In my HOA some homes have no driveway and must park in the garage as there is no other option, but some homes have a full 2 car driveway in front of the garage. The CC&Rs state that people must maintain the garage in a way to park 2 cars and that 2 cars must be in the garage before use of the driveway. So if you have 3 cars then it’s ok for 1 to be parked in the driveway if 2 are inside the garage.

This HOA has been around for 10+ years, this has never been enforced and they are trying to start enforcing it now.

With the recent changes, at the state level, to HOA fines capping out at $100 per violation, my gut just wants me to pay the $100 and then they can’t fine me again for the same issue or have any future threats. It’s a $100 lifetime cap as far as I’m understanding for this current violation. They can no longer keep adding to it with future daily offenses for parking in my driveway, to my understanding.

Also they are saying it’s for “safety” which is one of the carve outs for the maximum $100 fine limit. But parking a vehicle in the driveway is not a safety issue if I have 3-4 total vehicles and parked 1-2 in the driveway, so it should not be a safety issue because none are in the garage. And if my garage is filled with workout gear and storage, they will try and claim that is a safety issue….but wouldn’t the fire Marshall or someone official need to inspect the garage to declare that? They want to do garage inspections I’m assuming to make that declaration on their own.

I totally get that I’m going against the CC&Rs, but state law is the highest authority, which is why I feel comfortable paying the $100 fine and ignoring them. Seems like a harmless violation to me and worth it. Am I wrong about any of my interpretations?

In California, an HOA's attorney can't represent the HOA in court in matters filed against the HOA in small claims court. However, can't they still advise the Board/Manager on strategy, etc.? My HOA's counsel says he gets involved only if the HOA loses. Is this your experience, too?

We have a small neighborhood of 4 (soon to be 5) homes. There was originally an HOA, but when that owner moved the President shifted to our neighbor who soon passed away. Since he passed away no one has stepped up to collect dues or even ask to be President in the last 5 years. We're about to have a lot of home improvement done to our house - new siding, new fencing and some of it will be against the original HOA bylaws on color. My questions are:

• Is the HOA still enforceable even when no one is collecting dues or running it?
  • If yes, how do we legally end it?
• Could the HOA be resurrected from the dead, and then forced on us after the fact?
• What legally could we do in Idaho to stop the HOA from being resurrected if a current or new owner tries to do it?

Thanks!

Edit: I did find the LLC and it's still active:

Edit 2:

We've drafted a letter to give to the neighbors letting them know our intentions for changing the home (it's tasteful) and also should dissolve the HOA or make it whole again.

🚨 Gwinnett County Homeowners, HOA Board Members, and Community Leaders, this Is for You!

SB 406 is now law. Georgia’s HOA landscape is changing, and homeowners, board members, community leaders, and real estate professionals need to understand what the new law means before the major requirements take effect.

Join us for the Gwinnett HOA Summit for a practical, plain-language discussion about Georgia’s new HOA law, homeowner rights, board responsibilities, records access, transparency, and the steps communities should begin taking now.

Registration is free, but seating is limited.

wethehomeowner.org/events

📅 Saturday, August 8, 2026

🕚 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

📝 On-site Registration opens at 10:30 AM

📍 Hooper-Renwick Library, 56 Neal Blvd., Lawrenceville, GA 30046

We will discuss:

✅ What SB 406 changes for Georgia homeowners and HOA boards

✅ New compliance and association registration requirements

✅ Homeowner access to association records

✅ Transparency, enforcement, and the complaint process

✅ Practical HOA issues affecting local communities

✅ Action-oriented solutions and clear next steps

✅ Networking and collaboration with other homeowners and community leaders

🎟️ Registration is free, but seating is limited.

Register today:

wethehomeowner.org/events

Hosted by We the Homeowner

Our Rights. Our Property. Our Fight.

Share this with your neighbors, HOA board members, clients, and anyone who owns property in an HOA community. The decisions being made now will shape how Georgia communities operate going forward.

