Out-of-control HOAs need reform

Homeowners Associations, known as HOAs, are multiplying across central Texas. So are the complaints against them. Some homeowners have said HOAs are out of control -- and now Texas lawmakers are listening.

[@neetrab]

poorly attended meetings mostly because the meetings are NEVER posted anywhere and the board wants to keep it secret.

[@Waiting4Him111]

People move into HOAs to improve home value, but ironically not being in an HOA makes a house more desirable.

[@thenormalyears]

yea when I was buying a house I told my realtor to not even waste my time and hers by showing me anything with an HOA because I wouldn't buy it. there has to be more people like me

[@agmcroom2374]

1,0000-00000000%

[@peggyrahe9592]

I have people all the time. Who want to live a neighborhood with no homeowners association.

[@peggyrahe9592]

100%

[@joandoe5688]

HOA Board members should never be providing any services to homes or have any affiliation or partnership with anyone that does, this is a conflict of interests and corruption , any Board member applying vindictive punishment to be terminated without delay.

[@jeff6413]

Buying an HOA home sounds pointless. I feel like I have more freedom renting. Damn...

[@BradleyCaban]

I hate renting, Rental management are so unresponsive

[@jeff6413]

@@BradleyCaban Renting sucks too. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[@pjgumby]

I would never buy a house that I couldn't own, and I damn sure wouldn't buy into an HOA. What would be the point? They sound like nasty people trying to wring money out of you all the time. If I can tolerate that, then I'd rather rent.

[@KrazyKrzysztof]

rental is cool if you don't have a lot of stuff. if you have a lot of shit buying is nice because you cannot just get kicked out

[@Renville80]

pjgumby believe it or not, there are actually some good HOAs out there that stay out of the individual owners’ way most of the time. My parents’ last two houses had HOAs, and both concerned themselves only with maintenance of common areas and facilities.

[@huntera123]

HOA's, like any other form of governance, need checks and balances.

[@roberteugene7295]

Basically, it amounts to "you don't actually own your property." If the HOA can foreclose on your house or "fine" you for arbitrary reasons, you don't own it.

[@edwardlewis1963]

@@roberteugene7295 Yes. Most of these so-called "HOA"s are not associations of existing home owners, they are Property Developers who build houses, and sell contracts for the use of the "homes". Who owns the land? Chances are the Property Developer owns the land; they are LANDLORDS. "HOA" sounds nicer than LANDLORD; makes for a sweeter sounding sales pitch.

[@phlodel]

You can't even visit a community with an HOA without surrendering your rights.

[@joenewman3479]

That’s what they want you to think, not true though… they want use to believe that the constitution doesn’t apply to homeowners in hoa it does, but the homeowners aren’t aware they have rights.

[@Vashtstamped]

HOA should be managed by the home owners, one year term and open records. Quarterly finical records sent to all home owners and any rules changes must be signed by 99% of the home owners. All vendors must be bid on yearly and signed off on 75% of the home owners.

[@hcmaxson1420]

People, please listen, do not ever think about buying house with HOA!!!

[@patricksaxon3983]

But the HOA protects the value of your house.

[@dukee3871]

Sounds like typical bullies with authority. These type people have nothing better to do but spend someone else's money while padding a friends pocket. No illegal but wrong in so many ways. The HOAs nationwide need to be governed by someone.

[@nogaffin]

Get rid of your HOA and your property value will go up.

[@jburr36]

Idaho has laws restricting how HOA fines are levied

[@danchostanchevyordanov1577]

Well, that´s a start.

[@leonardbuchanan1009]

These HOA's have far to much power, they should be optional, anyone who wants to be part of it can, otherwise an opt out should be there. My home was the first in the neighborhood, now all these newcomers are talking about no parking on the street, we want gates, and all sorts of nonsense.

[@Nilonimir]

Outlaw Hoa’s entirely.

[@mikemontero2431]

HOA should not be able to make policies that violate ur constitutional rights and should be shut down cause they aint doing anyone any good

[@gershonhopster]

Well I asked for the rules before moving into my HOA. Shortly after I moved I in, they made new ones. Without voting. lol

[@wschmrdr]

That's what you get for paying to be told how to live.

