My HOA is fining me $100 / day b/c of my DISH! HELP!!!

[Beavis]

Why the hell anyone would live in an area with an HOA is beyond me. Someday I'm building my own house, and dammit I'm having a dish farm on my property.

 

[lou_do]

Why the hell anyone would live in an area with an HOA is beyond me. Someday I'm building my own house, and dammit I'm having a dish farm on my property.

WHY You ask?
1. Property values are higher.
2. Neighborhoods are neat and clean.
3. Keeps the dirt bags that don't want to keep their property up, out of the neighborhood. And, if they do get into it, you can do something about it.
4. Without a HOA one un-kept property can bring down values of the entire neighborhood. Making it hard to sell and causing you to sell at a loss. (Been through this one)
5. A dish or two is fine but you don't have to look at dish farms.

HOA's are only as good as the Board of Directors that run it. There are two ways to run one.
1. As a dictatorship, with board members on an ego trip.
2. Work with the residents to keep the development looking good and keep property values up.

Glad I live in a #2 community.

 

[charper1]

Because there are always bad apples that ruin it for the rest and the neighborhood needs a non-police method to protect itself and the majority of the residents. If you want to live out in the boonies where there are no neighbors for a mile or more then do that, but many of us need to or choose to live in the city with neighbors close by and do not care to see our multi-hundreds of thousand dollar homes plummet in value and our neighborhoods turned into a slum.. The first time you have a dirt bag, drug dealer, an auto shop or junk yard move in next door you will be praying for an HOA. At least with a drug dealer you might be able to get the police to do something, but you better hope they catch them red handed the first time or I bet there will be retaliation hell to pay. 99% of HOAs are perfect, they too have a few bad apples, but vote those leaders out to change that, but I will NEVER live without one again.

 

[meStevo]

WHY You ask?

...

HOA's are only as good as the Board of Directors that run it. There are two ways to run one.
1. As a dictatorship, with board members on an ego trip.
2. Work with the residents to keep the development looking good and keep property values up.

Glad I live in a #2 community.

I think the OP does too. Fines should have started a long time ago based on those email responses he sent.

 

[igator99]

WHY You ask?
1. Property values are higher.
2. Neighborhoods are neat and clean.
3. Keeps the dirt bags that don't want to keep their property up, out of the neighborhood. And, if they do get into it, you can do something about it.
4. Without a HOA one un-kept property can bring down values of the entire neighborhood. Making it hard to sell and causing you to sell at a loss. (Been through this one)
5. A dish or two is fine but you don't have to look at dish farms.

HOA's are only as good as the Board of Directors that run it. There are two ways to run one.
1. As a dictatorship, with board members on an ego trip.
2. Work with the residents to keep the development looking good and keep property values up.

Glad I live in a #2 community.

All of what you have said is right on. It is all up to who is on the board of directors. Some rules I don't understand. One dish can not lower the value of a neighborhood. After all they are easily removed. We have a rule that a neighbor a few doors down ignores. You can not have a boat visable from the street. It is a beautiful boat that he keeps in good condition and has a cover over it. I would like to have his boat. I'm not turning him in. Why would you have that rule?

The guy down the street is our HOA rep and I'm sure he reported me. He thinks he owns the lane. I haven't heard from my HOA so I'm sure they are not going to do anything. This Easter I'm buying some bushes to cover it up as much as possible. If anyone makes a stink after that then I'm ready for a fight.

 

[Mr Tony]

Why the hell anyone would live in an area with an HOA is beyond me. Someday I'm building my own house, and dammit I'm having a dish farm on my property.

I live in a HOA and have a dish farm. At one point, I had 7 (seven!!) dishes on my property
2 30" motorized
18" for 110
18" for 61.5
30" for FTA and 119
37x27 Starchoice dish
6 foot C-Band

I've since condensed to 4 (6 footer, 36" for FTA/119, Toroidal T90 and a 30" motorized)

We run our HOA as #2 as lou do wrote. They originally didnt understand the rules but now we're all on the same page

 

[charper1]

If I can find my old HOA rules and explanations I will post their reasons; we amended our rules because our city. like many around the country are making part of actual law/ordinance. So there must be validity to why they do not want boats, RVs and such out front and in the street. Hell the street is a safety issue at least.

