HOA demands $29k from every homeowner in bitter battle over ‘muddy mess’ – & angry neighbors are turning on each other
A NEIGHBORHOOD has descended into chaos after its HOA demanded $29,000 from each resident to maintain a lake that only a few people can enjoy.
Residents of the neighborhood outside Atlanta, Georgia, are at war with one another over who should pay to fix the dam in the center of the subdivision.
“There’s been a lot of tears. There’s been a lot of tears over these past couple of weeks, months, and days,” homeowner Asya Richardson Green told WSB-TV.
“People are scared that they’re going to lose their homes.”
On Tuesday, homeowners clashed in explosive arguments before choosing to oust the HOA board at Lake Dow Estates.
Dramatic video taken inside the event space showed residents yelling across the room at one another as moderators begged them to calm down.
read more news stories
Cops were called to keep the peace as the bitter divide widened over what should happen to the lake located in the neighborhood.
A few years ago, Georgia officials determined the lake was unsafe, and said either the water levels in the lake needed to be lowered, or the dam inside should be repaired.
However, it takes an eye watering $8.9 million to make the repairs, meaning residents must pay $29,000 for each acre they own.
Now, the water has been drained off, and lakefront property owners are stuck looking at a muddy mess.
But residents who live away from the lake say the eyesore isn’t their problem.
The HOA board sent out a notice of an assessment warning of the fee, and an all out war was sparked in the community.
‘Pathetic’ HOA tears down 90-year-old’s fence then bills her $1,000 for it but they left neighbor’s gate untouched
“We’ve always had a wonderful neighborhood, and it’s completely changed,” homeowner Charlotte Burton told Fox affiliate WAGA.
Another 30-year resident, Kristine Bobo, said, “There’s a lot of people who don’t want to pay for it.”
In Tuesday’s emotional meeting, HOA members demanded an election to vote for new board members.
The board complied with the request and chose to step down.
The residents chose their new leaders, and this board now has to determine how to deal with the lake issue.
What is an HOA?
One in five Americans live in an area with a Homeowners’ Association – or HOA. But what exactly is it that 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.
Homeowner Pkale Robinson blasted the fine, and said those who actually enjoy the lakefront view “should cover more of the cost.”
Meanwhile, resident Beck Kennedy said, “They’ve known it’s coming for so long, that if you didn’t like it and didn’t want to fix the lake, why didn’t you sell and get out of this neighborhood.
“You knew it was coming so why haven’t been planning for it.”
Another homeowner, Richardson Green, simply said the fee wasn’t right.
Demetria Bolar, who stepped down from the board, said the drained lake has left nearby residents sad.
Read More on The US Sun
“People just have an empty hole of mud with trees and what it’s doing to the value of our homes,” she said.
“Not being able to come out and enjoy your backyard is sad.”
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!