[@TheHiredGun187]

First Tip that guy at the end should have given is...DO NOT BUY A HOME INVOLVED WITH A HOA

[@arliewaite9319]

For that price HOA should provide all lawn care, and everything pertains to outside the doors of the home. Where does the money go anyway?

[@gdavis2020]

I used to live in the p_Ville area, had an HOA, didn't do anything for the neighborhood. I'm glad I got out of it.

[@SigXman]

I hate HOAs. Never lived in one. But the idea of having someone control you? Never.

[@bazookajoe8904]

Hate the idea of having neighbors that I can see. Closest driveway is 1/4 mile from mine and there is a forest inbetween us.

[@x2z964]

@@bazookajoe8904 I agree. I live in a rural area, no neighbors. I'd be miserable living in a cramped neighborhood.

[@KillWelfareMoms]

I hate my hoa

[@dancook8213]

Elder Trolls move

[@jasontman36]

THIS STORY SOUNDS JUST LIKE MY HOA! SAME SHIT DIFFERENT HOOD! ...YO!

[@CharlesM-dp4xe]

My solution, I simply refuse to live in a community with an HOA. For the last 10 years or more I live on a very rural farm, previously lived in very large cities like Boston in areas where there were no HOAs. Because of my past employment history "Landscape company owner" I have seen many nightmarish situations including forced foreclosures. I will NEVER pay anyone for any reason to compromise my rights. America is turning into a 3rd world country, stand up for your rights, vote these antagonistic organizations out of existence and enjoy your right to the pursuit of happiness .

[@MegaDaveNichols]

HOA's collect TONS of money from these home owners in monthly dues, and then Harasses and fines the home owners for any ridiculous thing they could think of!?!? Talk about INSANE!?

[@janjbowman]

I’m getting private property . I can’t stand being told what to do with my own home .

[@trainsplanesandotherthings5187]

Only $330 a year on HOA, mine is $297 a month.

[@x2z964]

Edub W And you don't mind paying that? It's hard for me to understand why anyone would want to be under that burden. I get the fear of resale value if your neighbors decide to be idiots and trash their place but generally there are plenty of nice neighborhoods that aren't under tyrannical rule.

[@TheHiredGun187]

One point you missed in dealing with HOA....DO NOT BUY A HOUSE THAT REQUIRES YOU TO JOIN AN HOA.../rantoff

[@Woodman-jl6kw]

Sold my home in a HOA community.HOA’s act like they own the community and your house. Living great on land not in a HOA.

[@Joey---]

And then there is a contractors HOA where there is no home owners involved in anything for up to 40+ years, the construction company farms out the management of the HOA in a sweet hand-off deal to a property management company and you have no meetings or contact with anyone. Somehow everyone skips over this headache when describing an HOA.

[@jasontman36]

MY HOA IS OUTTA CONTROL AND SO AM I! I AM FIGHTING BACK MY HOA WITH THE POWER OF YOU TUBE! I WILL NEVER LET MY HOA PUSH ME AROUND! WHO STARTED THIS HOA BULLSHIT? ....YO!

[@Nova_Scotia_Adventurer]

HOA.. regular people taking your cash and fining you for it.

[@peggyrahe9592]

I listed a house for sale. The seller is in the military lived out of state. Previously they rented it. The HOA said no more rentals. I took some furniture in to stage the house for sale. The h o a attorney thought I was renting it to someone. They filed a lawsuit against my owner. We got a contract on the sale but could not close until that lien was satisfied. My cellar was completely distraught. The attorney who works for the HOA miraculously was charging all of the money that the owner would get in proceeds for the closing. In the end, my seller became stressed out and agreed to give the money at closing to the attorney for the HOA. I felt like it was total extortion. I told my seller that he should talk to the attorney about this and not pay. This is the gest of what happened. There's more to the story, but the bottom line is this HOA sucks. The attorney walked away with all the money as trumped up legal fees charged to my seller, representing the HOA. The attorney would not release the lien, unless my seller agreed to pay that blackmail fee. The attorney lived in the neighborhood and at the same time, represented the homeowner association, a true conflict. Because attorney got all that money. I've heard stories that we are not the first this happened to. Someone should bring that attorney up on charges.

[@chrisbuhneing3194]

HOA'S Need to be band all together.