 

[Digital Dude]

When we moved into our current house the HOA freaked out about the Dish and OTA Antenna. They threated me etc and I responded "If you have what it takes to overturn an act of congress, signed into law by the President of the United States, and adminintered by the FCC (while handing them the OTARD) then have at it. I'll have the Feds in your face within a week.

I was elected President of the HOA the next year! Currently have 3 dishes, an OTA antenna, and a wireless internet antenna on the house. I have also put up dishes for 3 others in our HOA and referred 2 of them to the wireless internet provider.

The nosy "female canines" that threw a hissy fit about that and our extensive landscaping shut up and were shouted down by the 90% of cool neighbors that didn't want to pay for attorneys.

When we moved here the HOA was a #1 type, now it's a #2 type.

 

[lou_do]

When we moved into our current house the HOA freaked out about the Dish and OTA Antenna. They threated me etc and I responded "If you have what it takes to overturn an act of congress, signed into law by the President of the United States, and adminintered by the FCC (while handing them the OTARD) then have at it. I'll have the Feds in your face within a week.

I was elected President of the HOA the next year! Currently have 3 dishes, an OTA antenna, and a wireless internet antenna on the house. I have also put up dishes for 3 others in our HOA and referred 2 of them to the wireless internet provider.

The nosy "female canines" that threw a hissy fit about that and our extensive landscaping shut up and were shouted down by the 90% of cool neighbors that didn't want to pay for attorneys.

When we moved here the HOA was a #1 type, now it's a #2 type.

Very simular to my getting involved as a board member of our HOA. I brought it to their attention that the current covenant was in violation of the FCC guidelines. They didn't get all worked up over me bringing it to their attention, but simply looked into my complaint, and found out it was illegal and changed it. Then asked me to run for the board.

 

[chadzx11]

People in our sub called a HOA meeting. It turned into a bitch session right out of the box. Why? The first guy who bought a house here has a small storage building on his corner lot. OMFG!!!!! Another person on the front side had a crappy car, they agreed to move it. YAWN! The thing that set the tone? One set of neighbors bought their kids-----god forbid----a basketball goal. Generally, they play in the "street." I don't have a problem with it. There are a LOT of (bad) things those kids could be doing besides playing basketball. Besides, the street is only 4 houses long.

It basically fell along two lines----the uppity retirees from up north, and those of us from here.

Some people signed covenants, some did not. The first guy in didn't, I didn't.

Hillariously, this spring, one of the old busy bodies set his yard and two of his neighbors yards on fire while attempting to barbecue.

After they failed at the HOA, they decided to try to make Tunica Resorts a town. I was worried about that, but research proves that it is not going to be as easy as they think. Lots of hoops to jump through before we get to vote on it. They have a misinformation website. If you read it, you can see how misguided they are. They think they will be able to support it with taxes off the Casinos. However, my wife is the assistant director of the County Museum, and the county is considering raising property taxes. I will be buying their website when their hold on it runs out, along with every other similar URL. Once I have my websites established, I will line up support from the real players---casino's and business owners--for the opposition.

I moved to the county, and I want to keep it that way. We don't have any crime, and we made it through the subprime lending debacle without gaining any worthless douchebags. No HOA = A/OK.

When they came to get me to sign the petition----they sent the other young dude in the sub. We were shooting the sh*t, when I nailed him. "You know, I am not signing that, right?"

Some things they wanted to do:

Put in Street lights. Well, they did that. It was beautiful out here until they did that Bullsh!t. Sure, it was dark, but there is no crime here. They wanted to put in more, but I think the lights ended up going in lots of vacant/FS homes. On the front side, they didn't put them in yards. There was no way they were putting one on our lot. We paid a premium for a corner.