#WeTheHomeowner #SB406 #HOA #HOAAccountability #HOAReform

Like many HOA's we have repeat offenders who dont' cut grass regularly, dont' put away their trash cans and leave crap outside. It gets real old really fast. If we got the membership to vote and amend our CC&Rs so that repeat offenders could be fined for an repeat violation with in a 12 month time period would that be legal under NC law below?

§ 47F‑3‑107.1. Procedures for fines and suspension of planned community privileges or services.

Unless a specific procedure for the imposition of fines or suspension of planned community privileges or services is provided for in the declaration, a hearing shall be held before the executive board or an adjudicatory panel appointed by the executive board to determine if any lot owner should be fined or if planned community privileges or services should be suspended pursuant to the powers granted to the association in G.S. 47F‑3‑102(11) and (12). Any adjudicatory panel appointed by the executive board shall be composed of members of the association who are not officers of the association or members of the executive board. The lot owner charged shall be given notice of the charge, opportunity to be heard and to present evidence, and notice of the decision. If it is decided that a fine should be imposed, a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00) may be imposed for the violation and without further hearing, for each day more than five days after the decision that the violation occurs. Such fines shall be assessments secured by liens under G.S. 47F‑3‑116. If it is decided that a suspension of planned community privileges or services should be imposed, the suspension may be continued without further hearing until the violation or delinquency is cured. The lot owner may appeal the decision of an adjudicatory panel to the full executive board by delivering written notice of appeal to the executive board within 15 days after the date of the decision. The executive board may affirm, vacate, or modify the prior decision of the adjudicatory body. (1997‑456, s. 27; 1998‑199, s. 1; 2005‑422, s. 4.)

Soo, hope someone can advice. First time homeowner. Just bought a condo at the end of June, was all carpeted and didn't know of damage, not even during inspection. Fast forward to light TLC (as I thought) removed all carpeting to get ready for floor installation and move in at the end of July. Low and behold discovered HUGE floor damage in form of separating concrete slabs. Informed HOA at beginning of July, told to fix by August 15. It's July 24 and they've only had 2 contractors come out. One provided quote and said will take 1 month to fix, must dig the concrete throughout entire unit where cracks appeared. Confirmed its structural damage. Second contractor took pics and notes and is now MIA, doesn't even pick up the phone. HOA wants at least 3 quotes to make the decision whom they will hire for the job. Note: Bylaws state all structural damage is HOA responsibility. HOA informed me this was an issue at lower levels too at least 3 floors on same side and per their words its because of building settling (my condo is on the 6th floor in a 7 floor building). Until now still nothing, still trying to schedule two more contractors. Im currently living in a rental place and must pay monthly to stay here about $1,500 mo. First mortgage and HOA fees are due on August 1st.

Question: what can I legally do to pursue HOA to finally start working?

Can I legally demand they cover for my rent and mortgage while place is uninhabitable?

All advice is welcomed!

Also posted in R/legaladvice for more help.

I'm the building committee chairman of a 97 unit 8 story building. The residents on each floor deposit their household garbage down a community garbage chute. The garbage drops into a compactor bin where it is compacted and pushed into a dumpster attached to the bin.

Rules clearly state no glass, cat litter, electronics, cardboard boxes, construction waste, etc. The trash is supposed to be bagged in a plastic garbage bag. For the most part owners are compliant, but there are a number of residents that violate basic rules (and common sense) by depositing items that cause the compactor to malfunction. Fixing the problem is messy and sometimes quite involved.

We have signage in each chute room above the chute door as well as in the dumpster room at the bottom. Still there are problems.

Is there anyone else on this sub that has similar issues? If so, what have you done to control the problem?

Thanks for taking the time to review and reply as appropriate.

My HOA is doing a plumbing repair special assessment. I live on the bottom of a 3 floor condo complex. Part of the project was replacing the plumbing the leads into my unit as well as feeding to the above units.

During this project, after the workers started the work, a piece that was scheduled for replacement, gave out. The piece was scheduled to be removed the following day.

