I-Team: HOA Drama Caught on Tape

by Dana Fowle
Aired March 14, 2016
A quiet, DeKalb County neighborhood off of Flat Shoals Road is cozy with its bungalows, townhomes and single family houses. But, neighbors say, their new homeowners' association president has created tension.
"I've lived 10 years and I've never seen anything like this. It could be a reality show," said Lauren Hise , a Brighton Village homeowner
Brighton Village Board Treasurer Derick Montegomery chimed in, "I'm exhausted and tired and very frustrated."
Many residents and some board members also blame the property management group, Sentry Management, for the new tension which spilled into a recent meeting.
In an audiotape, you can hear Sentry representive Caren Brown challenges board member Brianna Gage who has pushed back at how the community is being treated.
"Do you want to see me outside Brianna? Let's go," yelled Ms. Brown.
Board treasurer Derick Montgomery was there.
I said, 'We're professionals. We are not going to engage in a fistfight wth a property management who is on the clock and we're paying her to be there'."
So how did it come to this? The installation of a security gate opened the neighbors' eyes to just how closed off they feel they are to the management of their community. Even the HOA treasurer, the man in charge of the finances, says he no longer has a say in how the money is spent.
The treasurer says Brighton Village shelved an $80,000 gate proposal because they didn't have the money. But then after new board leadership arrived, he says, a gate was going in and the price was going up.
"And we're now at $135,000," he told the Fox 5 I-Team.
Alarmed Montgomery sent a letter warning his neighbors "no decision was voted on by the board." Neighbors chimed in wanting to know more.
"We want to see the contract. We want to see the financial," said homeowner Zakia Funchess
The Fox 5 I-Team has tried to talk to board president Michael Pillow about the mounting tensions since he took the post. When I asked him, "Can we talk to you about the ill will between the board and some of the neighbors," he kept walking.
Neighbor David Thompson sums up what we heard again and again.
"There just hasn't been a lot of transparency."
Residents say they were told the bylaws give the president a lot of power to make unilateral decisions.
Fed up they gathered signatures to call for new board elections, but they poured out of that packed meeting furious, again.
"They humored us by giving us the meeting that we had a right to and then at the last moment threw it in our face that we needed half of the members which is half of the homeowners to vote in order to get anybody off the board," said an obviously furious Lauren Hise
Neighbor Brian Sheffer said, "We thought we had the votes."
He placed blame for the community not knowing more about how the process was supposed to work.
"Our property manager, our board, the lawyer we're paying to be there right now."
We tried to chat with Sentry Management, but they instead called the police on us.
The community told me at the meeting to vote off the board, they finally asked the current members to just step down from their volunteer positions so they could start over. We were told, one board member said she would, but not the president.
And finally, the neighbors say many of the board positions - including the president's - are about to expire, so they will hold new elections. But they want all spending to be on hold until that happens.

[@VincentEllisD]

This is why i paid $130,000 more for a sightly smaller house. Just to be in an area with no HOA. HOAs should be outlawed.

[@rps13sr]

Hoa make the homes worth muchless cause only dumb people that go and buy it. And they cant afford more expensive ones cause they dumb.

[@califdad4]

people buy homes in HOA areas, because dumb asses in some neighborhoods don't mow their lawns regularly, tear apart cars in their driveways and have crap all over the place. Some of these HOA's even take care of your front yards. All Del Webb areas have a HOA and those seem to work very well. Only the bad ones that have issues get on the news, the ones that work well , which there are many, are not talked about

[@rps13sr]

no people buy hoa cause they dont realize what hoa is and also found out its cheaper cause its really that stupid to buy into an hoa

[@califdad4]

rps13sr that's bull sh"t , disclosure laws are in effect and not disclosing a HOA is grounds for a lawsuit

[@jimmytwotime6875]

@@califdad4 for every good HOA, there are 10,000 shitty ones.

[@niveknospmoht8743]

Before I bought my current home I told my Realtor that if he shows me any homes in an HOA he's fired

[@Lily-en6qe]

HOAs usually consist of snobby people who think they're above others.

[@dougn2350]

The people who complain about HOAs are stupid and selfish. They don't appreciate living in a well maintained community with consistently high property values.

[@navret1707]

Doug N - you have obviously never lived under an HOA/POA. Lily * is spot on. I’m stuck in one right now.

[@tonysudano778]

You mean karens

[@dajb90]

I've done work in many HOA neighborhoods and the president always makes an appearance and think he's someone important. All have been men so far

[@dajb90]

@@dougn2350 most people can maintain their own property, its for lazy people who don't want to do anything for themselves lol

[@Venis-Pagina]

Can’t believe that HOA lady’s name is Karen

[@yomamaso1657]

Poetry in motion

[@extra_ice_girl]

😩😩😩😩

[@Name-oz4lq]

I can

[@JohnsonKayla12]

Thats why they say Karens can be of any race, etc 🤣🤣 its all personality

[@extra_ice_girl]

If I ever move into an HOA, I plan to get on the board so I can dismantle it.

[@endeavorrv]

"Home owners associations, they work well the majority of the time..." No they don't.

