Saturday, May 30, 2009

The Perils of Condo HOA's

Having gone through my own trials and tribulations with the HOA of the condo complex I bought into, I can sympathize with this story anyway. But in this case, with the media getting this into the public eye, this is one HOA president that is likely to be very sorry he let his power go to his head.

I've seen problems come up repeatedly with condo boards. It seems no matter how well-meaning each board starts out, something comes up that is ridiculous to most people, but there will be one or two board members that feel strongly about it, or just find the need to prove they have the ability to pick on somebody. Like kids on a playground, it is inevitable. But this one really pushes the wrong buttons at the wrong time.

A Dallas HOA president sent a notice to one Frank Larison, a disabled veteran with more than 14 years of service, that the Marine Corp decals on his SUV represented advertisements, which was against their bylaws. He's been instructed to remove them, or face a fine and the vehicle being removed from the property by a tow truck.

Fox 4 reports that "Otherwise, the homeowners association for The Woodlands II on The Creek -- where Larison has lived for eight years --- says in a letter it will tow the car at Larison's expense. The board also threatens to fine him $50 for any future incident."

I would not want to be in this board member's shoes after this gets out. And he deserves whatever he gets, too. Watch the video.



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