Our Neighborhood Doesn’t Need Fixing
Our neighborhood is at a crossroads. We appreciate the hard work of our volunteer HOA board, funded by donations from residents. However, the proposed HOA covenants represent a dramatic departure from the friendly voluntary association that maintains the entrances and mows the Entergy right of way (what they call the “park”). We don’t need an aggressive HOA.
The Case Against Rechartering the HOA
The Sandalwood HOA Covenants expired years ago and we’ve been continuing under a voluntary association. The proposed covenants bear little resemblance to our original HOA and result in much more power in the hands of the HOA board — and higher expenses for all of us.
Special Assessments
The new HOA board would be able to levy a special assessment against all members of the neighborhood for any project they choose. It’s easy to spend someone else’s money. New neighborhood gates? Pavillion at the “park”? New curbs and drainage for older parts of the neighborhood? We’re all on the hook.
Fines and Fees
If any aspect of your home doesn’t meet the HOA board’s arbitrary expectations, they can order you to fix the “problem” within 10 days. If you don’t, they pick a contractor to do the work and bill you for it — plus administrative and legal fees.
Membership Dues
The board can change membership dues at any time — and if you don’t pay, they can place a lien on your home including legal fees!
Neighbor vs. Neighbor
You don’t have to look hard to find plenty of examples of HOA overreach in other neighborhoods. We don’t need the drama!
- Ex-HOA President Charged with Embezzlement [via JJ]
- Judge rules in favor of group seeking to end post-covenant Diamondhead POA dues [via SeacoastEcho]
- HOA looks to shut down backyard pitching lessons [via WJTV]
- Ex-property manager sentenced to 4.5 years after pleading guilty to embezzling HOA money [via WLBT]
- HOA Patio Dispute [via WLBT]
Lowering Home Values
Due to HOAs negative reputation generally, many buyers today specifically tell their agents they won’t look at homes with an HOA. Why limit our future market?
Unnecessary in Madison
Thanks to the foresight of Mayor Mary, the City of Madison already has the strongest zoning and code enforcement in Mississippi. We don’t need an additional layer of bureaucracy — and expense — to keep Sandalwood as the best place to raise a family in Madison.
Less Individuality
Sandalwood was specifically built as a neighborhood celebrating individuality. The original covenants provided that no house plan could duplicate another and the exterior finishes had to be different from the others on the block. The new HOA covenants move toward a cookie-cutter subdivision with requirements for standardized mailboxes and approved home colors. We all moved moved to Sandalwood for its unique character.
Additional Expenses
Our neighborhood is a wonderful mix of people from all stages of life. From young families just starting out to seniors enjoying well-deserved retirements. Unexpected financial assessments, fines, and dues increases can add stress and additional pressures to already tight household budgets.
A Permanent HOA?
Our original HOA expired after 30 years and required the vote of 70% of the houses in each section to renew. This ensures that the HOA doesn’t outlive its usefulness. The new HOA covenants take the opposite approach. The covenants automatically renew after 20 years in 10 year increments and have to be voted on the membership to end.
Dive Deeper with Annotated Covenants
Want to dig into the weeds of the proposed covenants? Check out our neighbor-sourced annotated document and add your thoughts!
Learn more about the
HOA problem
HOAs nationwide maintain large lobbying efforts for strongarm associations — quite frankly, there’s a lot of money in HOA management. Moving our neighborhood to this style HOA would make us a target for an outsourced management company. These companies take the enforcement of policies off the hands of the Board, but result in even higher rates of fines and fees (most management companies receive a percentage based on actions taken, thus incentivizing aggressive HOA policing). Explore these articles from Independent American Communities:
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