[@califdad4]

actually , you only hear about the ones with problems , not the ones that work well. All Condo associations, Some Mobile home parks, Gated neighborhoods and Country Clubs neighborhoods have HOA's, If you don't like rules about keeping up your yard and front of your home, then don't live in one. Most of them actually work very well

[@rs72098]

😂 true. HOAs are legalized rental fees on top of paid-for properties.

[@tlg_._]

Eventually they end up corrupt or on the news...

[@danchostanchevyordanov1577]

@@rs72098 They are just a scam for more money. 0 Productivity.

[@baltsosser]

Because the A in HOA...never stands for Association.

[@matthewtuel2747]

The gate only stops cars. Pedestrians appear to be free to come and go, which means this six-figure gate only provides a false sense of security, like most of them do in a gated community.

[@rs72098]

$100,000 for a gate ridiculous. Is it made out of fine silver?

[@TheLittledikkins]

@@rs72098 IMO the Property Management company is probably padding the bill....possibly with the help of the contractor who put the bid in as a kickback for getting said contract. I live in a small (42 house) PUD and we discovered the Property Management Company the Developer ''hired'' was asking for kickbacks. The Owners had just taken control and when we did some digging we discovered that the management company was owned by the Developer. The brand new Board canned the company and rewrote the CC&Rs (which were duplicates of a Condo project he had built a couple of years earlier and VERY restrictive) and removed the '' dangerous to our liberties'' restrictions. That was 35 years ago and all has been peace ever since.

[@andyfletcher3561]

@@TheLittledikkins Most HOAs are actually installed by the developers.

[@lauradent5420]

@@TheLittledikkins My dad did the same thing at his PUD (uncovered conflict of interest and corruption) and got the President canned. I was so proud of him.

[@hse6144]

Raz Aghoul not true, criminals are attracted to gated communities. Unless it’s a 15’ wall with armed guards, your gate isn’t stopping anyone who really wants in.

[@thomassmith8156]

As a member of an HOA i think bringing back fist fights might be a good thing.

[@spicemilktea]

🤣

[@Monkeywrench542]

fist fights? they should be glad that there are not guns being brought out.

[@Name-oz4lq]

As a citizen, I think HOA’s should be banned & everyone in one is a bully. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Most do actually.

[@AS-yc3yy]

Bring forth the pit of death!

[@Killerspieler0815]

better opt for guns & the HOA problem solves it self

[@h.ofl3503]

I've worked in law enforcement for many years and the one thing I can tell you when someone calls the police on a news crew for just asking a few questions then there's something wrong going on. Have audit done and find out who is getting the contracts. I bet you anything you'll find some kickbacks.

[@philobetto5106]

nephews our aunts, or maybe godparents own a masonry or gate/fencing c.o

[@MrJiffytiffy]

Meanwhile, First Amendment auditors stand outside silently and still get the police called. And people call them "agitators"...

[@sonofamountie]

@MrJiffytiffy Those supposed auditors are anything but silent.

[@marigold3687]

@@MrJiffytiffy. Really? Those nitwits are only doing their so called audits to create confrontation for a video to post on KZbin for a paycheck. They are now ‘auditing’ private businesses. They are never doing this for rights simply because we have the right. Also calling yourselves press is not a license to go anywhere and do anything and harass citizens and employees.

[@brandexample1776]

@@sonofamountie Why, because they respond to people?

[@karenfish4245]

My first house was in an HOA neighborhood and we continuously got warning letters for ridiculous things. My husband and I sold the home even though we lost money on it but we have never been happier to leave. I am never living in an HOA property ever again.

[@MR..181]

Property value protection, for????

[@patrickbertlein4626]

Good luck! 80% of new homes are HOA. They are taking over.

[@wildfire160]

@@patrickbertlein4626 Thats because most new HOAs are now being run by the builders as the property managers with the actual homeowners having little to no say in how the HOA is run or what fines etc are imposed...

[@cgschow1971]

​@patrickbertlein4626 then find the 20% that aren't. A good realtor can do that. They know there's a strong market for non-CCR/HOA properties.

[@marikiemarie7622]

​​@@patrickbertlein4626 not ture. You can fight it because they are so bad. There is no HOA in my county at all. They were voted out. There is a bigger market for no HOA. Homes won't sell here with one. There are signs all over the town "No HOA, Come check out our new homes."

[@jamesearp6396]

Never understood why anyone would buy property in an HOA. I never would.

[@EAAAA1505]

It is not always an option to get something with no HOA. In the DMV area everything has an HOA.

[@sandybruce9092]

And not all HOAs are like the ones you read about on KZbin!

[@sandybruce9092]

But I would never live in a gated community!

[@sandybruce9092]

Many HOAs are not gated!!! Ours isn’t and we haven’t had a single problem like those people write about. I get really tired of people always writing about the bad ones!

[@mcd4039]

@@sandybruce9092yeah exactly the ones u dont hear about are worse than u see on youtube. Wake up to them. Shady business practices to line someones pockets in exchange for control. Want to be a boss join the army

[@cognitiveawareness6589]

I own a home beside an HOA they have tried to enforce. their rules on me and MY PROPERTY. The first time I told to pound salt second time they were met with my dogs they left in a hurry third time they had actually come on my property they were met with a shotgun.I called the police and they told them that if they ever come back on the property they would be arrested for criminal trtrespass.I told them if they don't like my house build a fucking wall.