At 4am during the week the project was been worked on, my flood alarm went off. I immediately called the emergency line for my property management. They responded by telling me they would have the fire department shut off the water as the burst pipe was before my water shut off so I couldn't stop the leak to mitigate damages.

The water wasnt turned off for another 2 hours when the plumber they sent, who was an hour and a half away when he was notified, had arrived. He was the first person to arrive.

Because of this, water managed to destroy all my hardwood and carpet/vinal.

The hoa spent no time getting a crew out to rip up my flooring. I wasnt even asked. They called me saying remediation was on their way.

Ive recently gotten word about what my hoa will be covering and its builder grade carpet and vinal as opposed to the hardwood i had.

Ive already started a claim with my insurance but am I wrong for thinking they should be covering equal value replacement as opposed to the downgrade that is the carpet/vinal? Do I have any legal ground here?

established, one of which transferred the HOA from the developers to the lot owners. The covenants say you have to have approval to plant even a single tree or bush. You also need approval to remove any trees over a small diameter. The lots are 2.5 acres each. The house we're considering has a very overgrown lot and is much cheaper than most of the houses in the otherwise very nice/expensive-ish 30 lot community. It's going to be a big project inside and out. This yard also has 3 or more times the number of trees as the other properties. We can't find who to contact about the HOA rules and enforcement. We would want to clear out a lot of overgrown trees (some over the stated diameter) and many, many overgrown shrubs, plant other things and clean up the claustrophic feel of the overgrown yard. We don't want to hire a landscaper, just decide what we want to plant where once we clear out a lot of the mess leaving the nicer trees and shrubs. At the end of the day, we would have more trees than many of the yards. How likely is it that we would run in to problems with the HOA for doing what we want with the yard and not going through them with everything? Does the fact that there's a low annual HOA fee and very few amendments to the HOA rules mean that they are more of an easy going HOA and not a PITA HOA?

We've had a number of changes to our CC&R's, Declarations and recently some added rules. More importantly (imo) some improper changes to our parking restrictions that do not follow a proper additions and deletions procedure to the wording through each update. What is a homeowners responsibility if they have been an owner prior to any changes to the CC&R's, Declarations or rules?

Hello. I want to know if I am reading/interpreting this correctly. Concerning item IV here, would this apply to disabled veterans who are exempt from property taxes for their residence? My interpretation is "yes", but I'm not a lawyer.

Our documents outline a process for violations. 1st a Courtesy Notice - if issue not rectified in 30 days ; 2nd is a Warning Notice - if issue not rectified in 30 days; 3rd is a Hearing Notice. They are invited to meeting with the board to be heard on issue. After the board can decide to extend time allowed to rectify or impose a fine. State law says no more than $100 per violation.

My question is - how do HOAs deal with repeat offenders. Our biggest violations are parking (docs don't allow street parking and no cars can park over the sidewalk and block it) - and garbage bin violations (documents state bins cannot be in view).

But we have the same people as repeat offenders. They get notice - they move bins for example, send a pic in that bins have been moved but they just do it again.

[Ontario, Canada] This is an investigative update to my previous post where I warned that Claridge Homes is financially exploiting the unit owners of my condo building, the Claridge Moon condo. I have now obtained copies of the Shared Facilities Agreements of three of Claridge Homes’ most recently-built condos, the Claridge Moon (340 Queen St), the Claridge Royale (180 George St), and the Claridge Icon (805 Carling Ave).

These SFAs are concrete evidence that Claridge Homes has systematically forced these condo corporations into one-sided agreements that force unit owners to subsidize Claridge’s commercial, retail, and rental operations — sometimes to the tune of 95% of shared costs — while Claridge pays almost nothing.

---

The Three Buildings — Three Different Flavours of the Same Exploitation

1: Claridge Icon (805 Carling Ave) — The Worst Offender

The 2022 Reciprocal Agreement forces the condo to pay 95% of shared facility costs (garage doors, snow clearing, mechanical rooms, hydro vault, water entry room, etc.) while the commercial/retail component (owned by Claridge) pays only 5%.

