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We just bought a house in FL that has an HOA. Today is the HOA meeting, but the meeting is at a really bad time, and right now my husband is deployed/TDY and I can't attend. What happens at these meetings? Are they mandatory? Am I going to get some kind of ticket for not going? It's at 4:00 PM, and my church is at 4:30 PM, and I really can't be there.
We just bought a house in FL that has an HOA. Today is the HOA meeting, but the meeting is at a really bad time, and right now my husband is deployed/TDY and I can't attend. What happens at these meetings?
In my experience it's usually an opportunity for neighbors to gather together in a semi structured manner to complain about each other in a public forum. If you have no bones to pick with anyone they can be quite entertaining.
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Originally Posted by jojo61397
Are they mandatory?
Not in the slightest. As I stated above if you're hard up for entertainment they are actually pretty funny. Sometimes there is valid information provided about the HOA like their budget and what they are spending money on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jojo61397
Am I going to get some kind of ticket for not going? It's at 4:00 PM, and my church is at 4:30 PM, and I really can't be there.
Breathe..... . No tickets or fines will be issued. You'll be fine. Watch your mail or check out the HOA website for a recap of the meeting. There is a secretary that is supposed to take minutes and they should be posted for all to view.
I don't mean to be rude, but You really should have read it before you bought the house. I'm a fan of HOA's but I DO understand why others hate them. Some things that are often included in your 'rule book' (the CC&R's):
The hours you are allowed to put out your trashcan, and when it must be put away. And Where you are allowed to store it.
What kinds of plants, shrubs and flowers are allowed in your front yard.
No dead or under repair vehicles.
How many AND what type of pet you can own (dog breed restrictions are becoming more common).
What color you can paint your house.
Commercial vehicles may not be allowed in the driveway overnight.
No boat or RV parking.
Awnings and basketball hoops must be approved.
How large a flag you can fly in front of your house.
The type of business you can operate out of your home.
So, let's take this to an extreme. You and your husband bought the house so he can run a small auto repair business in your garage. He plans on parking his van, which has signage advertising his business, in the driveway every night. You plan on storing your RV on the side of the house. You own four large digs, and plan on opening a dog breeding business, and want to put a 20 foot flagpole in front of your house, near the basketball hoop for nightly pick up games. You're dreaming about planting roses because they will look so pretty and different from the desert landscaping everyone else has. Oh yeah - eventually, you thought you would paint the house light purple so it really stands out in the neighborhood.
Sounds extreme. Yes, it is. But I've had each and everyone of those scenarios occur in HOA subdivisions. And I was relieved when the HOA stepped in and said NO.
MOST importantly, some HOA's have restrictions on you renting the home. This can be critical should you ever need to rent the home.
Thank you and your husband for your service to our country. And, after you and he have read the CC&R's, let us know if you have questions. Congratulations and many happy years in your new home.
Last edited by Jkgourmet; 09-25-2011 at 08:31 AM..
Attending one (or a few) HOA meetings will give you a very good indication if it is well run, whether there is significant dissention, etc. (Although you should have made an effort to find this out before buying).
If you DON'T attend you should be sure to read the minutes, etc. to at least be aware of any emerging issues. And have a look at the budget to see if things are strained.
What happens at these meetings? Are they mandatory?
Congrats on your new home! And relax about not attending the HOA meeting.
Complaints and questions are raised and decisions may be made at HOA meetings. No, you are absolutely not required to attend -- unless there's something in your HOA rules that makes it mandatory (and, if so, yours would be the only HOA ever for that).
Most homeowners NEVER attend an HOA meeting. I havent attended my HOA meetings in years. (Yes, I know I have no reason to complain about any new rules if I dont attend.)
yeh you want to be careful about flags .. the HOAs will try and stop you from flying an American flag or your service flag .. they do tend to be a bit UN American that way
yup and the citizen/homeowner always seems to lose to the HOAs so please be very careful about doing anything American like flying your country's Flag ..
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. No tickets or fines will be issued. You'll be fine. Watch your mail or check out the HOA website for a recap of the meeting. There is a secretary that is supposed to take minutes and they should be posted for all to view.
