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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 11, 2008

HOAs Good For Attorneys

Regarding "Neighbors Boot Family From Home" (front page, June 2):

The disturbing examples of homes being foreclosed upon for merely hundreds of dollars is yet another example how the Florida Legislature has continued to construct statutes that favor filling the attorneys' coffers.

All too often we see homeowners' associations run by power-hungry dictators who have very little knowledge or respect of the Florida statutes and worst of all is when they sue a homeowner, they sue with the homeowner's money.

In the Greens' case, the association has accomplished nothing. The other homeowners are now responsible for not only the attorney fees, but are now exposed to a huge liability by owning a house requiring insurance, lawn service, property taxes etc. on top of a falling real estate market.

After the association sits on this house for a year, incurs all the expenses and winds up selling the house for tens of thousands less, they will understand what a poor decision they made by foreclosing instead of simply keeping a lien on the house.

MICHAEL BRADLEY

Brooksville

Hopes Justice Prevails

I read with pain about the family that lost their home to the homeowners' association gang.

Being from the old school and Great Depression era, it just galls the heck out of me to read about so-called compassionate people who probably go to the church of their choice and do the handshake and nice-to-see-you back-slap with Bible in hand.

These are the king and queens who have the nerve to be judge and jury on the lives of so many people, who are having a hard time with kids, bills, schools and just slipping through an existence that has gone downhill.

I hope they have the worst time to explain to the final judge and jury why they were such complete dregs of society. We will all pay for our indiscretions, some at a higher rate than others.

BILL PULKOWNIK

Valrico

Too Much Power

I can't believe the association has this much power. It should not have this kind of power. I realize there has to be rules and can't believe someone would put their home in jeopardy by not paying the association.

I am curious to know what the association uses the money for. Probably landscaping and security, but maybe they should be helping people in need who live in these homes.

I am so glad I am not living in a subdivision where I am told how many potted plants to have on my porch, what color my house has to be painted, and allow no signs in the yard.

FRANCES PELFREY

Tampa

Unlawful Foreclosure

The article on foreclosures by homeowner associations gave an example stating the foreclosure was due to a $750 fine for an "unkempt" lawn.

However, the "five steps to a foreclosure over homeowner group fees" indicated that in recent years, associations have been prohibited from converting fines for slights such as failing to maintain a lawn into a lien.

It further stated that legislation has been passed, but not yet signed by Governor Crist, that if the fine exceeds $1,000, the association may covert it to a lien and foreclose. Thus it would appear this association unlawfully foreclosed.

Many homeowners' association directors do their best to represent the best interests of all the homeowners, however, some associations are run by cliques that are only interested in their own self-serving interests.

While the argument can be made that they should be voted out of office, many residents don't take the time or just don't care, making it almost impossible to remove the bad eggs.

If I were this particular homeowner, I would be hiring an attorney and looking into their directors' liability insurance.

DARLENE WILSON

Dade City

Articles Are Misleading

The latest articles regarding homeowners associations are very misleading. The articles portray HOAs as vile and evil entities that are out to "get" homeowners. This is quite untrue.

Deed-restricted communities are corporations and they are registered with the state of Florida. They have to be run as a corporation, not a social club. Anyone buying into a deed-restricted community must realize that they are buying stock in a community. The aesthetic appeal of a community is often the very selling point that convinces a prospective buyer to make the purchase.

If lifestyle changes occur that do not conform to the agreement signed by the homeowners at purchase, it is no disgrace to move on. If uniqueness is a requirement for a homeowner, a deed restricted community is not for them.

We give up a degree of uniqueness in place of assurance that our community will be maintained in a high degree of marketability in the future.

Those of us who support HOAs do not want to live beside the trash that is another man's treasure. If I can no longer afford to live in a deed-restricted community, I will gladly sell and purchase elsewhere.

GLENN ANDERSON

Valrico

Wealth And Arrogance

Regarding "Ex-Buc Flagged For Tree Removal" (Metro, June 7):

I write in complete outrage that a local football hero uses his wealth to not once, but twice destroy protected environments for his own wants. I feel our professional sports players are so overpaid that it is perverse. I expect these millionaires who can throw a football to at the least not teach children that wealth means you can destroy the environment just because you can.

RICH DUGGER

Odessa

Correction

In Harold M. Whipp's June 9 letter titled "Electric Car Redux," the settlement Chevron received should have read $30 million instead of $3 million.

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