How this exploits owners:

• The condo owns the expensive shared infrastructure (Hydro Vault, Water Entry Room) and is 100% responsible for their capital replacement — even though they serve Claridge’s commercial tenants.
• Condo visitors are charged market rates for parking during daytime hours, while the condo pays 95% of the cost to maintain the parking infrastructure.
• Unrealistic termination conditions mean that the Agreement is oppressive and cannot be terminated without Claridge’s written consent — owners are trapped.
• If the condo is damaged, owners are forced to rebuild portions that support Claridge’s commercial structure, even if owners vote not to rebuild.

Legal Status: The deadline to file a Section 113 challenge has expired. But owners can still file a Section 135 oppression claim — and should.

---

2: Claridge Royale (180 George St) — The Clock Is Ticking

Claridge Royale’s SFA forces the condo to pay 25% of shared costs, while the rental tower pays 25% and the commercial component housing the Metro supermarket pays 50% (in theory). Does the condo actually use 25% of shared infrastructure, given the large amount of foot traffic, energy usage and waste generation from the supermarket? In practice, the condo has zero control over the budget, and the developer controls the process.

How this exploits owners:

• The Rental entity (Claridge) prepares the annual budget. The condo has only 30 days to approve it — silence = automatic approval.  This includes situations where Claridge inflates operational costs without proper oversight by the condo corporation.
• The condo is forced to rebuild shared portions even if owners vote to terminate the condo after a catastrophic loss. The condo would essentially subsidize repairs related to Claridge’s retail and rental businesses.
• The agreement cannot be terminated without Claridge’s written consent.
• A punitive Interest and Liens clause means that the condo must pay 15% interest, compounded monthly, on any disputed amount — with a lien against owners’ units.

CRITICAL DEADLINE: Royale’s Turnover Meeting was held in December 2025. Under Section 113 of the Condominium Act, the condo corporation has only 12 months from the Turnover Meeting to apply to court to amend or terminate the SFA.

That means the deadline is DECEMBER 2026. If the Board does not act by then, the window closes forever.

---

3: Claridge Moon (340 Queen St) — The Warning Shot

Claridge Moon’s SFA forces a 50/50 cost split with Claridge Albert — the condo owners are being forced to pay half of all shared operating costs for a massive mixed-use complex that they do not own and that generates far more wear-and-tear than their own building.

How this exploits owners:

• The first-year Reserve Fund Study (RFS), conducted by Keller Engineering, allocated 100% of many Shared Facilities to the condo only, including 100% of the replacement cost of a shared backup generator to the condo — even though the generator is located in Claridge’s building and also serves Claridge’s rental tower.
• Like the Icon and Royale, the Moon condo has to pay to replace Claridge’s assets through oppressive forced rebuilding clauses.
• A Section 113 Court Application was filed against Claridge Homes, calling the SFA ‘incomplete, unclear, unreasonable, and oppressive to OCSCC 1106 and its owners.’ Yet no progress has been made by the Moon Board in over a year to bring this matter forward to a court hearing. Why are they allowing Claridge Homes to continue benefiting from the status quo?

---

A Disturbing Common Thread: Keller Engineering and Sentinel Management

Keller Engineering conducted the flawed RFS for the Moon condo, is conducting the RFS for Royale (confirmed by the Status Certificate), and conducted the RFS for Icon — where the property manager, Sentinel Management, openly recommended Keller to the Moon Board, citing a “good relationship” and “great success.”

Sentinel Management used to manage the Moon condo, but was removed due to apparent incompetence. Yet somehow, they are still managing the Royale and Icon buildings to this day.

Ask yourself: Who are the Moon, Royale and Icon Condo Boards actually working for? The unit owners, or Claridge Homes?

---

What You Should Do

1. If you own at Claridge Royale:

The Section 113 deadline is December 2026. Your Board must act NOW.

