Post by High Priestess on Oct 13, 2015 0:05:04 GMT
Shonda posted in June 2015 on Raleigh group:
HOA
Hi All ... It was great to meet some of you at the meet up last week. I wish I could be there next week for the vote but am traveling on the west coast.
I just received a general email from the HOA saying it's come to their attention there are folks in our neighborhood "actively advertising and renting rooms for temporary stays". The covenants state "Each lot shall be used exclusively for single-family, non-transient residential purposes." I know many of you are blazing trails in your neighborhoods. I never rent my home while I'm gone. I'm always present for guests stay. Any advice? I'm expecting I'll receive a letter addressed directly to me soon.
Nic and Rach (Nic & Rach)
How did they find out if you don;t mind me asking ?
The covenants state "Each lot shall be used exclusively for single-family, non-transient residential purposes."
One thing I would strongly advise is to any directive from the HOA with respect and courtesy. Respond promptly via email and in person at any board meeting. As a first step, ask to meet informally with the executive committee, explain your situation and ask for their help to devise a workaround that allows you to keep your home while not annoying fellow community members.
Most people, regardless of the regulatory constraints, want to help others and to be seen as reasonable and generous and with luck they'll work with you rather than against you...
Again, I just don't have answers particularly the " HOA " issues because I heard that they are hard to be fought ... They are unreasonable and stick by their rules. We are sorry that you are in this predicament.
Shonda:
I'm not sure how they learned about it but I've never hidden the fact that I'm doing it. The good news is that I've never had any complaints or noise problems, etc. The other fact is that I am always present when guests are here. Can the HOA really control how often I have guests and if I charge them for staying? (just my take on it). I'll wait for the formal complaint which will give me time to marinate on it.
Nic and Rach
Shonda, If this host can list an entire home in Preston, I don't see why you can't check out his listing: www.airbnb.com/rooms/6936944?s=rBcN
Shonda
Thanks for the info Nic. We can always count on you for research! I'm just going to wait to see if I receive a letter. Until then, business as usual!
Nic and Rach
Exactly ! and I like your positive mentality, please let me know if I can be of help... take care Shonda
Nic and Rach
Yes, HOA can stop you from doing it .. I am sure that there is one homeowner in your neighborhood that possibly mentioned it to the HOA and that is the reason why they sent you a letter saying that " It has come to their attention " and it's good that it's not an infringement letter but the answer to your question is YES they can control you for doing so.it is sad to say but they are more tougher than the Council people.
Cyn
Nic made some good points, in particular "speak directly and respectfully to a board member or HOA administer." In my case I spoke with the HOA admin and she felt I was very knowledgable on this topic and listened carefully. I have not gotten another letter nor a call saying the board is ok or not ok with what we are doing. So we too are in limbo. I am waiting until the July 7 city council vote to decide how to proceed. That said, in our case we only have guests that stay over 29 days and we are always there. The language they used was " running a business from home was not allowed." And we live in a R10 area, which allows for some business activity.
The HOA was alerted by having cars in the parking area that had out of state plates. The admins drive the lots looking for car issues, like out of date tags, traffic, etc.
Every HOA seems to have different language and as usual is up for interpretation. They are very unmoving in my experience. Remember the board is made up of volunteers who work extra hard for no pay to keep the HOA intact. They are just trying to do their job according to the rules that exist. Until an interested group goes to the HOA meeting advocating for change, they will take the easy way out. Enforce the rules, not change the rules. My 2 cents.
HOA
Hi All ... It was great to meet some of you at the meet up last week. I wish I could be there next week for the vote but am traveling on the west coast.
I just received a general email from the HOA saying it's come to their attention there are folks in our neighborhood "actively advertising and renting rooms for temporary stays". The covenants state "Each lot shall be used exclusively for single-family, non-transient residential purposes." I know many of you are blazing trails in your neighborhoods. I never rent my home while I'm gone. I'm always present for guests stay. Any advice? I'm expecting I'll receive a letter addressed directly to me soon.
Nic and Rach (Nic & Rach)
How did they find out if you don;t mind me asking ?
The covenants state "Each lot shall be used exclusively for single-family, non-transient residential purposes."
One thing I would strongly advise is to any directive from the HOA with respect and courtesy. Respond promptly via email and in person at any board meeting. As a first step, ask to meet informally with the executive committee, explain your situation and ask for their help to devise a workaround that allows you to keep your home while not annoying fellow community members.
Most people, regardless of the regulatory constraints, want to help others and to be seen as reasonable and generous and with luck they'll work with you rather than against you...
Again, I just don't have answers particularly the " HOA " issues because I heard that they are hard to be fought ... They are unreasonable and stick by their rules. We are sorry that you are in this predicament.
Shonda:
I'm not sure how they learned about it but I've never hidden the fact that I'm doing it. The good news is that I've never had any complaints or noise problems, etc. The other fact is that I am always present when guests are here. Can the HOA really control how often I have guests and if I charge them for staying? (just my take on it). I'll wait for the formal complaint which will give me time to marinate on it.
Nic and Rach
Shonda, If this host can list an entire home in Preston, I don't see why you can't check out his listing: www.airbnb.com/rooms/6936944?s=rBcN
Shonda
Thanks for the info Nic. We can always count on you for research!
I'm just going to wait to see if I receive a letter. Until then, business as usual!Nic and Rach
Exactly ! and I like your positive mentality, please let me know if I can be of help... take care Shonda
Nic and Rach
Yes, HOA can stop you from doing it .. I am sure that there is one homeowner in your neighborhood that possibly mentioned it to the HOA and that is the reason why they sent you a letter saying that " It has come to their attention " and it's good that it's not an infringement letter but the answer to your question is YES they can control you for doing so.it is sad to say but they are more tougher than the Council people.
Cyn
Nic made some good points, in particular "speak directly and respectfully to a board member or HOA administer." In my case I spoke with the HOA admin and she felt I was very knowledgable on this topic and listened carefully. I have not gotten another letter nor a call saying the board is ok or not ok with what we are doing. So we too are in limbo. I am waiting until the July 7 city council vote to decide how to proceed. That said, in our case we only have guests that stay over 29 days and we are always there. The language they used was " running a business from home was not allowed." And we live in a R10 area, which allows for some business activity.
The HOA was alerted by having cars in the parking area that had out of state plates. The admins drive the lots looking for car issues, like out of date tags, traffic, etc.
Every HOA seems to have different language and as usual is up for interpretation. They are very unmoving in my experience. Remember the board is made up of volunteers who work extra hard for no pay to keep the HOA intact. They are just trying to do their job according to the rules that exist. Until an interested group goes to the HOA meeting advocating for change, they will take the easy way out. Enforce the rules, not change the rules. My 2 cents.
