Property rights, HOA's and your B van

PSW wrote:
We live in a small gated community of only 17 houses. You have 20 houses so this is a similar situation I suspect. I served on our HOA for years and, like you, we all know each other.

I bring my RV home and work on it, load it, etc., all the time. I forget and really just ignore the specifics of the rules because in the sixteen years since this small addition was developed, we all just decided to be good neighbors, take care of our property and work together on things that come up.

Like your situation, occasionally something will happen that is not in strict compliance with the rules but causes no harm to the neighborhood. Like you stated, a few will comment about it for a week or two then just move on to something else.

Long ago, we all decided something: this is our HOME, not just a house, and we all treat our individual properties in that manner. We all, simply stated, just get along and don't sweat the small stuff.

One guy leaves his boat outside for a week or two at a time. No harm done anyone. No, he doesn't leave it outside all year and no, I don't leave our RV outside all year.

These small HOAs are very different than the larger ones with hundreds of houses. The key is, we know our neighbors are friends and accommodate each other. I suspect your neighbors will do the same.



A simple amendment could be made to your HOA documents stating a length of time allowed if this becomes a problem. If your new guy won't take up your offer to give him a storage area at your commercial space, he is going to be difficult to work with.

As to you, the old saying in dealing with real estate matters is this "It is easier to ask forgiveness than permission". I would continue on as I have been doing. What are you expected to do? Clean and load your RV away from your premises, carry all the stuff back and forth and go to that hassle? Seems to me that reasonableness is a good test.

ALSO, what compliance remedies does the HOA document have for non compliance? That will vary from state to state and HOA to HOA. I think you will find that in most states, even failing to pay the fees can only result in a lien for for when you sell your house.

I suspect given the size of your HOA this will work itself out so that you can keep on doing as you have been doing. I hope so and would appreciate you keeping us advised of the progression of events.

Paul

Wise words Paul and thanks - very much sums up our situation.

When I had my guests come, I talked to the neighbors next door and across the street a few weeks before arrival. I figured that would be a good test of the waters. They were OK with it. One of these is the guy with the TT (across the street).

I figured if the board got stirred up, they'd have to send me a letter to remove it, and then I'd have a certain amount of time to comply, etc. By that time, the week would be over and they'd be gone, and I'd probably have to promise not to do it again. Figured that was the worst case scenario.