[@BlackRose85789]

WWWOOOOOO HHOOOO LOL! I like your style. I feel the same way. Don't like my house, build a fucking fence that blocks it from your view.

[@OlafoWaffle]

Bravo... If I had to money to burn, I would have gone through the motions establishing my own HOA within the bounds of my property, and use loopholes to annex adjoining properties or anyone sick of their bs.

[@missnperfection9830]

P Mc I love you! Will you marry me? 😂😂😂 That's fucking hilarious 😂😂😂

[@cmdoseck3022]

BUILD THE WALL!!!!!!!!

[@benjaminbrosious6880]

beautiful

[@beaucrawford538]

how the hell does a gate like that even cost $80k ?! and there's no way it could be $135,000! that's crazy.

[@MrJoshcc600]

Dylan Castle that's exactly what I was going to comment

[@MrBradweston]

Dylan Castle it’s what is hidden that is expensive as well depending on where power and metering are connected plus the programming for the access cards for residents and dialer system to call if a guest is at gate

[@royhoco5748]

graft and kick backs maybe?

[@videosuperhighway7655]

Dylan Castle because they get kickbacks they charge 135k and the company keeps 70k and kicks backs go back to the president and board. This is common practice.

[@treehouse2902]

Check the connections between the board members (s) and the gate maker.

[@pierrebibeau9861]

Owners should stop paying their dues until an investigation by an outside firm is made.

[@AlmetyaCOliver]

You do that for a long. Of time and they will put a lien on your home to own your home for them HOA fees

[@boat6float]

I would LOVE to see an HOA rebellion where all the residents refuse to pay all dues and fines. They can't prosecute everyone because of the legal bills and time it would take.

[@rodceasar]

And lose your home in that process

[@yayaming176]

It's all about money and power nothing else

[@trinageraud9664]

Yaya Ming you got it!

[@onewayturtles]

I'm pretty sure the sour old lady who stalks around our neighborhood looking for violations doesn't get any money out of it.

[@ak33428]

We as homeowners need to be protected against this HOA bullies

[@russell5078084]

this is why HOA'S should be outlawed.

[@cdavid8139]

Why outlaw something that 60 million americans voluntarily choose to use as a means of managing a neighborhood with common issues. Just don't move into an HOA neighborhood if you don't like it. But don't make it illegal for those who do like it. You'd make one hell of a dictator

[@aemt4u]

C David just like HOA's are 😄

[@denimadept]

C David Not everyone elects an HOA. Sometimes they're imposed on people either after the fact or by default when a person buys a house. Yes , a person could buy a house elsewhere, but again there are places where the local government basically off-loads its duties onto the local HOAs. Personally, I'd avoid the whole area if that were the case, but I suspect not everyone is aware of these issues until something goes wrong.

[@LittleKittySilver]

I think there should be some rules and guide lines for all HOAs have to follow. Right now it's all free game.

[@RibEaterDutch]

That type of authoritarianism is what makes HOA’s have such a bad reputation. You can’t outlaw them. That’s none of your business. People want to live in an HOA community, then let them. I personally would rather die. But, for some reason, others like it.

[@snowmamm1410]

My late husband and I were once considering buying a condo. While driving thru a very nice condo complex I noticed that ALL the window boxes on each condo had red geraniums in them. I told my husband that we would NOT be buying any condo here. If I'm choosing to spend over $300,000 for a house, I do NOT want to be told what flowers I can plant in pots or what colors I cannot paint my front door. I love my clothesline but that is NOT allowed by HOAs and you also cannot hang a beach towel on your deck railing. IT'S ALL NONSENSE!!!

[@rcisneros8567]

That's fine. That's how it works. The HOAs only have power over people because they agree to the HOA. I think people agree to them not knowing how much power they are giving them. For example, don't pay their fines and you could lose your house to them.

[@wschmrdr]

That's what happens when you pay to be told how to live.

[@ivanolsen7966]

and yet these very same people don't want America to be like Russia .... explain that please

[@kvogel9245]

This is why I live in a neighborhood with no HOA. We get the occasional problem lawn, but so what? Doesn't seem to have any effect on property values. Lots of people envy us and want to move here.

[@ddsjgvk]

Tics

[@MR..181]

Beware of newly installed gates..

[@mida8261]

"Homeowner's Associations for the most part, they work well the majority of the time." Uh, no they don't! I used to live in an HOA neighborhood. Never again! People claim that they're "safe" (main reason why I moved there) but my old neighborhood was a target for thieves for quite some time. The HOA never does anything about these issues, but they'll gladly take your monthly dues and harass the ever living shit out of you so you can cough up more money for their bullshit fines. When I buy my first home, I know where not to buy! I am never going to live in an HOA neighborhood again!

[@johnmagill3072]

Then why are there so many night mare stories all over the news and you tube about it. If they work so well?

[@SeedlingNL]

Well, think about it... it wouldn't be news if nothing happened, and it wouldn't be a popular youtube channel if all they did was make documentaries about HOAs that worked just fine. I mean, you might get one or two channels doing just that, but they would get less views per year then a 'HOA foreclosing on elderly couple's home for failing to shovel snow mid-June!!!'.