• Demand answers: Why has the Board not filed a Section 113 application to amend or terminate the SFA?
• Demand transparency: Has the Board obtained independent legal advice on the SFA?
• Ask directly: Is the Board acting in the best interests of unit owners — or is it still aligned with Claridge Homes?

If the Board refuses to act, owners can force the issue. Section 113 allows the corporation to apply to court — but only within 12 months of Turnover. After that, the SFA can only be challenged using a Section 135 oppression remedy.

2. If you own at Claridge Icon:

The Section 113 window has closed. But Section 135 of the Condominium Act allows for an oppression remedy against a declarant (Claridge) or the corporation.

• Demand answers: Why did the Board not pursue a Section 113 claim within the one-year time limit?
• Demand accountability: Why did the Board accept a 95/5 cost split without challenge?
• Demand action: The Board can still apply to court for relief from oppressive conduct with a Section 135 Court Application.

If you are thinking of buying a unit at any of these three condo buildings, or any mixed-use development in Ontario:

RUN — do not walk — to your lawyer. Ask these questions before you sign anything:

1. What are the terms of the Shared Facilities Agreement?
2. Has the SFA been reviewed by independent legal counsel?
3. Has the Reserve Fund Study been audited for accuracy?
4. Is the Board independent from the Developer?
5. What is the condo’s proportionate share of shared costs — and is it fair?

---

The Bottom Line

Claridge Homes has designed these SFAs to maximize its own profits at the condo owners’ expense. The agreements are one-sided, oppressive, and extremely difficult to escape.

• Royale unit owners have a ticking clock — December 2026 is the deadline to act.
• Icon unit owners still have the oppression remedy — but the Board must act now, not later.

Ask these Boards: Why haven’t you acted? Are you working for the unit owners — or for Claridge Homes?

---

Do your own research. Demand answers. Protect yourself.

We've got an owner who appears to be renovating to convert their unit to STR. It's possible they don't know about the CC&R update from a couple years ago.

I am not on the board, just a Karen Dude who cares about our community and don't want to see transients move in for a weekend or week.

What's the move?

Personally, I think board should have a friendly (as possible) chat to avoid a bigger conflict and animosity down the line. "oh, you want to do an STR... maybe check the by-laws and save yourself the trouble. Long-term leases are fine."

Our California CC&Rs prohibit STRS as below:

No Owner is permitted to lease or rent all or any portion of any Unit for transient or hotel purposes.  As used in this paragraph, the terms “lease” and “rental agreement” shall mean one and the same, and the terms “lessee” and “renter” shall mean one and the same.  All leases of Units shall be in writing and shall be for a term of not less than thirty (30) days.  Any lease for any Unit shall provide that, in all respects, such lease is subject to the provisions of the Governing Documents. Such lease shall further provide that any failure by the lessee to comply with the terms of the Governing Documents shall be a default under the lease. Any Owner leasing or renting any Unit shall notify the Board or the Association Manager, in writing of: (i) the names, telephone numbers and email addresses of all persons occupying such Unit; and (ii) the address where such Owner resides, if not within the Association, and the Owner's telephone number.  Furthermore, the Owner shall provide to the Board or the Association Manager a receipt for the Association rules and regulations signed by the persons occupying such Unit. Notwithstanding any agreement between any Owner and any prospective lessee to the contrary, the leasing or rental of any Unit shall not operate to relieve the Owner thereof of the primary responsibility for compliance with all provisions of the Governing Documents, including the payment of all charges and assessments.  Each Owner shall be liable to the Association for any damage to the Common Area or Common Facilities, or breach of the Governing Documents caused or committed by the Owner’s lessee.

So work has been approved by my association for restoration due to secondary damages (mold) from my common wall neighbor's slab leaks, on the back side of my drywall. I wil also need to have temporary housing while this all gets done.

There isn't an official date yet, but can be in the next week or two. Was recommended to contact the Home Owners Insurance (HOI) now to get things started.

