “I pay my taxes!”, although I am unsure what that has to do with HOA rules. We have even had someone tell Terry that their dues pay her salary, so they are her boss. Really??
So, perhaps we should revisit what your monthly, mandatory dues include:
- Utilities – Water, sewer, trash pickup
- Maintenance – Exterior painting of your home and trim, exterior woodwork (soffets, facia, gables and other wood areas, excluding entry doors), gutters, front faucet, storage building (excluding framing and doors), common area fences, sidewalks, roadways and a few other things detailed in our documents.
These are the main things your monthly dues cover but also includes payroll, grounds maintenance, landscaping, pool costs and maintenance, and picking up the exorbitant amount of trash people toss out around our 22 acres. We have one maintenance guy whose primary job is to pick up trash that inconsiderate individuals toss out all over the property; his salary is better utilized maintaining the 416 homes here, but we do have prevent the area from looking like a landfill. We also acknowledge and thank the homeowners who pick up trash from near their properties; we have others, mostly renters, who believe we are here to pick up after them, as if we were their Mom.
The homeowners are supposed to select the board, but not always the case. The homeowners dues pay the staff. Technically the homeowners are the employer.
Yet we need responsibility in leadership to do the modt good for the overall owners.
While this “employer” philosophy might be true to some extent, the Board operates the HOA according to the Bylaws and Texas laws.
However, by paying their dues, people can not do whatever they want. This is a deed restricted subdivision with a CC&R. Paying your dues doesn’t exempt you from the rules; that was the purpose of this post.
I agree the home owners are not permitted to do just whatever; thus the reason we have a board! I do attest to the fact the elected board is doing a job that is beneficial to the home owners.
However, when maintenance breaks, or creates a dysfunction, it should be tended immediately!
I wish we could wave a magic wand and fix everything that needs fixing, but that is a somewhat impractical view of reality. There was a part that needed to be replaced and it was. The time frame within which he fix things is not of your choosing, however. We have 416 homes to maintain and no one homeowner (or their daughter) gets priority over anyone else simply because they complain a lot. That is not fair to the rest of the homeowners, of which I am one.
I, personally, for what it is worth, support this parking decision the board has made as I have neighbors who have even been under the delusion that MY parking places under MY carport are up for grabs till I had to put my foot down. I find it selfish for someone to have not only their own 3+ cars but to bring in more that belong to someone else who does not reside with them or even on property. TY for the decision to finally enforce what should have been enforced all along.