Rant! HOA "storing" issues.

DazedNConfused wrote:
Curious if others have had problems like this. Our neighborhood covenants state that we cannot store RVs at our homes. Since purchasing my 2014 Salem Hemisphere 346QBUD this past April, we have been dealing with numerous non-compliance letters from our community manager about storing our RV there. I secured covered off-site storage before we even took delivery of the coach. It is at my house for 2-3 days prior to a trip and 2-3 days after a trip which allows me to cool down the fridge, load our clothes and food, and then at the other end, clean the inside and outside, and perform routine maintenance.

I received another non-compliance letter last week while I was prepping for long-term winter storage and it was in my driveway for 4 days. I suggested to the community manager that there seems to be an issue revolving around the interpretation of "storing" and that I don't believe the RV being in my driveway while performing prep and maintenance activities is considered storing the RV there.

The letter I received today stated that the community manager discussed this with the board and they were in agreement that having it in my driveway -- even for a single day -- is considered storing it there and I am no longer allowed to bring it home and park it in the driveway.

Now I'm trying to figure out what to do. I don't wish to sell the RV -- but it's also unrealistic for me to perform prep and maintenance in the storage facility.

I am trying remove the emotion and approach this logically and legally -- and what rights, if any, I have. I am thinking of hiring a lawyer to help me interpret what the covenants say -- and if my prep and maintenance activities are or aren't considered storing.

Has anyone else dealt with this?

Thanks,
-DNC

Dazedandconfused: I was the Compliance Director for our HOA. You need to read the Covenants in detail, regarding RV issues. Each HOA has their own Covenant language. I recommend securing a digital copy of the HOA Covenants through the HOA website. Makes for easy searching of wording. Pay special attention to the Covenants as they relate to "curing" or correcting a Notice of Violation. Our Covenants allow a ten day period, from date of receipt of the letter of violation to correct a Notice of Violation.

Logically, you may have X number of days to correct the parking/removal of the RV from your property. When I was on the HOA, a resident could literally park his RV in volation of the Covenants, receive a "registered" letter of violation and be required to correct within ten days. Then RV could logically be parked continously for the next nine days from the date of receipt of the violation letter, move the RV on the tenth day, clearing the violation, return on the eleventh day with the RV and begin the process all over again! That is one way to sidestep the violation. BUT, make sure the Covenants do not have a clause that regards "repeat offenses" and lists a time period for any repeat offenses. Then they would have leverage to issue you a fine.

Yes, pay the fine or it can become a lien on the real property. Also, banks/lenders commonly contact the HOA and determine if there are "any" fines, delinquent H.O. fee's etc; due on the property. This occurs at the time in which you sell/buy a piece of property governed by an HOA. The bank/lender WILL require the payment of all delinquent fees, prior to approving a loan.

To simplify curing your problem, I would meet with the HOA, present your reasoning to temporarily park the RV on your property, and request an "exemption" from the Covenants to park for an agreed amount of day(s), to load and maintain the vehicle. I to have a community storage lot for my RV. BUT, no electricity or water to conduct maintenance, etc. on the RV.

Please let us forum readers know of the outcome. It may benefit a reader, should this occur to them.