I have a question regarding my Home Owners Association (HOA).
I had left a sign in the back of my vehicle on a Friday evening. When I arrived back home ~9:00pm I had an envelope taped to my front door. It was on letterhead from the HOA, ( not signed by any person) saying that I was in violation of a sign covenant and if the sign was not removed by 12:00AM (3 hours later) I would be fined $500 per day until it was removed and no longer visible. The letter stated that if the sign was removed by midnight no fine would be accessed but if it was still visible the following morning the fine would start at $500 per day beginning on that day. It also stated a copy had been sent certified mail and I would receive it in a few days. I doubted the validity of the letter but removed the sign before midnight as per the letter to avoid the chance of any penalty until I could check on the validity of the letter. The sign was removed and not visible in the morning, since midnight. I sent a letter to all parties copied on the original letter stating I had removed the sign as requested and felt I had conformed to the actions stated in the letter. I sent this letter certified also for my records.
However, the very next morning I got a call saying that the sign was gone but they understood there was some lettering or marking written in the dust on the back windshield of one of the vehicles in the driveway so they considered a sign still present and intend to institute a fine of $1000, ($500 per day beginning the day of the first letter. I tried to ask just what it was they wanted but they only said it was spelled out in the letter. I washed the vehicles immediately and do not know what they are wanting but are afraid they plan to access a $1000 fine that I do not agree with. This vehicle was not even present the day before so I had no idea scribbling in the dust on the vehicle window was also considered a sign. If that is the case should not every vehicle sticker in the neighborhood be removed, those are actual signs? Go team, my kids an honor student, vote for, etc...
Does anyone have any advice to help calm my nerves on this matter? I feel I complied to the requests. I know the other homeowners had not complained but since the neighborhood is not built out, the builder is still the majority share holder of the HOA and imposes this at their will.
I have never had any interaction with the HOA before this and do not understand how such a swift assessment/violation can be accessed without some understanding of the issues.
I had left a sign in the back of my vehicle on a Friday evening. When I arrived back home ~9:00pm I had an envelope taped to my front door. It was on letterhead from the HOA, ( not signed by any person) saying that I was in violation of a sign covenant and if the sign was not removed by 12:00AM (3 hours later) I would be fined $500 per day until it was removed and no longer visible. The letter stated that if the sign was removed by midnight no fine would be accessed but if it was still visible the following morning the fine would start at $500 per day beginning on that day. It also stated a copy had been sent certified mail and I would receive it in a few days. I doubted the validity of the letter but removed the sign before midnight as per the letter to avoid the chance of any penalty until I could check on the validity of the letter. The sign was removed and not visible in the morning, since midnight. I sent a letter to all parties copied on the original letter stating I had removed the sign as requested and felt I had conformed to the actions stated in the letter. I sent this letter certified also for my records.
However, the very next morning I got a call saying that the sign was gone but they understood there was some lettering or marking written in the dust on the back windshield of one of the vehicles in the driveway so they considered a sign still present and intend to institute a fine of $1000, ($500 per day beginning the day of the first letter. I tried to ask just what it was they wanted but they only said it was spelled out in the letter. I washed the vehicles immediately and do not know what they are wanting but are afraid they plan to access a $1000 fine that I do not agree with. This vehicle was not even present the day before so I had no idea scribbling in the dust on the vehicle window was also considered a sign. If that is the case should not every vehicle sticker in the neighborhood be removed, those are actual signs? Go team, my kids an honor student, vote for, etc...
Does anyone have any advice to help calm my nerves on this matter? I feel I complied to the requests. I know the other homeowners had not complained but since the neighborhood is not built out, the builder is still the majority share holder of the HOA and imposes this at their will.
I have never had any interaction with the HOA before this and do not understand how such a swift assessment/violation can be accessed without some understanding of the issues.
