ST - is it a SUV? SUT? Truck?

[Nelson Atwell]

I would fight the "truck parking" citation, as most city ordinances were written

to define trucks as semis or commercial vehicles, and most homeowner association

rules and regulations (covenants) were written by uppity, better-than-thou types

who have nothing better to do with their day than to stroll around the neighborhood

and see how they can make life rougher on those around them! -- tracnblack

I tend to agree with this statement, but it is not always the case. Our homeowners association has existed since 1984, and the covenant has pretty much been unchanged since it was written. It is not lengthy, but does set some rules as to pool rules, parking rules, use of the common areas to include the lake adjoining our complex and maintenance of facilities. The rules are not overly restrictive, but are meant to keep people from parking in the yards or on the tennis court and prevent us having any lime-green houses.



Since the association has been around so long and the homes are getting older a big complaint now is that many of the original owners have sold their homes to real estate management companies. This has increased the number of renters in the neighborhood to about 40%. Some of these companies do not maintain their property to the same standard as the owner-residents. They also occasionally rent to undesirables (of course we have undesirable owners living here too). The owner-residents are concerned that the rental properties bring down the resale value of their homes. They're also concerned that if more owners sell to these companies, then they can all vote together and ban the association altogether.



I can sympathize with these owners, but I also try to remind them that the neighborhood is safe and it is surrounded by half-million dollar homes and it is across the street from the best Junior High school in the city. These facts tend to negate the fact that a few of our neighbors don't keep their places up.



I think of our association as a co-op. We pay $26.50/month for use and maintenance of a pool and tennis court and all the other common areas. In addition, the associations pays to have every lawn mowed and edged on a weekly basis. In my mind the lawn service pays for my dues, because I couldn't get my lawn mowed once a month for that price. It gives me piece of mind knowing that if I deploy for 4 months to Iraq, I don't have to worry about my lawn being four feet tall when I return.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Gavin says:

I'd ball-bat the idiot who puts one of those on my truck.

Angry much? How was your first time in jail? If you haven't been yet, then with that tough-guy attitude you can expect you will be one day. Seriously Gavin, would you REALLY hit somebody with a bat if they put something under the windshield wiper of your truck, REALLY?



Homeowner's associations are within their rights to make up any stupid old silly regulation they want. Parking within their grounds is a priviledge, not a right.



TJR