Sidewalks. They haven't done this, and I will fight like a mother if they ever try. Again, I paid a premium for a larger corner lot. I stand to loose more property and gain a lot more work. I already have a shitload to edge, and this would triple it. No F'n way!

We have an unenforceable satellite rule in the covenants that the people signed (they tried to get the rest of us to sign them, too). Basically, if that rule was legal, nobody could have a satellite because the sub is so small you can see every side of each house. I put mine right above the meter, which just happens to be on the 1/4 of the house that is less visible than the rest--it faces the neighbor's house (currently unoccupied/for rent). I'm safe on that because the guy who owns it is the developer who was pushing the HOA. No way he rents to shitbirds.

 

[lou_do]

People in our sub called a HOA meeting. It turned into a bitch session right out of the box. Why? The first guy who bought a house here has a small storage building on his corner lot. OMFG!!!!! Another person on the front side had a crappy car, they agreed to move it. YAWN! The thing that set the tone? One set of neighbors bought their kids-----god forbid----a basketball goal. Generally, they play in the "street." I don't have a problem with it. There are a LOT of (bad) things those kids could be doing besides playing basketball. Besides, the street is only 4 houses long.

It basically fell along two lines----the uppity retirees from up north, and those of us from here.

Some people signed covenants, some did not. The first guy in didn't, I didn't.

Hillariously, this spring, one of the old busy bodies set his yard and two of his neighbors yards on fire while attempting to barbecue.

After they failed at the HOA, they decided to try to make Tunica Resorts a town. I was worried about that, but research proves that it is not going to be as easy as they think. Lots of hoops to jump through before we get to vote on it. They have a misinformation website. If you read it, you can see how misguided they are. They think they will be able to support it with taxes off the Casinos. However, my wife is the assistant director of the County Museum, and the county is considering raising property taxes. I will be buying their website when their hold on it runs out, along with every other similar URL. Once I have my websites established, I will line up support from the real players---casino's and business owners--for the opposition.

I moved to the county, and I want to keep it that way. We don't have any crime, and we made it through the subprime lending debacle without gaining any worthless douchebags. No HOA = A/OK.

When they came to get me to sign the petition----they sent the other young dude in the sub. We were shooting the sh*t, when I nailed him. "You know, I am not signing that, right?"

Some things they wanted to do:

Put in Street lights. Well, they did that. It was beautiful out here until they did that Bullsh!t. Sure, it was dark, but there is no crime here. They wanted to put in more, but I think the lights ended up going in lots of vacant/FS homes. On the front side, they didn't put them in yards. There was no way they were putting one on our lot. We paid a premium for a corner.

Sidewalks. They haven't done this, and I will fight like a mother if they ever try. Again, I paid a premium for a larger corner lot. I stand to loose more property and gain a lot more work. I already have a shitload to edge, and this would triple it. No F'n way!

We have an unenforceable satellite rule in the covenants that the people signed (they tried to get the rest of us to sign them, too). Basically, if that rule was legal, nobody could have a satellite because the sub is so small you can see every side of each house. I put mine right above the meter, which just happens to be on the 1/4 of the house that is less visible than the rest--it faces the neighbor's house (currently unoccupied/for rent). I'm safe on that because the guy who owns it is the developer who was pushing the HOA. No way he rents to shitbirds.

Your HOA seems to be a very different one from any I have ever heard of. Signing for covenants, at a meeting?? In most established HOA communities you are told when you purchase the home that it has a HOA. When you close on the property you are given the coventants and sign for them. Strange they are doing it at a meeting. Are they just trying to establish a HOA now?

 

[Beavis]

I guess since I'm not a homeowner I have had no experience with HOA's. It's good to know they aren't all bloodsucking parasites.

 

[jpn]

I guess since I'm not a homeowner I have had no experience with HOA's. It's good to know they aren't all bloodsucking parasites.

The developer in my subdivision wrote covenants so that the houses would have uniform curb appeal. If another developer bought lots and built on them, he'd have to comply with the covenants to the extent of tree-removal, type of siding, depth from the street, etc. When the subdivision was done, the homeowners opted to skip the HOA formation. Still, I was certain to read and understand the covenants before we bought our house.