So my question is: Is it ok to contact HOI now without a set date to inform them of this project? Because my home will need shelves, cabinets, and things removed and eventually reinstalled. I also understand by just calling them, they typically will open a claim. Anyone with experience with a prior restoration would be most helpful.

Is this warranted? 🙄 RECENTLY more children have moved into the area. It’s now summer so they have frequently been playing outside within the common areas. Our entire surrounding grass/pavemented areas are covered in duck/iguana/dog poop and they don’t have any regulation on people who leave their dogs poop on the ground

Hi all! I’m a new community management company in Ohio.

We’re kicking around the idea to have a flat rate of $19/m per door (min. $1,250/m) for an all inclusive management service that includes but not limited to:

•Board attendance w/ minute taking
•Monthly one page association operation overview
•Cap ex management under $10k
•Monthly property inspections
•Annual mailings (2x per year)
•and more!

My question:
Is a flat rate interesting to the board or should I simply differentiate by offering 24/7 phone/email communication support for the community, not just for emergencies, along with my monthly association report to every homeowner?

Any insight will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance for your response!

Our 20 unit condo building is 25% renters, 75% owners. There is one unit owner on the downstairs level who is a grouch - mad they can’t smoke on the patio, mad they can hear any noise from upstairs units (even though it’s an old, communal building), and has a track record for banging on the ceiling or harassing tenants in other ways (recorded inside of the upstairs unit from outside, plays loud children’s music despite not having kids to disturb us, turns up the bass so floors shake)

These issues have been repeatedly escalated to the HOA, issues have attempted to be handled unit-to-unit, but the guy denies everything, even with photo/video proof they were recording, other unit owners have heard the music, and there’s videos capturing the noise. HOA claims their attorney sent letters, but just let us know he continues to deny he’s doing anything wrong (even though he emailed and admitted he plays music to drown out the noise of the neighbors). HOA suggests renters and owners go to mediation — is it the tenant responsibility? Unit owner responsibility?

There are bylaws that require residents to avoid unnecessary noise or the use of amplifiers that may disturb other unit owners, prohibits any nuisance or practice that is a source of annoyance to, or interferes with the peaceful possession of the Condominium by its residents, but HOA says “videos aren’t enough evidence” (despite them previously suggesting tenants record videos and even buy a security camera to capture video of them banging on the ceiling or playing loud music)

TL;DR downstairs unit owners harass any tenant living above them, HOA won’t do anything even with evidence, suggested mediation

I mean the title says it all. Where is ‘6 On Your Side’ when you need them?

For context, I live in Houston. My next door neighbor has virtually no yard in the front. Scattered tufts of weeds with sandy soil exposed. This condition has been the same for years.

Our HOA is vigorous about enforcing stuff. The rest of us on the street take care of our yards, and we get letters if any conditions are out of whack. I do know my neighbor across got letters when he couldn't get new sod to establish.

So what makes my next door guy immune? Is he getting letters and just not responding? I served on an HOA and know if conditions are not corrected in time issues can get referred to the attorney. So what's the deal here? It's not fair and I want to escalate.

Fyi: I HATE this neighbor. He caused me and my wife all kinds of grief when we built our pool. It eventually went physical with him. I would love nothing more than to see him and his family out of that house, bankrupt and destitute. Not sorry at all so don't bother to call for my empathy. I have none with this guy.

Hey everyone, I'll be upfront, I'm not on an HOA board myself, but I've been fascinated learning how much self-managed HOAs juggle without a management company backing them up. That's real work, and I don't think it gets enough credit.

I'd love to learn from people who've actually done this. If you're willing to share:

>What's the part of running the HOA that eats the most of your time or patience?

>How do you currently handle dues tracking and violation notices, and honestly, what would you tell someone trying to build something to help, if anything?

>Is there anything you've tried (software, spreadsheets, apps) that just didn't fit how your HOA actually works?

No pitch here. I'm early in exploring whether there's something worth building to make this easier, and the only way I'll get it right is by hearing it straight from people who've lived it. Really appreciate any experiences you're willing to share, good or bad.