Our lawn in previous, much rainier years
The previously mentioned League City watering ban was lifted less than a week after it was implemented. We’re under water rationing now, but I can water my yard twice a week with a sprinkler — and I can stand out there with hose in hand any day at any time. I watered our lawn last night and I swear it already looked better this morning! Our neighborhood is still new and the trees are small so our front yard bakes in the full sun and 100-degree heat ALL. DAY. LONG. It doesn’t look great, but at least it’s still alive, which is the goal. I really don’t want to have to re-sod next spring.
A friend of mine was pondering whether she could paint her front door a fun, bright color. I ended up scanning through some of our Homeowner’s Association documents wondering what the answer would be in our neighborhood. This is the problem with HOAs — you can’t even do something minor like paint a front door without wondering if you’ll incur their wrath. We’ve been in our house for two years and have gotten two letters from the HOA, so I figure that’s not too bad. Both politely informed us that we needed to mow and edge our lawn. Both arrived a few days AFTER we had mowed and edged our lawn. Whatever.
Anyway, some of the items in the deed restrictions make me laugh. First: no antennas or satellite dishes that are visible from the street. (This rule is broken all the time.) Second: No swine or poultry, and absolutely no more than 4 cats and/or dogs. Third: You must have window coverings, and temporary/disposable coverings “not consistent with the aesthetics of the neighborhood” are not allowed. Four: You may not run a pawn shop or a bingo hall from your house. Or refine petroleum on your property. Or run a massage parlor or modeling studio because those are included in the category of “salacious activities.”
Also: my neighbor who keeps their trash can next to their garage such that their trash often blows into my flowerbeds? Not allowed!
Also, one that doesn’t make me laugh: the HOA can enter your home — without notice, at any time — to reduce fire hazards or prevent rat infestation.
Your house looks fantastic.
I used to be totally anti HOA from listening to Becca’s rants. Then I bought a house, and my neighbors did things like leave toilets in their front yards. For weeks. I now understand the benefit of a HOA very well.
Still, why can’t there be a happy medium? I want a HOA that curbs extreme behavior, but I don’t want one that can enter my house at any time. That’s insane!
Jen O, that’s called a city. Zoning and city ordinances can deal with really egregious things, hazards, unsanitary items like leaving trash in the yard, building multiple homes on a small lot, etc. HOA is just a weird for-profit (since most HOA rules are enforced by a for profit community management company) version of a city ordinance.
Agree on the happy medium, if they didn’t send letters for minor things like letting your grass grow one extra day too long and focused ont he big stuff, I wouldn’t have a problem with them. I also think they shouldn’t have the power to foreclose on your house. If you are past due on your dues, they should be able to put a lein and it can all be resolved with the house sells. Its insane that they can foreclose on you.
ok end rant.