[@BlackRose85789]

HOA should be illegal.

[@cdavid8139]

For the majority...absolutely yes they do. That is why 60 million people in the US choose to live in HOA neighborhoods

[@rs72098]

Get petitions going in your states to make them illegal or heavily regulated.

[@reddirtfarm7704]

This is why i live on my farm!! I am the management!!!

[@sailordave1000]

HOA is hell! Never buy into an HOA.

[@TheBrainSquared]

Some places don't give u much of a choice, every suburb of Houston are all HOAs. If you want a good school for your kids you will have to make sacrifices..Such as your kids not being allowed to play outside for the reason they could hurt themselves and the HOA could be sued.. It sounds stupid but people like living in the "Security" of an HOA where they can all stare out their windows each time a sound is made and frequently report their neighbors for alleged HOA deed violations.. It's really nice living in an HOA..

[@tallthinkev]

Living next to one is no fun either, especially when your home was there before the HOA even came in to being!

[@M-E-G-A]

Sailor Dave during the housing boom of 2003-04 I walked away from so many new homes communities because the HOA was part of it. I'm glad I did.

[@johnmagill3072]

I have to.

[@tlg_._]

@@tallthinkev Honestly, you think you're safe from the HOA until it comes to you. Then the HOA board members start harrasing you to join the HOA. Some people even had to file lawsuits against the HOA because they started fining them even though they weren't a part of it.

[@MichaelClark-uw7ex]

Most of the time if someone won't give their side of the story , they have something to hide. Follow the money.

[@Rj-yr1br]

i agree

[@buttercupj6208]

I was a renter in a HOA community it was TERRIBLE! One Sunday night a lady knocked on my door from the HOA at 11:30 pm claiming that a homeowner said that I was putting trash out before trash day I was pissed my son was sick and it was late plus she refused to say who told her I cursed her a** out then 2 day's later my lawn decorations were destroyed I ended up leaving because it was either leave or jail....

[@buffyranger6355]

Ah, your statement rambles on making no sense.

[@Rick-tb4so]

MAKE SURE WHEN YOU BUY A PROPERTY THAT HAS A "HOA" make sure you get a written letter saying the property doesn't have any liens against it. My daughter bought a condo and 6 months later got a bill from the "HOA" saying she owes $5000.00 for upcoming roof repairs . Tried to fight it and lost. Previous owners left the state and the attorney said it would cost more to fight it. HOA'S buyers beware....

[@califdad4]

I lived in a Condo for 14 years, we painted the buildings and even replaced all the Shale roofs , with new Comp roofs without any "special Assessments" when buying one of these you need to find out about their reserve accounts before you buy. The Condo I lived in was built between 1970-1971 and I drive by it all the time still, and it looks good, well kept.

[@kwkstar]

A title company should have cought that! That is why its called "Title Insurance"

[@Rick-tb4so]

@@kwkstar Not having a lien on the property I dont no how that will work, but will look into it..Thanks

[@MR..181]

All previous owners, former board members left and installed new rules, defrauding new owners,...forcing new painting yearly???and roof and septic repair of damage their trees cause, so to make repair money, and power, as "ownership"???..theft. ?

[@Rick-tb4so]

@@kwkstar There wasn't a lien against the property..

[@peterliljebladh]

How big percentage of private home owners are terrorized by this kind of maffia tactics? How many are free to own a home without being bullied around by a HOA?

[@sonofamountie]

Why anyone would live in an HOA community is beyond me.

[@hiimjai6064]

They’re literally everywhere and hard to avoid

[@johnkirkman2849]

I used to install gate's like those. The top end one is about 46,000$ and that's one of the best. Low end one's run about 10,000$. That one looked mid range probably around 18 to 20 thousand.

[@garyphillips7817]

This is a kick back. I bet he made 20k

[@cd1673]

Gary Phillips and he will never be caught or prosecuted.

[@jpkjnn6733]

Absolutely. I would put odds 10000 to 1 that this either a kickback or stakeholder situation. Period. HOA's are magnet for these kinds of scammers.

[@califdad4]

Doesn't say how many gates were put in, some of these places have several gates, especially the big developments and this apparently is a very big one

[@georgeespino3929]

Gary Phillips oh yeah, nice fat kick back.

[@femalepapyrus]

4:00 her name is Karen no wonder she called the police it's technically in her name 😂

[@Roques-rage1706]

Lol

[@jessylee2844]

For a second I thought I was going to hear the magic words; "cash me outside"! After watching a lot of these HOA videos I am getting a very strong suspicion that HOA's have a great opportunity to skim funds without any oversight, through kickbacks, nepotism, embezzlement, etc. and they are taking advantage of it.

[@MR..181]

Exactly.. but toss them, or/and get tossed....

[@buffyranger6355]

I agree.

[@UnfinishedBusiness-en2dg]

why would anybody move to an area where your neighbours can fine you?.... madness

[@hiimjai6064]

More affordable property, the HOA has some protections and benefits, the fact that HOA’s are literally everywhere

[@SFVGIRL]

The WORST experience I ever had was dealing with an HOA and my condo- that I SOLD!!!

