by:
JaMc OPNew Member
~ 9 years ago
Sep 21, '14 6:30pm
Does anyone know how to get HOA information and a copy of the by laws? Everything I was given at our closing is just the legal documents that establish the HOA. I would like to know what I'm paying dues for. Apparently parking on the road 24/7, leaving your trash can out all week, and mowing your yard once a quarter is all acceptable.
JaMc OPNew Member
~ 9 years ago
Sep 21, '14 6:48pm
Thank you for the info. I tried looking for a website and it doesn't appear to exist anymore. I also used to get monthly emails but that hasn't happen in several months now.
Yes, they used to have a website, but I guess no one is keeping it up. They also used to have a newsletter. I bought a new home there in 2003 and just sold it this past year. It used to be a really good neighborhood, now I just cringe when I drive through. I am sorry you are having problems. Remember, no neighborhood is perfect otherwise we would all live there.
There are only three board members, all of whom have full time jobs and families!!! Try attending a meeting sometime - the next one is this Thursday Sept 25 at 6:30pm at the new firehouse on Timber Forest between FM1960 and Atascocita Rd. There is only so much 3 people can do when there are over 900 homes in our HOA. CAM sends out letters every month regarding many issues with everything you mentioned, parking, trashcans, yard mowing, the list goes on but what you don't understand is our hands are tied regarding how far we can go. Getting the legal group involved is $135 a pop. What would be nice is if everyone would pay their yearly dues and we wouldn't be dealing with collections that are 5+ years old. The HOA had countless meetings regarding the big blue trashcans before they were finally delivered but only 3-4 people showed up to voice their concerns but once the cans were dropped off - the next meeting was crammed full of *****ing people!!! GET INVOLVED or sit on your hands and keep your mouth shut. It's a volunteer job! those members aren't paid to give up their personal time. It's sad to sit in there and see only the members up front with no input from the 900+ families that live there.
I love the trash cans! Makes it so easy and the community looks uniform and clean on trash day! Why would anyone complain about that! I think the Board does a great job, but would like to see the web-site re-activated!
They are trying to find someone to man the web-site but you already know that since you're one of the only homeowners that shows up and sometimes brings a beautiful lady with you! PS I love both of my pretty blue trashcans (I recycle) and manage to keep both inside my garage hidden from plain view.
JaMc OPNew Member
~ 9 years ago
Sep 24, '14 9:13am
I wish the HOA sent out a monthly news letter. My address has not changed in the past 5 years but I haven't received a letter since last November when due notifications were sent out. Thank you for the info about the meeting. I was informed of everything but the actual time from the CAM office. As for my complaints, the problem isn't with having a big blue trash can. The trash cans are a nice quality improvement. I do wish they wouldn't be left out all week. I also appreciate the No Soliciting signs even though they are slightly ineffective, but that is at no fault of the HOA. My biggest issue would be the vehicles parked in the roadway. I understand on weekends and when people have company that the road will have cars parked there. However, it is frustrating to have the roads bottle necked at the same spots by the same cars every day. If the restrictions aren't going to be enforced then why do we even need the HOA? Spend the money on the legal fees, place a couple of liens on some houses and I bet dues start getting paid. If it cost $135 for legal to bring $435 in dues then that is money well spent! Tow some vehicles, which according to the HOA restriction is at the owners expense, and I bet the roadways open up. Mail out some legal wording to the houses who's yards haven't been mowed in months and if a portion of those home owners take some initiative and clean their yard up, then it is progress. This neighborhood will slowly decline as other dues paying homeowners get frustrated and move away leaving it to a bankrupt HOA and 900+ homeowners who choose to keep their $435 a year because there is no benefit or consequence in paying or not paying.
Haven't read all of this, but how do homeowners get away with not paying HOA dues? I always thought the HOA could put a lien on/take your home eventually due to delinquent fees. So there are basically no consequences for refusing to pay as long as you feel like it?
Sounds like most of your issues are with CAM. Just keep calling and reporting things maybe something will get done.
As for the blue trash cans, it does make a difference. I know the South does not have them, but I don't understand why most people over there don't use trash cans at all. On trash days, most houses just pile their trash bags out by the curb.
JaMc OPNew Member
~ 9 years ago
Sep 24, '14 10:35am
With a well managed HOA you do not have an option of paying dues because your house will have a lien placed on it and you can eventually lose your home. I'm not necessarily wanting to see anyone lose their home I just want to see that the neighborhood stays nice and that the property values increase at the same rate as the surrounding area. My problem is indeed with CAM and the lack of enforcement of the restrictions. I would imagine that if all 900+ dues were being paid that a portion of that nearly $400,000.00 could be used to pay for a better management company and possibly even give the board a small compensation. And again, I like the blue trash cans.
@ JaMc., Please attend the meeting if you can. The board members can explain it better than I can. I've learned so much from them over the last two+ years I've been going to the meetings. The HOA/CAM is so limited as to what they can do. HOA dues vs liens on the property, do you have any idea how long that takes? They have to pretty much wait until the homeowners sells the home before they can collect. Everything you said makes sense but "hands are tied" to a certain point. Again, attend the meeting, ask questions it will be enlightening.