It's made for a nice neighborhood, people take care of their property without paying dues or having un-necessary restrictions. There isn't much worse than having a nice home, well cared-for, and having the Beverly Hillbilly's as neighbors. If I wanted that kind of neighborhood, I'd buy elsewhere for less money.

One of my neigbors offered this viewpoint: there's no HOA, nobody to stop you from installing a dish; adding a storage shed; enlarging your deck; or adding a pool. But there's also nobody to stop somebody from dropping a trailer onto the empty lot next door.

 

[GeorgeLV]

One of my neigbors offered this viewpoint: there's no HOA, nobody to stop you from installing a dish; adding a storage shed; enlarging your deck; or adding a pool. But there's also nobody to stop somebody from dropping a trailer onto the empty lot next door.

Don't forget about municipal codes. In many jurisdictions you certainly can not put a trailer on an empty lot without the proper zoning and permits.

 

[bonscott87]

Don't forget about municipal codes. In many jurisdictions you certainly can not put a trailer on an empty lot without the proper zoning and permits.

I was about to say that. In both cities in my area this would be illegal.

 

[psnarula]

I really hope they (the OP and his brother) keep us updated.

i'll post an update as soon as i hear something...

 

[Claude Greiner]

Any homeowner who wishes to install an antenna or a satellite dish should submit a sketch showing its location relative to the home to the Architectural Control Review Committee.

This right here is the biggest pile of bull sh*t I have ever heard of. I don't know how many customers who live in apartments have asked me to sketch them up a drawing, I refuse to do it and told the customers to hire a professional!

No way in hell in doing it and then being forced to go and move it becaise the actual install it an inch off of the sketches!

 

[jpn]

Don't forget about municipal codes. In many jurisdictions you certainly can not put a trailer on an empty lot without the proper zoning and permits.

Yet in some rapidly growing areas it's not forbidden by code. Anyway the trailer was an example. Any number of things could be done that would be unsightly or otherwise limit your enjoyment of property. At my previous home, one neighbor painted his house the brightest blue available to piss-off the guy next door (whose house just went on the market); then re-painted the house after the neighbor sold his house for below market value.

 

[jpn]

This right here is the biggest pile of bull sh*t I have ever heard of. I don't know how many customers who live in apartments have asked me to sketch them up a drawing, I refuse to do it and told the customers to hire a professional!

No way in hell in doing it and then being forced to go and move it becaise the actual install it an inch off of the sketches!

Here you've got to relax a bit. It's the homeowner's responsibiltiy to provide the sketch; not the installer's. Rather than tell him to hire a pro, you could ask the homeowner to sketch the building, then the installer simply puts an 'X' where the dish is to be installed.

Also, if a customer mentions a review board, then the installer ought to be doing a site-survey only on his first visit; not a full installation.

The review board usually isn't concerned about inches, but sight-lines. A sketch is not a blue-print. They want to know if it will be placed within view from the street. When the installer returns to do the installation, he ought to show the customer where it's getting installed and ask whether the customer objects. If the customer signs-off on it, shouldn't any subsequent movement be considered a paid return visit? Custom installation?

 

[chadzx11]

Your HOA seems to be a very different one from any I have ever heard of. Signing for covenants, at a meeting?? In most established HOA communities you are told when you purchase the home that it has a HOA. When you close on the property you are given the coventants and sign for them. Strange they are doing it at a meeting. Are they just trying to establish a HOA now?

We don't have an HOA. They were trying to start one. The supporters of the HOA made a huge impression by turning the meeting into a giant bitch session. There was enough dissent to make it a moot point, although they did talk about starting one without us, in which case we would not have been subject to their rules/fees/dues. They may actually have gone through with it. I don't know. Those of us that are vets were on the opposition. I gave up 5 years of my life to serve this country in support of the Constitution. I am not about to sign away any of my rights voluntarily.