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

If thats your idea of "cozy" housing community I don't know what to say ! 😂😂

[@szasremmurd8002]

Wats wrong with that?

[@nycalien]

How is this even a thing? How come there are laws over laws that Federal and sate and city? Are HOAs are even legal? How this is even constitutional? How come people cannot dismantle the HOA all together?

[@dudeman71213]

I'm still young and renting, but will be looking to buy in the next couple years. The moment I catch a whiff of any HOA or Strata, I ain't going anywhere near that property. HOAs have done this to themselves, and I only hope that HOA home prices plummet so hard that the world realizes how terrible HOAs really are.

[@acjafrederick]

I agree Real Estate is about to fall drastically very soon maybe corporate investors will have to sell to AI robots. HOA's are/will get their CARMA with now vasaline.

[@ronhickey8137]

The head of hoa are usually people who have never had any power of anything in their lives. The power goes to their heads and they don't know how to handle it. It's always better to have a group head the hoa. One person can't handle the power.

[@andyh8239]

Its better to not have an HoA at all.

[@andyh8239]

Should be illegal.

[@johnathangrey3463]

HOA'S are wolves in sheep's clothing. Become a wolverine.

[@Nighthawke70]

Johnathan Grey Honey Badger. Dinner is served.

[@ReaverLordTonus]

question, When has calling the police on reporters ever actually worked in favor of someone's credibility?

[@2NDCBT]

Gotta love that GEICO commercial! "I see you've met Cynthia" HAHAHAH!

[@sandragrissom4802]

Lived in a gated area once. The first week we were there, a murder happened on a parallel street. Coming home from work one day, a car followed close behind me through the gate. Followed me all the way to my garage and wanted me to get out and answer a question for him. I leaned on the horn until my husband and neighbors came out. He left quickly. They are all false sense of security. Bad people don't respect borders, gates, fences.

[@thisbushnell4824]

Rented a condo in an hour. Was told to remove the cherry tomato plants from the 6 ft fenced in patio because they could be seen above the fence. Bought our first hobby farm and house that year. JUST NO HOA. We want nothing to do with fascism on any scale.

[@marshavoiers327]

❤

[@rogerramjet6429]

It's not just about control. It's also about the money they have access to and can hide misappropriation of funds. Theft for the layman.

[@davidtherwhanger6795]

In the HOA I used to be in they installed a new gate to replace the old back entrance. This new gate retracted out of the way along a rail, was two lanes wide, worked on a keypad or multiple remote controls, and was used mainly to allow 18 wheeler's delivering mobile homes in (Rural HOA development). And I believe it was around $30,000. No way the gate they showed could have cost that much.

[@namonamo494]

many hoa, soon or later, come with rules to only take companys in set listinf and so on how you ask? well a company was picked because friend of x in the bord and the both made some cash

[@mamballs24]

I build and install automatic gates. I come from the UK, but I can beat that quote.

[@asillynertasillynert2204]

Keep in mind our regulations are a little absurd surrounding construction whatever your guys hourly wage is double it thats the cost of payroll taxes and other regulations around employment. Then depending on where you live license can be 3-5k with up to another 2k tacked on for insurance. (can be lower but bigger citys it becomes ridiculous)Then since its on a roadway would most likely require engineer and approved plans along with a city code or way to bypass. While it definitely high not as high as most would think.

[@justincollings8352]

I am 99% sure the gates show in the video are made by my company. u-frame uas 101 industrial. They dont cost a 10th of the price they quoted.

[@fatimahhussain8234]

Zachary Campbell u could include your air fare too and also add your hotel bill lol.

[@Supatrader]

justin collings thinking the same thing. a gate is the same money as half of a house? GTFO!!

[@DarkReapersGrim1]

Do you build it by stealing other countries' materials like your people and country have historically been known to do?

[@breezelb50]

I would never buy a house where I have to listen to someone tell me what I can and can't do.

[@LittleFatFeet68]

I will never live anywhere that has an HOA. They tend to overstep their bounds in some way or another.

[@wanderinwolf3804]

One thing as well, even if your neighborhood tries to go to an HOA, as long as you decline to join, they legally can't force you to join. Granted you will be harassed non stop by the new HOA board because they are trying to force you to pay their "fines" and such even though you aren't part of the HOA. You would also need to make sure if you sell your home to have it completely and visibly labeled multiple times that the property is not part of the HOA. That way the new home owners know straight up that they don't have to do anything the HOA says because they aren't part of it

[@MichaelClark-uw7ex]

Anyone who gives up their rights to an HOA does not deserve to be a US citizen, Many good Americans died fighting that sort of fascism.

[@murraystewartj]

Ronald Reagan: Tear down that wall! HOA board: Put up that gate! And pay these fines! Oh, and our legal fees and some other stuff we might make up just because we're your local dictators. Lots of kids died protecting freedom from Hitler and his ilk. The cost of democracy is, sadly, often paid in blood. The work of being a citizen in a democracy is to inform oneself, vote, and engage in reasoned debate. The right to live in a free and democratic society comes with a responsibility to uphold it as a shareholder. The moment we stop caring gives the autocrats the space to create their petty fiefdoms. One day it's getting a fine for grass too high, the next day it's getting your house seized and off to the camps. Some HOAs may work fine, but it's collective laziness that lets the bad ones rum amok.

