At the last Nevada legislative session while lobbying various Guardianship bills, I heard several of the representatives I had come to know talking about presenting a bill to eliminate Home Owners’ Associations (HOAs).
I stepped into the office of one assemblyman I knew well and brought that topic into our discussion.
After mentioning that I had been hearing the rumbles about the HOA bill idea, I reminded him of the times I had called him (and other Assembly and Senate members) I had met to talk about HOA issues.
I reminded him off all the times he would slap his hand to his forehead and say “Oh no! not another HOA bill! We talked about what logical changes could be made to address the issues and complaints that homeowners often have relating to HOA management.
The various and numerous fines, rules and regulations that the owners felt interfered with their rights of ownership relating to back yards, reasonable home colors, new rules and regulations and their community’s landscaping seemed to be in the forefront. Many held merit for the owner’s complaints.
Recently that topic once again reared it’s head in the form of some crazy rules, that in my opinion, infringe on our rights – not just as owners but also on rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
For example, members of a certain HOA sanctioned club are not allowed to post anything on blogs or social media concerning said clubs. Wouldn’t that come under our Freedom of Speech protection.?
Another example: Prohibiting storage shed in the backyard. So where does the HOA Board suggest an owner store pool toys, gardening equipment, and lounge chairs during the off season?
Perhaps the garage, but then where does one park their car when on-street parking is forbidden? I’m sure you get my drift.
Let me ask a few questions of homeowners. Do you think you should be allowed to have a wind chime in your yard? Do you think you should be allowed to have a small storage shed, not visible over your rear wall?
Do you feel you should be allowed to have a bench, chairs, or large planter pots in your front yard or perhaps alongside your driveway?
How do you feel when an HOA randomly changes the landscape of a community without getting thoughts from the owners? Another example: Removing a large amount of the community trees and plants leaving baren areas that once were lush with color, shade, etc.
My last question to everyone in rural communities of our city: How long has it been since you saw a rabbit, some quail followed by their young, or wildlife in general?
Shouldn’t the laws governing HOAs confine them to maintenance and care of the general community property, its finances to do so, and scheduling of activities in general that are confined to the community owned facilities?
