Hoa Favoritism

Started by NormanK2 • 7 replies • 330 views

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NormanK2 (Florida)
Posts: 39

Posted:

Why do some HOA'S let some get away with everything and others they call the County on we have an HOA here in Westley Chapel Fl. and a Woman had someone replace two windows without getting a Permit from what she said the President of HOA called and turned her in, and another Lady who is very good friends with the President and Vice President she had a shed put in back of her house has Cut a doorway thru the back of her house to enter the shed has replaced two doors all without a permit and you guessed it neither the President or the Vise President have called and turned her in to the County. because i guess they are good Friends.

CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299

Posted:

"...because i guess they are good Friends." That's it in a nutshell. Politics, in other words.

The solution, of course, is for homeowners to be aware of this kind of nonsense and to elect better, more ethical board members. Unfortunately, many owners don't pay attention until they're on the short end of the stick, don't attend the annual meeting, don't care who is running for a seat on the board, don't volunteer to serve themselves, and so on. Apathy comes at a price.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

I get tired of hearing "They are friends". Last I checked I did NOT work with my enemies. Didn't have a professional relationship with vendors etc... That does NOT equal "Oh they are friends so they get what they want...".

Here is a concept... What if the President gave instructions on how to properly apply for the changes to BOTH parties? One of them decided to go on and do it anyways without approval. The other person took the advice and followed the proper channels. Now your going to say that the 2nd person is "Friends" with the President? No. Simply it's how someone is told how to follow the process and how they react to that information.

Yes I was "friends" with my neighbors. I live there just like all your neighbors/members do. Why in the world would you not be friendly or hang out socially with some of your neighbors? Some may be board members. Guess what? That then means you are "friends" with a board member or their "neighbor". So then you must be a HOA favorite...

Sorry just had to get that pet peeve out of my system. HOA stands for HomownerS Association. It's not one person. It is ALL your neighbors. Some people are better than others for following the rules. If you don't then you reap the consequences friends or not.

Former HOA President

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

One thing to keep in mind is that even though the individuals are sitting on the board, the are still individuals.

I suspect that it wasn't the HOA that called the permitting office but an individual who happens to be sitting on the board of the HOA.

As others have said, individuals are human. Some humans are petty. Some humans rise above pettiness.

Remember, if desired, you can file a complaint with the permitting office as well.

BillD16 (Texas)
Posts: 971

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By NormanK2 on 10/04/2023 1:48 AM
Why do some HOA'S let some get away with everything and others they call the County on we have an HOA here at Terrace Park in Westley Chapel Fl. and a Woman had someone replace two windows without getting a Permit from what she said the President of HOA called and turned her in, and another Lady who is very good friends with the President and Vice President she had a shed put in back of her house has Cut a doorway thru the back of her house to enter the shed has replaced two doors all without a permit and you guessed it neither the President or the Vise President have called and turned her in to the County. because i guess they are good Friends.

Friends? Naw.

They just have a Special Relationship.

Bill

HOA Board ex-President
Austin, Texas USA

“You can’t put too much water in a nuclear reactor”

BillH10 (Texas)
Posts: 1,217

Posted:

Norman

As the owner of a property management company, we always recommend to our clients we contact the city if an owner is in violation of city rules or codes. The city carries a bigger stick and wields it more rapidly than the HOA which must go through a sometimes weeks long process of sending out-of-compliance letters, follow up letters, scheduling hearings, etc.

The most common referrals to the city involve trees which do not meet city guidelines for clearance above the sidewalks and streets, and vehicles which do not have current licenses, or appear inoperative.

Occasionally there are building code violations which are also reported to the city. It has been our experience a letter from the code compliance people at city hall gets more rapid attention than does one from the HOA.

MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459

Posted:

Norman,
The only thing I will add to this conversation is only the board and the individual homeowner know what is actually happening in any particular case. Any of these processes take time and have many steps that have to be completed. Because you think you know what is happening does not mean you do unless you are directly involved with both parties. Some people ignore the Rules and take the process all the way. It takes time to see the final results.

As a current board president as others have stated if asked, I would tell owners how I would do the project to comply if I was asked. I also would let them know that I am a Rules guy and if they choose to break a rule, I would not be able to support them. I would not trade in my character for any friend and would not expect a real friend to ask me as well.

TerriS6 (California)
Posts: 3,284

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By NormanK2 on 10/04/2023 1:48 AM
Why do some HOA'S let some get away with everything and others they call the County on we have an HOA here in Westley Chapel Fl. and a Woman had someone replace two windows without getting a Permit from what she said the President of HOA called and turned her in, and another Lady who is very good friends with the President and Vice President she had a shed put in back of her house has Cut a doorway thru the back of her house to enter the shed has replaced two doors all without a permit and you guessed it neither the President or the Vise President have called and turned her in to the County. because i guess they are good Friends.

Human nature. Maybe AI directors would be an improvement but probably not.
The risk directors take by showing favoritism is that one who is cited for a violation could claim the board is prohibited from enforcing that restriction because the board failed to enforce it with others.

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