guest blog by Nila Ridings
Sandra Thomas bought a condo at the Wyckford Mews in 1997 and agreed to the by-laws, which include a pet clause. Only two pets per unit. But this board is fining her, claiming she was given the wrong CC&Rs SIXTEEN years ago and only one pet is allowed!
Sandra pleaded her case for grandfathering. Oh no! They don’t do that at Wyckford Mews. So, pick your favorite; dog or cat, and take the other to a shelter or wherever…Wyckford Mews could care less! Until you comply, the fines are $100 each.
Forget about calling your board members, Gerald Rowan or Josh Quinn. They don’t return calls. (Since every HOA story seems to have board members who don’t answer phone calls or knocks at the door, I am wondering if that instruction is written in the CAI HOA-101 class syllabus?).
Running to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office won’t do you much good. You’ll no doubt get the same response as homeowners get in the other 49 states. Expect to hear, “This is a civil matter! Go hire a lawyer!”
Some Wyckford Mews condo owners are fearful, but think they have figured this HOA scam out. Absurd fines for things like parking your bicycle over time, (Have I been out to lunch? Do they have meters for that now, too?) leaving your shoes in the hallway, or for no reason at all, place the condo owner into the “not in good standing” classification. Therefore, they cannot run for the board or vote in the board election.
Sandra, vote with your feet and paws! Pack up your dog and cat, and GET OUT while you still can! The torture by the rogue HOA board members has just begun! And it won’t get better with time!
P.S. With Halloween just around the corner, DO NOT BUY A PUMPKIN to display. You could end up with another $100 fine. Of course, in the language of HOAs that would be considered a “treat.” Compliments of your HOA board goblins!