[@buffyranger6355]

That is a bit outrageous.

[@TheTubeTempest]

how much will it cost? I could build a castle wall and drawbridge for that complete with artwork.

[@jmar1371]

Buy in an HOA, get what you pay for.

[@prestonweitersjr.9460]

11/16/17, You get less; just say NO2HOA.

Dumbass, you don't have a fucking choice. Grow up.

[@fossywriter8]

The fact the one lady, who's part of the property management company, is named Karen is ALL I need to know.

[@Zethanie]

If a property management company, of a community with an HOA, does not serve the interests of that community, then the community should be able to fire them immediately. There are so many incidences of maligned HOA, property management company, and community. Simply put, this model does not have the necessary laws to make it resilient to arbitrariness.

[@geraldsmith7250]

HOA governing documents will outline a process for removing HOA board members, which usually involves 1) gathering petitions and presenting them to the board 2) the board then calls a special meeting where home owners can vote the current board out. Usually a vote from 50% of owners is required to vote a board out. Unfortunately, it is near impossible in a larger community to get enough people to vote to remove a board. An HOA board can fire the management company with proper notice, usually 30 days notice is sufficient. I have belonged to two HOAs and neither have been terrible, but both have gone through periods of not keeping up properly with maintenance due to lack of funds and bowing to pressure to not raise fees. HOAs are generally more economical than owning a single family home in a non-HOA community but the downside of an HOA is that you are at the mercy of other owners in the HOA community regarding the level of maintenance and services.

[@marcguidry5744]

I would never buy a house in a neighborhood that has a HOA!!!

[@rwahl125]

Wait what kind of gate costs 135k?

[@MR..181]

Hoa gates

[@elainerussell924]

Why would you ever want to live in a place with a HOA that can control how you act and live !

[@DJ-vj4vi]

This is why you should buy a older home or home without an HOA for $130k-$290k profit.

[@Nadeshiroo]

It's hard enough to pay for a home let alone HOA fees and why would I buy something and someone tell me what I could have and what flowers I could plant they need to be stopped this is ridiculous and I don't care where you are at if someone won'ts to break in there going to put you some cameras up and quite paying these people

[@Nadeshiroo]

No thank you that would be ridiculous. I know there is some that live like that but not me. I have been fortunate to have 1 acre of ground and a home that I do what I please. I just don't think that when you pay for something that they tell you what you can do and have if I am paying for it I consider it mine and think I should be able to do what I would won't to do. Lol

[@kathleenromo7511]

@@Nadeshiroo Its important to understand what you are buying into. All associations have rules that are to be followed. You have the ability to read all of this before purchasing into this type of living.

[@BMH1965]

This what happens when you let others make decisions for you.

[@MR..181]

Bingo...

[@michaelmartin8337]

SO 'like "liberals" voting for "democrats"? - got it 👍

[@allthingsnu4673]

I live in an inner-city neighborhood that is older and could use some revitalization but I'm still happy as heck that I don't live in an HOA community!

[@HummaKavula-DontVoteForStupid]

*_”HOA’s, for the most part, work the majority of the time.”_* Sadly, this news station is tragically misinformed

[@dabprod]

Only a pack of fools would allow themselves to be abused like this.

[@davidperry4013]

I would get an oxy acetylene torch and cut down that gate if I were to live there.

[@Pileits]

I am planning on buying a nearly one million dollar house very soon in an area heavily “infested” with HOA's. My first specification regarding buying is that I will NOT consider ANY neighborhood with an HOA. Any property I buy I alone will have total control over, nobody else will dictate anything to me and that's the way it ought to be. There is an HOA that is just down the street complained to my local police department when I parked my car in front of my own house. The police showed up, asked my next door neighbor who owned this legally parked car and the neighbor told them that the man who is the owner of the house it’s parked in front of owns this car. The policeman then went and reported that fact to the HOA president. I never heard another word. HOA's are HELL HOLES. run by grumpy olde men and women who have nothing better to do with their time then pester and bother other people about meaningless things. Your loss you greedy HOA’s where ever you are. Eventually ALL HOA’s will be found to be illegal in America!

[@srknhrd]

No where on a deed does it say you own the property. Most deeds have restrictions. In the U.S. You are merely granted usage by title or deed. The State retains ownership of everything and grants you a Title or Deed

[@lefthanded5473]

"I plan on buying a nearly 1 million dollar home" I feel poor just reading that lol.

[@Pileits]

@Chad Thundercock Mr Thundercock at the moment the million dollar house i presently own and live in and is fully paid for is property tax exempt. I pay NO property tax of any kind what so ever to any person, to any city. to any county nor any state or any nation. So I am quite sure I own my house free and clear and i have the DEED to prove my ownership in a safety deposit box. This is not my first rodeo as the saying goes. My other properties in Western Europe are a slightly different consideration tax wise how ever those properties are also fully paid for as well. Thank for you wisdom and limited knowledge and insight Mr Thunder I think i've made some fairly good property decisions....dont you?