[@danielwhite6441]

To fix your HOA problem go to general l;and board of Texas and find your house and the patent information. Rewrite your deed replace the subdivision which was a subdivision on the patent. No lawyer will tell you to do that cause they want your money and will play all types of games and do nothing. So leave your HOA by writing in the land patent from before it was subdivided. Its not the HOA land and the lawyer always works for the government private and public. Its not illegal in anyway if you ask a lawyer and he or she says you cant ask where it mentions it in the constitution that's the only law others are rules for government employees

[@john123033]

Never buy a home with HAO

[@ReaverLordTonus]

Only $338 a year? In California we pay twice that in a month.

[@diveaddict6885]

Great reforms definitely Colorado needs HOA reform

[@sayitaintso7544]

This is pure corruption. She may be a lone figure but she needs to gather support and kick that guy out. He is laughing all the way to the bank at their expense. Politicians only seem somewhat concerned with overhauling HOA terrorism 1:47 & 3:12.

[@janjbowman]

Imagine giving up amendment rights for am HOA . it’s sickening !

[@aliciamelendez5532]

To the Blackhawk HOA: YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO HELP YOUR TENANTS, NOT HARM THEM! To the Blackhawk tenants: Boycott your HOA by moving away and forcing them to shut down!

[@frankgiuliano380]

imagine if your neighbor started a day care , with 12 kids all day!

[@thenormalyears]

There are zoning laws you dont need an HOA this is a stupid fake argument to try and justify how you have a fetish for being dominated and told what to do

[@Weathernerd27]

My HOA charges $400 a month even though there is no pool no clubhouse nothing really to maintain except mowing the lawn/trimming a few bushes, the want to raise dues another $150 bucks and there is nothing to stop them from doing so. As far as all of us agreeing on the rules only 11 out of 24 owners voted yes on the last rule change but it still passed because all it takes to pass a rule change is a simple majority of the owners at the meeting and there are several owners that have lived in the complex forever, have paid off their condo or are close to it and don't care how much the fee's go up. They have no empathy for new owners like me with a big mortgage. I would like to see a law stating the HOA dues can't be more than 1% of property value + utilities and it takes 13 out of 24 owners to pass a budget 17 out of 24 to pass a special assement if this were the case the long time owners couldn't run the show they'd have to actually try to get some of the new owners like me on board. They also want to put a fence around the front of the property, this is probably only 100 feet of fencing but it will cost each owner about 5k. This seems excessive and I could probably get a much cheaper quote. There should also be a law that if you can get a signifigantly cheaper quote you don't have to pay the redicoulous amount. Forcing owners to do things a majority didn't vote for and pay way more money than they should have to is not freedom its un-american kind of like living in a communist compound. Other agencies are regulated why not HOA's?

[@dancook8213]

Never ever buy a house in a hoa.

[@davemcconnell4195]

The HOA is a perfect example of a good idea gone horribly wrong.

[@bobdowns6973]

Anyone's given athorty in America THEY GO CRAZY! 🤔

[@mr.willie9578]

HOA needs rules

[@Msaidawedo]

The HOA claims a buyer is under contract when they buy, but the elements of a valid legal contract are all missing from this pre-existing contract, and so are all of the constitutional rights and bill of rights of a homeowner. It takes two parties to form a contract. It is a one party contract created by the developer with an "empty" lien that ran with the land. This "contractual lien" is not an implied contract or an adhesion contract, but a poorly constructed "contractual lien." It fails the how-to-make a contract test and the how-to-make a lien test.

[@AMERICANPATRIOT1945]

There is only one reason why developers want to build HOA communities and that is to generate residual income for themselves after the homes are sold. It is high time that all HOA contracts are held in violation of the US constitution and rendered void. Then we can pass HOA laws which force HOAs firmly under the boot of residents of HOA communities with common areas only. Private detached homes in developments without common areas don't need HOAs, regardless of CCRs in the sales contract. As for CCRs, any CCRs found to be inconsistent with the US constitution or are overly restrictive of the owner's freedom must be voided.

[@larrydavis8582]

Hello, I live in myrtle beach sc, these HOA's here are unregulated, and they do not care about their own rules rules or documents, it's only about what they want, and they want to pick and choose who they want to live in their community, notice I said their community, Bluffs on the Waterway is one of them, these people are also Racist!!!

