Woman left with huge repair bill as HOA refuses to fix fence it maintained for 20yrs – then their excuse made it worse
After her 20-year HOA abruptly left her, a homeowner in Texas whose fence was destroyed by a hurricane now pay a hefty price to have it replaced.
Despite replacing multiple fences over the years, Pauletta Aldridge’s home received nothing but excuses when she requested assistance this summer.
Aldridge has experienced powerful hurricanes like Ike and Harvey since she moved into her Houston home.
Although the gates around her property were damaged and shattered by both storms, she always knew that her HOA would be there to support her.
Everyone benefits from the repairs because one of her gates separates her yard from a public park that the neighborhood shares.
According to Aldridge, the entire fence replacement process only took seventy-two hours.
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Her gates were once again demolished in July as Hurricane Beryl swept through Texas.
After asking her HOA for assistance with the renovations, Aldridge was taken aback when they rejected her request.
In September, she told CBS affiliate KHOU, “They told me that they no longer want to have that expense.”
“You are accountable for it. We do not desire it. We will no longer keep it up.”
Aldridge is now upset about the lack of notice and has been hit with a hefty price.
Homeowners’ dues are collected by HOAs to finance community initiatives.
‘Pathetic’ HOA tears down 90-year-old’s fence then bills her $1,000 for it but they left neighbor’s gate untouched
However, the agreements are subject to sudden changes, and the board determines which specific maintenance is funded by the HOA.
Aldridge and her neighbor are working on a plan to fix the other fence that abuts their property.
Because of the lack of notice, she is still battling the HOA to attempt a last fence repair.
“Just upsets me for them to say that’s not my fence, that’s your fence now,” she continued.
“But it hasn’t been my fence.”
What is an HOA?
A homeowner’s association, or HOA, is present in the area where one in five Americans reside. However, what precisely do they do?
- An HOA is a homeowner’s association – an organization that aims to maintain a clean and cohesive place to live for its residents.
- Entire neighborhoods, subdivisions, condominiums, family homes, or townhouses within “a planned development” will often make up an HOA.
- They also act as a governing body for tenants, who run and fund the HOA through monthly fees.
- Their principal aims are to keep the community functioning and visually appealing and to maintain property values.
- They primarily focus on common areas of a neighborhood, such as roads, parks, and pools – but may also stipulate what residents can do with their properties, such as yards and driveways.
- Often these restrictions enforce uniformity on properties, for example, ensuring most houses look the same and all driveways are clear of weeds.
- An HOA rulebook of covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&R) is distributed to all residents, and an elected volunteer board of directors enforces these regulations.
- Breaking these rules can result in penalties such as fines and even litigation – as most HOAs are incorporated and subject to state law.
- HOAs are often the subject of controversy, with some members feeling that the rules are too punitive and restricting, or that the leadership has too much power.
- But others like that HOAs give communities the power of self-governance, and can ensure a degree of harmony between residents.
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It can be difficult to resolve a dispute with a homeowners association, but it’s crucial to handle the matter coolly and collectedly.
Anybody who wants to alter a rule can ask the board for it and then call a meeting to make their case.
Another option is to get together with your neighbors to protest the board and choose new representatives who will better serve your interests.
If everything else fails, you might need to speak with a lawyer who focuses in property or HOA issues.
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They can assist you understand your rights and options and offer legal guidance.
Following a low-key birthday celebration, a mangot received an odd email from his board, which sparked the HOA drama.
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