Florida and Nevada are probably the worst states in the country for HOA abuse. There are a thousand ways to steal private homes from their rightful owners, and it happens many times each day, probably each hour. It’s a national tragedy that state and federal politicians are absolutely unwilling to examine. No, it’s much easier to turn your back in the direction of the proffered cash. A shame, for sure.
At least more and more members of the media are ‘getting it.’ The latest is Orlando Sentinel reporter Beth Kassab. Yes, if she Googles her own name, she’ll see this post!
(HOA abuses need reform: Orlando Sentinel and Beth Kassab)
Thank you for blogging about this, Ward Lucas. I have to disagree with you though. If there was anyone who would truthfully, factually and accurately report on the HOA criminality, HOA homeowner atrocities and HOA homeowner property thefts, along with the collusion, corruption, injustices and lack of due process, protections of the law and outright denial of the rights of targeted, farmed, selectively chosen to be discriminated against, or slapped HOA homeowners and the roles of some attorneys and some judges, or former judges, I believe you may find that these horrific HOA homeowner abuses, crimes and property thefts are worse in Pennsylvania than either Nevada, or Florida. Of course Nevada and Florida have greater numbers of HOAs, but I believe two counties in Pennsylvania, Monroe and Pike have the greatest number of people in some kind of HOA based upon population size in the USA. This is what the one report on HOAs stated some years back. The HOA homeowner crimes, atrocities and property thefts, along with the judicial and legal abuses are just kept secretive in Pennsylvania. I trust the press will not write about most of them, or report on them because they involve crimes being committed by lawyers and judges and many are gender, life status, age, and/or greed driven, malicious and egregious, self serving crimes against innocent HOA homeowners! Sure, once in a while you will see a report on HOA election fraud, or some investor coming in and buying the controlling vote of an HOA, or condo, but the truly life devastating and destructive HOA homeowner abuses and criminality against innocent HOA homeowners and their families goes unreported. HOA victims in Pennsylvania have complained for years, contacted countless elected officials, DA’s, AG, US Attorney’s, Office of Inspector General, FBI, PA Human Relations, County Commissioners, and countless DC agencies and nothing has been done to assist, or even investigate. I “hear” it has to be over a million dollars for the FBI to get involved. So, if you are an HOA victim and it is under a million, “you and your family don’t count.”? What if they added up the crimes against HOA homeowners by just one of these abusive and criminal enterprises in Pennsylvania? I am sure the combined losses of homeowners in each of these HOAs would be over a million. They obviously work hard to keep all of this a secret and the majority of the general public unaware!
Cynthia,
I agree with your assessment (excuse the unrelated pun). California too, is a hotbed of abusive bully boards, rigged board elections, corrupt property managers, vendor kickbacks, misuse/embezzlement of association funds, etc.
There are few laws on the books owners can resort to fight these abusive and illegal actions, other than to hire an attorney at great expense to the owner. The Attorney General’s office will only get involved in relatively minor offenses, e.g the Association not providing eligible HOA records within 10 business days. California has a few outstanding homeowner advocate groups attempting to change the statutes but they are understaffed and hindered by HOA special interest groups like CAI and it’s generous contributions to members of the state legislature.
Buying into a CID is a ticket to misery and abuse with little recourse. Homeowner apathy and ignorance just feeds the Beast!!!