Tag Archives: HOA Hell

HOA Drives Man to Commit Suicide

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guest blog by Deborah Goonan

This story brought tears to my eyes! Another one out of Florida.

(man kills himself over emotional support dog)

This on the heels of the man in a Chapel Hill, North Carolina, who killed three neighbors, possibly over parking disputes.

The comments on threads related to the senseless shooting of three young students, who happen to be Muslim, are shocking, disturbing, and heartbreaking. I cannot believe the number of people who believe this “gun-toting atheist” was justified in taking three lives because these three allegedly drove him to that point over parking disputes! Was this a hate crime as well? It wouldn’t surprise me, the way that HOAs are set up to intentionally exclude and harass residents who may be different or unpopular. The social structure just reinforces prejudices.

What is happening to our country, when a significant portion of our population is so unable to deal with conflict that they must resort to abuse, violence, and suicide?

 

 

Now for the Pro-HOA Side!

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In fairness, shouldn’t I once in a while run a post involving someone who’s all in favor of HOAs? Don’t hate me, but here it is. I imagine a number of readers of Neighbors At War can pick this one apart feather by feather and nut by nut!

(link to Hignell HOA Management Company)

 

Blossom Park Condo in FL plagued by crime, drugs, and multiple code violations

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guest blog by Deborah Goonan

This is the fate of a 1970s motel, converted to condos in 2003. By 2010, this low-rent condo hotel was in Receivership. Almost all of these units are leased to tenants, but apparently the Association is not putting the assessments to work, or dealing with a vacancy problem.

The condo complex has been reportedly plagued by drug trafficking, especially heroin, and was the scene of three murders in 2014. Residents say they fear for their safety.

According to reports, Blossom Park Owners Association has racked up $175,000 in code violations from Orange County. The staircases were recently deemed unsafe, and 2nd and 3rd floor residents had to be relocated until repairs can be made. Elevators are also inoperable. Some residents have moved to the first floor, but if repairs are not made to the seven buildings soon, the remaining residents may face eviction.

Where is all the money going? Obviously the owners are collecting rent from tenants (listed on Realtor.com for about $600-$650/month), and at least one resident was interviewed, stating that she pays $200 per month for maintenance fees.  And the attorney receiver states there will be a special assessment to cover the cost of needed repairs and payment of fines.

This is just one example of condo blight in Florida. The question is why does the state of Florida keep allowing condo conversions? What was the logic behind approval of Blossom Park in 2003? Did Orange County really think that an old broken down motel would become an affordable haven for some lucky owners? Or did they count on 350 separate landlords screening their tenants and keeping their units maintained? Clearly, it isn’t working. Orange County has been working with Blossom Park for almost 5 years, and conditions have not improved.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-orange-blossom-park-evictions-20150130-story.html

http://www.wesh.com/news/residents-asked-to-leave-blossom-park-condos-in-orange-county/31056348

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-blossom-park-condos-homicide-20140926-story.html

 

Just When We Thought The Condo World Could Not Get Any Worse!

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guest blog by Nila Ridings

Lately, I’ve learned quite a lot about self-storage. It’s an interesting business where investors own steel structures with no plumbing, limited wiring, concrete slab flooring, and no overnight tenants. Generally speaking the square footage rents for far more than apartment rentals and the maintenance is amazingly less. The laws that protect those who rent these spaces are far more extensive and protective of the tenant than it is for the homeowner that buys into an HOA or COA. The process to cut the lock on a tenant’s unit and sell their contents to the highest bidder is closely adhered to. In addition, when it comes to taking bids for buy-outs the employees better closely adhere to the laws or find themselves in BIG TROUBLE for bid-rigging. (See below)

Much to my displeasure, I recently discovered this new concept called, ‘Garage Condos’ where you buy in and avoid paying monthly for self-storage. Yes, you pay monthly condo fees! There is a volunteer board of directors. They can foreclose for non-payment of dues. And once again, owners are clueless as to the risks. They see the fancy clubhouse, opportunity to customize their garage space, the scheduled social events, and never think twice about signing on the dotted line.

Just when we thought the condo world could not get any worse! Here’s just another way for buyers to take more risks for losing their life’s savings. I could write a list of all the ways I see this concept failing but I’ll let time expose the truth.

The sales representative I spoke with was very enthusiastic and excited to tell me these were already being built in California and Arizona. I’m so sorry they made their way to Kansas!

On the subject of bid-rigging…can somebody explain to me why the FTC has not been riding the backs of property managers, condo takeover investors, and HOA board members? Or have I missed something?
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/prk/4845475986.html

http://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/competition-guidance/guide-antitrust-laws/dealings-competitors/bid-rigging

http://garagekansascity.com/kansas-city-garage-condo/

Comcast Starts Billing Spokane, Washington Customer as “Asshole Brown”

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Homeowners are beleaguered enough with abusive HOA boards and managers.  Many of these HOAs require homeowners to only use the approved cable company to get cable TV and Internet services.

But telephone and TV providers have unparalleled records, themselves, when dealing with people trying to get changes in their service. I experienced the near impossibility of getting a change in my Century Link and Verizon phone service in Colorado last fall so I knows it goes on.

The story from Spokane, Washington linked below is beyond belief. When Ricardo Brown and his wife insisted in cancelling his cable, Comcast began sending bills to his home addressed to “Asshole Brown.”

Incredible!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/29/comcast-asshole-brown_n_6568238.html