Charlotte NC couple fined $7000 by homeowners association because their roof is too nice

[Miles Archer]

http://www.wcnc.com/life/home-garden/charlotte-couple-fighting-7000-hoa-fines-over-roof-tiles/470228997

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A Charlotte couple says they are being fined $7,000 because their roof is too nice.

They’ve been fighting with their HOA for six years because they, and many of their neighbors, just don’t get it.

“They said that the shingle is not one of the approved colors and there were three colors as opposed to two,” Robbi explains.

“This all started six years ago when a hail storm hit the neighborhood and several of the homes had to get new roofs all at the same time.”

[Siwsan]

1. Most of us ignored our 'homeowners association', and it went away

I'm not sure when it formed but it was still in place when I moved in. I never get a 'bill' so I think it kind of fell apart. I'm going to be putting up a close line, so I guess I'll find out if anyone still 'participates'.

[Vinnie From Indy]

2. Zero sympathy

These people SIGNED ON TO THE Bylaws & Covenants when they purchased their home.

This is like buying a house next railroad tracks and then bitching about the trains.

[Generic Brad]

3. My association is very strict too

But I knew what I was buying into. Some of the rules, I'm not so crazy about. So I have restrictions on my window treatments and my patio door. At least the pets owners act responsibly, the grounds are well maintained, and parking violators are swiftly dealt with. I give up a little cosmetic individuality for a good community experience. I accept that trade off.

[WhiteTara]

4. Thanks for reminding me why I won't buy

in an HOA area. That is insane. Really.

[JenniferJuniper]

5. "The couple admits they didnt get board approval for their new roof.

'We did not and that is our bad. We should have thought that would be a change that would get approval.'"

Why is this news?

[Girard442]

6. There was once an X-Files where an HOA was controlled by Satanic forces...

... or maybe it was evil space aliens. I forget. Anyway, this prompted Mulder to say, "Still not as bad as some HOAs I've seen."

[Nay]

8. It was a golem. If you broke an HOA rule and didn't fix the problem by nightfall, the

golem came and destroyed you. Remember the guy whose mailbox had been knocked down? He didn't fix it immediately and . . . GOLEM.

It was hilarious.

[NotASurfer]

7. I agree with the HOA except:

Having seen the damage big hailstorms are capable of doing, sometimes it's more important to get the roof replaced expediently than it is to wait for the next meeting of the architectural review board.

The story's a little short on details about that part, but it does sound like at least one neighbor replaced their roof without consulting that review board, and they are not being fined; it shouldn't matter if that neighbor accidentally used an approvable combination of colors, they failed to follow HOA rules and should have had the same penalty. Otherwise it starts to look like the rules are being applied arbitrarily, and that starts to look like the HOA is abusing its authority by selective enforcement.

Again, the article is kind of short on detail; it's possible there's more to the story than a straightforward application of HOA rules. In an emergency situation I say waive the damn rule if it has no bearing on health & safety, and make the homeowners aware they'll have to correct it the next time the roof is replaced.

[jmowreader]

9. Pro tip...

Before buying a house, drive through the neighborhood. If all the homes look exactly alike, ask yourself if you really want to live with that strict an HOA.