Repainting my home

Started by LucretiaF • 11 replies • 349 views

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LucretiaF (Nevada)
Posts: 1

Posted:

We wanting repaint our home same color, so I asked the manager if we could do that.
They said we have to get approval from our neighbors. Well, I read on line that if
we are painting same color we need no approval. Why is my HOA being such jerks??

Here what it said on line: Our rules say that any homeowner can re-paint their house the original color without approval. However, if a homeowner wants to change the color, they must submit the color samples to our 3-person design review committee.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

Why do you think they're being jerks? It helps to have something in writing in case something weird happens down the road - by having an official letter of approval, that can protect you in case the board tries to renege and say you didn't get permission or the color you used isn't EXACTLY the original color of your home. Just fill out the thing and turn it in - your house isn't going anywhere.

AS for the online stuff, is this from your community's website or somewhere else? If it's from another website of some sort, it doesn't matter what it says, only what your community says or not. Usually, you do have to get prior approval for exterior changes to your home - that's wheat you agreed to do when you purchased your unit.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

JohnT38 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,631

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By SheliaH on 05/31/2022 8:58 AM
Why do you think they're being jerks? It helps to have something in writing in case something weird happens down the road - by having an official letter of approval, that can protect you in case the board tries to renege and say you didn't get permission or the color you used isn't EXACTLY the original color of your home. Just fill out the thing and turn it in - your house isn't going anywhere.

AS for the online stuff, is this from your community's website or somewhere else? If it's from another website of some sort, it doesn't matter what it says, only what your community says or not. Usually, you do have to get prior approval for exterior changes to your home - that's wheat you agreed to do when you purchased your unit.

If the rule does in fact say you can repaint without approval if it is the same as the existing color then telling the OP to get their neighbors approval does sound like nonsense.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

It does seem like an unnecessary step, but this is HOA land, and nitpickers can be afoot, so I don't mind getting things in writing to prevent confusion. That's why we always suggested that homeowners give the board 45 days to process exterior change requests. When I was on the board we didn't get very many and would review them at the next meeting and the property manager had the approval letters out within two days or so. For even faster service, people could bring their applications to the next meeting and we'd vote it up or down at that meeting and follow up with the letter. The action would also be noted in the meeting minutes, and that helps all sides.

That said, it can be very useful to get things in writing, especially since some boards like to reverse things just because (I guess they don't have anything else to do), so at the vest least, shoot the property manager an email advising him or her what you're planning to do and provide a photo of the paint sample so they know you're complying with the rules. If they have an issue with it, you'll find out.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

LoriM15 (Florida)
Posts: 1,009

Posted:

Our community USED to allow people to repaint their homes the same color without permission from our architectural committee. However, we changed those rules a couple of years ago because the community has a color palette that does not include the original colors. You may want to make sure you are looking at a correct version of your rules. And it's always a good idea to get permission for anything you do just in case. I know that to you it doesn't make sense to have to get permission to paint your house. But if you live in an HOA you have to follow the rules, even if you don't agree with them. The people trying to enforce the rules are usually not jerks, but volunteers. And if they are jerks, then get involved so you can get people in charge in your association who aren't jerks.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By LoriM15 on 05/31/2022 9:35 AM
Our community USED to allow people to repaint their homes the same color without permission from our architectural committee. However, we changed those rules a couple of years ago because the community has a color palette that does not include the original colors. You may want to make sure you are looking at a correct version of your rules. And it's always a good idea to get permission for anything you do just in case. I know that to you it doesn't make sense to have to get permission to paint your house. But if you live in an HOA you have to follow the rules, even if you don't agree with them. The people trying to enforce the rules are usually not jerks, but volunteers. And if they are jerks, then get involved so you can get people in charge in your association who aren't jerks.

Sound advice.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

With others, Lucretia: Get written approval from the Design Review Committee.

KellyM3 (North Carolina)
Posts: 2,239

Posted:

There is likely a misinterpretation of your HOA rules since you're repainting the home with the existing color and your CC&Rs say you can do so without needing new approval.

However, it would be a courtesy to get sign-off from your neighbors mainly to inform them that you're hiring out a "big" job and that crews will be in the community. Also, the design committee would sign off as well.....neighbors don't have veto rights but can protest a color change, I guess.

CassyM (New York)
Posts: 9

Posted:

It's so strange really. I think you should do it without asking

JohnP47 (Washington)
Posts: 31

Posted:

I'm with CassyM and would just paint it. Let the neighbors do the political work if they are inclined.

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By JohnP47 on 06/01/2022 7:19 PM
I'm with CassyM and would just paint it. Let the neighbors do the political work if they are inclined.

Bad advice. Get approval.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Agree with JohnC.

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