[@princessmarlena1359]

HOA? No way!

[@goodcomps]

Little people with little power tend to exert it greatly

[@robertevans7475]

Who in the hell in their right mind would want to live in a community where you are governed by some bored of people telling you what color to paint your house how to cut your grass what flowers to plant these people must be nuts no way in hell

[@thenormalyears]

read the other comments there are a lot of weak and scared people out there who only feel good if theres tons of authority and government controlling them

[@spirituallyours64whengnats69]

The budget first set with 12 waterfront houses & owner of the development had no funds for the planned start-up hoa. Found this after I became voted assistant. The private road was dumped & kicked down the road for years and still not turned over to state. Now hoa wants to fix a new road of $40,000.00 with $7,000.00 fund. The empty lot of start-up owner got out of hoa & never pays dues and we pay grass cutting on his lot! Last meeting a vote to improve front entrance if $800.00 was approved when they don't even have for the road. There llc must be nulled-dissolved immediately.

[@jlacson74]

Defund the HOA.

[@one350z]

Be involved, and not all people can live in an HOA.

[@mudd4284]

Good thing shes not fined by the pound....

[@Galworld761]

I am a straight arrow rule following community minded person. NFW that someone is going to tell me how to live on property I own and pay taxes on. Rather deal with issues neighbor to neighbor.

[@tristinyoung3012]

That gives me 3 out of 4 choices.

[@exoressdelivers70]

So what this woman is arguing is that because the HOA president is involved in the company that maintains the pool she should be allowed to run an illegal daycare out of her house and leave garbage cans on the street.

[@KNBARON]

I just clicked on this because I thought TOMMY CHONG was getting screwed again.....

[@lawrenceamccoll6868]

IT'S MUCH EASIER TO SIMPLY OUTLAW HOA'S

[@Raymail-tj4cf]

Most people are happy to live in one. That’s like your boss telling you everyone else is happy we haven’t given a price of living raise in 8 years. Both statements are BS.

[@debbiecomer594]

HOA it's so rubbing me the wrong way it's all wrong I would never live like that

[@basstard4639]

A car on blocks oh no not not a car on blocks.

[@ronmendoza4916]

Best HOA is the one you avoid. I'm planning on buying my very first house. I'll make dam sure the house I buy IS NOT under HOA authority.

[@patricksaxon3983]

But the HOA protects the value of your house.

[@patricksaxon3983]

The HOA is the best organization and every neioghborhood should have an HOA.

[@SC-or2ek]

HOA only good for Sheeple that wanted someone to rule them over For smart people stay away at all cost .😂😂😂

[@mdblue7623]

HOA PUTTING THESE PEOPLE THROUGH HELL

[@PurpleSwan]

HOA's are Gestapo. They should be outlawed or strictly monitored and regulated. Homeowners should have some way to appeal issues they have with out-of-control HOA's. Lawmakers should address this serious issue as soon as possible.

[@chrismayer8432]

My community got rid of the so called Gestapo by electing board members that will undermine most of the rules already in place. See how easy it was to oust those black cladded men in uniforms. Now we have an anarchy. LOL

[@tkonlyme]

Its just dirt. Because you don't rake your lawn lady... But ya screw Hoa's

[@diveaddict6885]

Hoas suck nothing, but problems. As residents WE have no power. Hoas need stricter rules for the property manager and boards

[@bitsnpieces11]

People who are 'happy' to live in one are weak people who don't want to actually be responsible for doing their own work. They want someone else to do it for them.

[@johnhix484]

HOAs should be outlawed or made voluntary by the state government and cities should take on their responsibilities there that they have for the rest of the city. Give members of an HOA the right to quit their HOA.

[@aikibaby]

A fascist HOA does not protect the property value. I would NEVER buy a home in an HOA community.

[@BradleyCaban]

All HOA problems is see is in Texas..That’s not the case here in Florida! HOA’s here in Florida are controlled and there are laws protecting both parties lawfully.

[@BarryDMoss]

HOAs practice selective enforcement as a form of intimidation all the time.

[@princezgeekchic3690]

No one can convince me that the first hoa mentioned actually won their case. I'd bet a lot of them already went to jail

[@whstark]

HAD ONE IN PAST ,

[@whstark]

cost my job and marge so sad. my life .

