HOA fines homeowner $50 a day for painting his mailbox the color they told him to paint it, facing a total fine of up to $1550: 'Feels like they just look for ways to squeeze money out of us.'

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  • 01
    So the HOA here sent out a notice last month saying all mailboxes needed to be beige instead of black. Mine was black, so I went out, bought paint, and did exactly what they asked. Two days later I get a violation notice saying "unauthorized alteration of property" with a $50 fine. I called them and explained I literally painted it beige because of their letter, and the manager tells me I should've filed an architectural request form first and waited for approval. For a mailbox color change that
  • 02
    Now they're telling me it's $50 a day until it's "corrected," but when I asked what "corrected" means they said to leave it as- is but still submit the form and wait up to 30 days. Basically I'm being fined for not waiting for permission to follow their own rule. Feels like they just look for ways to squeeze money out of us.
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    PenHouston I would be at the board meeting complaining about the property manager and getting the fines wave.
  • 05
    Fool_On_the_Hill_9 My guess is that your manager is an idiot and probably is acting on their own. Either way, your first step is to appeal the action to the board and hope common sense prevails. In the meantime, I suggest submitting the paperwork just to show good faith, in case your board is also filled with idiots.
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    lesterfazwazzle Eww gross. I hope it's just an internal dumb glitch for them and they waive all those fees once everything is in order.
  • 08
    guy_n_cognito_tu I normally like HOAs, but this is ridiculous. You shouldn't need permission to do.....exactly....what they told you to do. And, if they were going to insist on the architectural request form, then that fact should have been in the notice they sent.

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