Rules for Thee: The Homeowners Association and Prohibited Items
This series begins with the post, Rules for Thee: The Homeowners Association Community Standards. Moving on to “Prohibited Items,” this is what it says for my HOA-governed neighborhood (emphasis mine):
Certain alterations/conditions are not allowed within the Declaration without the written approval of the Board as submitted by the ACC. These include, but are not limited to those listed below. They are considered to be in VIOLATION and subject to immediate action by the ACC through the Violation Procedures as amended from time to time.
•Window Air Conditioning Units
•Satellite Dishes over 39.37 in.
•Aluminum, metal, plastic, or fiberglass roofs where the roof pitch is equal to or greater than 3/12 unless covered by composite asphalt/fiberglass multi-tab or dimensional shingles.
•Wood or asphalt mineral surface roll roofs
•Plastic or Artificial flowers.
The first major problem I had in my new house was the a/c. Within two or three years, it needed new coils because mine were freezing up and the type I had was outdated and no longer on the market. WTF! Next, I needed a new fan motor because mine burned out. That was between year three and four. By year five or six, the a/c was irreparable, and the cost for replacement was $9k!!! Thankfully, it went out in the “fall” or I probably would have died.
So, for a year or so, I had one a/c window unit in the back. Next, I added another to the front. Then, I added a portable one that had a part you had to put to the window, but it didn’t hang out the window. It was hot AF in this house! I gathered a fraction of the money then applied for a bank loan to finance a new unit.
I wrote all that to say not one time did the HOA say anything. There were other “violators” in the neighborhood. And I actually didn’t know it was against “Community Standards” until a gracious informant clued me in. Plus, I have definitely seen artificial flowers. Do you really think homeowners are asking for permission from the “Architecture Committee” for box air conditioners and fake ass flowers?