[@annmurray5746]

fact is your were not suppose to have a daycare. Your a smart woman you like the home. Check the documents read the rules they will apply to you. Also before you buy check the reserves and make sure they are properly funded.

[@agmcroom2374]

Never move into a neighborhood with hoa

[@patriot9455]

Better to pay a lawyer to read and interpret the HOA contract for you, with a detailed explanation, instead of paying a lawyer to sue because the HOA agreement was not clear. FYI, attend every meeting, take notes and ask questions. ask that any decisions be put on hold until the next meeting so you can have your own lawyer look at them and express his/her legal opinion before it is voted on. Let the salesman know you are going to do this.

[@thenormalyears]

so yeah living in an hoa is something that would cost thousands in lawyer fees PER YEAR and you have to spend a lot of your personal time going to meetings etc just to try and preserve your liberty as long as possible

[@phonerefillcenter3]

No they're not because HOAs don't supersede the Constitution and whoever thinks it does should be spending a day or twothen they should then they'll quickly learn what it means not abiding by a Constitution of the United States and that HOAs don't supersede the USand I'm strictly talk about the president of the HOA and the vice president of the HOA that's what I'm talkin about being locked up in jail if they think it supersedes the Constitution they should be locked up in jail for a couple of days

[@MyHeart1955]

Don’t move into a neighborhood with an HOA; If you do, keep your mouth shut and accept what you signed up for. Simple as that. I voted for a Historic District - sorry I did; I keep my mouth shut and do not ask for any improvements other than necessities requested by HO insurance. Accept responsibility for your own actions.

[@darrellepickering8433]

That's fraud!

[@sparkythemagicpiano2867]

Land of the free? Not while HOA’s tell you how to live your life…

[@myriamholly8994]

Does anyone know of a good H.O.A. Lawyer in Florida. They are trying to still my house.

[@spoada]

isn't it funny you pay both county taxes and HOA dues. when people in your neighborhood have hard times and stop paying they make it worse for you and them. put liens on houses with exspensive attorneys. false fines that you can't dispute! if you call the courts or police they say its a civil matter and can't give you advise. its sick and disgusting. I am revitalizing a trashed forclosure and these HOApukes never said hi, just started sending more fines after i paid the previuos owners fines.

[@weotalks2810]

Hoa SHOULD BE BANNED

[@mikeaskme3530]

you live in a HOA community you have created your own problems.

[@phonerefillcenter3]

So you're telling me that the HOA supersedes the ConstitutionI will challenge the whole idea of HOAs because HOAs does not supersede the Constitution if it's Indian territory it's one thing if it's not Indian territory don't what are people doing there pretending that it is these people need to be thrown in jail somebody has to blow the whistle to the authorities

[@phonerefillcenter3]

Don't forget you're not in your own country you're in the USAdon't forget you're not in your own country you're still in the USA and of HOAs think that they're above the law think again because people like me if I have a living on HOA like that I'll be the first one to tattletale to the authorities

[@inspectorcal]

not reformed,,removed.

[@MercyOnMySoul]

DON’T HOLD YOUR BREATH. There will never be a reform on HOA because the bank owns the government.

[@magssr]

Ban HOA’s nation wide.

[@chrismayer8432]

Agreed. Especially when they turn into figureheads and still have to pay the HOA fees.

[@rickdavid6758]

Listen to what I would RATHER do than buy an HOA home.... I would sooner strip naked, and trust me, it ain't pretty, and roll around in iddy biddy shards of glass. Does that say how I feel about the Gestapo of housing?

[@arthenarubin3196]

HOA Are Black Widow Trap

[@110311DONTWANTCHANNE]

sorry, but running a daycare out of a garage is a major issue, not nitpicking.....2 wrongs don't make a right

[@KATingler]

The lyin' Biden admin might have a problem with solar panel denials. lol

[@themachotacoisback4333]

Why would you join a hoa

[@markhellman-pn3hn]

....just like there are few good Nazis?

[@thenormalyears]

one out of ever 4 homes in Texas having an HOA just shows that all that BS that they like to spew about "freedom" is empty as people in Texas seem to want as much rules and authority as possible.

[@thenormalyears]

"I need to get the local boomers permission to have a dog" says the man who bleats about how America is free all day