[@Pileits]

@@srknhrd You probably are correct Ms stoll. I guess i ought to look up what rights i get along with the deed that i have....thank you for information

[@Pileits]

@Chad Thundercock Correct Mr ThunderSomething once i am dead my properties will no longer be tax exempt because my exemption is mine NOT the properties. My exemptions were granted to me by the governments located where my properties are located. now go try and figure that one out.

[@Elliandr]

can anyone site me a single example in which an HOA actually works? While I understand the premise of people paying for common areas, I don't see how that should come with giving up the rights as a homeowner.

[@judywright4241]

Elliander Eldridge --you’re not ‘giving up your rights’ since everyone has to sign a contract to abide by rules that protect your property values. It’s easy to gripe and call all Board members ‘nazis’ when no one wants to live next to a home owner who has his car up on cinder blocks, starts a Meadow in his yard knowing how he treats HIS house affects the value of YOURS. The power hungry boards do happen, usually because of apathetic home owners. They make news because it’s not the ordinary HOA’s don’t make news and are pretty boring except for the drama that happens because people are involved. I’m not against HOA’s as many here are, but I swear I’ll never be on a Board again, the hassle isn’t worth it.

[@geraldsmith7250]

I own properties in two HOAs and both work. Not perfectly, but what does? If you live in condo or townhome, only way to own is in HOA as somebody has to handle common areas like landscaping and amenities. In Denver area you will be paying half for two bedroom condo or town home than what you would pay for a two bedroom single family non-HOA home.

[@DanTheMan454]

well then just investigate the president of the HOA and report every little law he breaks and have video evidence and demand the police ticket and fine him if they want to be rediculous then I'd be rediculous too

[@nakyer]

+*Dan* You spelled "ridiculous" wrong. Twice.

[@jasonslaughter7656]

how stupid are people, to actually LET themselves be subjected to this by joining a H.O.A.?

[@califdad4]

I lived in a Condo Complex for close to 14 years, and was even on the board at one time and it ran very smoothly, we even paid for new water heaters, paint and later roof replacements and never had to ask for additional money. There were 58 Buildings 4 units per building.

[@geraldsmith7250]

Yes, HOA can work but so many get behind on maintenance due to lack of funds. There is a lot of pressure to not raise fees, if you don't raise fees inflation eventually catches up and decay starts setting in A lot of HOAs goes through a cycle of no fee increases, decay, then special assessments to get things back on track.

[@wallyspook9435]

Gerald Smith c

[@califdad4]

@@geraldsmith7250 the one I lived in kept dues low for years, but we had some business people on the board and a accounting firm helping and we were in very good financial shape, painted 58 buildings and did roofs never did any assessments. A friend lives in a very nice one, but they have had 2 assessments in like less than 10 years

[@JeremyBolanos]

How did this end? Couldn't find a followup video.

[@slowdownmoveoversharethero9701]

Remember when it comes to winter,rain,etc if you put a gate up and block access off to the home owners remember you as an HOA is responsible for maintaining your own roads, Doing necessary road work, Hiring a Trash company, in the winter HOA will be required to contact someone to plow the streets and maintain them. The city and state officials who ever works on the road during the winter will not be responsible. Some city's, state or county officials will not respond to a gated community from Police, fire EMS, etc.

[@interstellaraxeman4468]

In all homeowners associations they have to provide their own services you listed even if there is no gate, ..thats what the fee`s are for. Police Fire EMS not responding due to a gate or any other reason is a preposterous fabrication. They have a duty to act,...a sworn oath,,...Plus we like to make sure we get the job done safely and efficiently so there are things called KNOX boxes with any keys needed. So,....try again.

[@geraldsmith7250]

I have never heard of Police, Fire, EMS not responding to an incident on HOA property. My BS detector is going off.

[@warrenlp8536]

Do a story on the Summer Wood SC HOA and their shifty property management company Gold Crown!

[@zenz1624]

Vote on what? How to be screwed over in a different way! 😭😂😅😃😄

[@metalboy8822]

At 3:57 Love the wording on the glass doors: left side, hours for blood pressure screening, and on the right, "Nobody Does It Better" C-l-a-s-s-i-c!

[@lunaetsoliel0535]

Even if I was paid to live in a place with hoa I would not.

[@snaplash]

If I received a HOA house for free, I'd sell it as soon as possible.

[@satmtca]

I wonder how this is going now?

[@jesussanabria1685]

The HOA boards make every owner feel like nothing,and yet they live out of ownership fees. Time to clean every HOA association and be investigate what they do with the owners money fees.

[@trishaeason8081]

Here it is 5 years later and there is absolutely nothing different in sentry management. Why are they still in business.

[@glenncurley680]

I was going to ask if anyone had an update on this nightmare?

[@Drrhein]

You have the right to NOT buy into an HOA. If you do, then you are required to live within the rules. If you can't do that then the potential exists to lose your home, and you did it to yourself and that's why courts almost always side with the HOA. The vast majority of people who move into HOAs do so BECAUSE of the rules. Those that do it just to be defiant deserve exactly what they get. But, just like everything else in life, there are people who misuse their power and must be dealt with through the courts. As mom used to say, life ain't always fair.

[@meyaenyo2593]

HOA can not violate the property rights the constitution affords property owners, no matter what a contract says. No contract can go against your freedoms.

[@geraldsmith7250]

@Billy Ray Valentine The other reason that cities push for HOAS is that the homes are more affordable and there is a real lack of affordable homes in some areas of the country.

[@douglastodd1947]

@Billy Ray Valentine What happens if they build a suburb of new homes and nobody buys them , or do they show drawings and empty plots to potential purchasers , on the hope that somebody bites.

[@namonamo494]

could you .... cut the crap? or maybe just go and check how many houses/localisation are out of any hoa (tips a huges %, almost half in some state are in one) and if leaving out of one mean you end 1-2h+ from your job in any direction no you dont have a chocie at some point people should just have the right to be in one ... and to leave it (at the very least an automatic right to leave it each time they change/add rules) and in no way should a buyer be forced into it

[@opalanuitchoutte3038]

It's not more affordable once you realize you'll be paying whatever the HOA board tells you to pay, be it monthly, quarterly, yearly, ect. Which can change with a 'vote' of the board. Then however much you get dinged for supposed infractions of the rules. True or made up matters very little, because most people don't get lawyers to fight it. Because, cost.

[@johnwater22]

lol crooks, crooks everywhere! Have your hoa, pay your fees and deal with the underhanded deals.

[@initiald22]

A HOA President's response to how to calm the situation? RUN AWAY

[@tw8464]

Ban "HOAs." Make housing affordable again.

[@dondevers]

Someone was filling up their pockets!!

[@nink1239]

I got a question.why would people buy a house under hoa knowing there rules?why would you want some one to write you a 200$fine for leaving your garage door open for 30 minnutes why you go in and eat?why would you want a fine for having words on you work vehicle co.logos?I don't understand the ignorance behind it will someone please enlighten me.i wouldn't abide by those rules if my property is paid for.

[@geraldsmith7250]

Some people like having rules and don't mind abiding by them. I've been on two different HOA boards, and more people come to meetings complaining about rules NOT being enforced than do people complaining about rules or violation notices. The reality is that most HOAs will issue written warnings before issuing fines. I can see where some HOAs can go overboard. On boards I have been on, 85% of the time is spent discussing maintenance, services, and finances. Very little time spent on violations. And the main purpose of the HOAs is to provide maintenance and services, enforcing the rules is secondary to that. I would advise that anybody that does not like following the HOA rules to choose not to live there.

[@bigedslobotomy]

I think some people buy into HOAs because 1) at the time the HOA is ok and acting reasonably (not a guarantee of future behavior) and 2) they sugar-coat the reality of living in the HOA by downplaying how strict they really are until you’ve bought the property.

[@erikwalker9102]

This is happening in my HOA, except that 130,000 gate was a 1.5M ramp and the tension is 100x worse.

[@LadyDragonsblood]

no one is telling me what to do in my own house, on my own property.... ever.

[@vickiesutherland6974]

Vote to change the bylaws, limit board spending to 20,000, anything above that needs home owners approval. Remove clause about chairperson having any decision making powers on their own

[@buffyranger6355]

Very good advice.!

[@scatoni]

This is what happens when you give people power

[@karmaficionado1163]

Never EVER live in an HOA community where the units are privately owned and rented out, and those private owners do NOT live in that community. Those types are the worst. Renters have zero say about anything there, and the owners (their landlords) don't care.

[@theresaross7185]

Why would anyone in their right mind spend all that money on a home, and allow any one else to determine how life is to be regulated.

[@bigjohnson9865]

"You have a realley neat community." WTF? The community isn't neat with thugs running the thing. Once a new board is in place, I would find a way to throw the current president OUT of the community .... by whatever means.

[@matstarcher7630]

HOA need outlawed

[@tscoff]

I used to be the president of my condo association. Our governing documents mandated that I get board approval for any expense over $500. I could only spend $500 on my own without approval from the board. In addition we had printouts of our financials, including a copy of our bank statement, at every board meeting and board meetings were open to the owners under Florida state law. The president of that HOA should run things the way I was mandated to run things. Openly and by getting board approval for almost everything. It makes life a lot easier!

[@nelskrogh3238]

HOA's are bad enough. Add a "property management" and you have a sure-fire mess.

[@samfusaro2360]

Well if you you live in h o a and you sign on the dotted line did you give away all your rights they can tell you how to live you pay out they get rich that's the scam people don't be sheep in your contract does it say you can opt out or you have to sell your house and move if you don't do it their way cuz if it was me I tell him hell no

[@jstyles510]

F HOA

[@stephanieledogar4471]

Any update? I hate when they post these videos and then years go by with no update

[@thebluestig2654]

The main problem is that there's a property management company involved at all. They don't live anywhere near the neighborhoods they manage, they're not connected to those communities at all, so they have no problem taking tons of money and doing lots of things nobody ever voted on.

[@k.m.9418]

don't know what this reporter's talking about "hoa's can be great...." hoa's ALWAYS end up power tripping. might start off "good" but it eventually corrupts. it's the bylaws that gives them the power. not even the city can interfere.

[@Zak-uf6mq]

H O A is short for OPM, other peoples money

[@eugenesmith4272]

Having HOA he's like having 20 Karen's on Council just to kick you in the hemorrhoids

[@up0820]

Quit buying when there is an HOA, then the HOA would go away.