DENVER, N.C. — The builder of a fairly new neighborhood recently turned over the Homeowners Association (HOA) to the homeowners, and there’s been drama.
In July, the developer turned the HOA over to the people living in Fox Chase in Denver.
Nick Cox has been very vocal against the board. “Emotionally, I’m deflated,” he said. “Has just been like a dictatorship.”
He says he’s been doing battle over where to park cars and boats, an important topic here, because this is a lake community.
[ MORE ACTION 9: HOA fines homeowner $12K because windows didn’t match her neighbors ]
“The optics don’t look so great,” Michael Mascaro said. “None of us are experts by any stretch of the imagination. I would say even a lot of the folks on the board are new at this and they are learning too, but everybody knows it takes nothing to be transparent.”
Michael Mascaro is more forgiving than Cox. He blames a lot on growing pains, but not everything.
“We felt that there could have been a lot stronger communication,” Mascaro said. “Money being spent. How dues and just how the whole process worked.”
The HOA says, “These types of inflammatory statements in addition to others that members of the board have received (e.g., ‘Your name will be well known’ and being referred to as ‘slimy’) are keeping the board from carrying out its duties. The board is an extremely diverse group that has only acted in good faith for the betterment of the community as a whole. Additionally, all information provided has been reviewed and validated by counsel retained by the elected Board. It is regrettable that the neighborhood must use community funds to protect the neighborhood from frivolous accusations instead of putting that money towards the betterment of the community.”
[ MORE ACTION 9: Some homeowners say it’s been hard paying their portion of $3M neighborhood facelift ]
Action 9 investigator Jason Stoogenke says if you have an issue with your HOA:
First, talk with your neighbors. Strength in numbers.
Second, try meeting with the board as a group, not by yourself.
Third, you can always talk to a lawyer. Just know it’ll cost you.
Plus, the N.C. General Assembly is considering a bill to limit the power of HOAs and give homeowners more recourse. For example, if a homeowner asks the HOA for records, the board must make them available within 30 days and, if a homeowner owes the HOA money, the board can still get a lien on the property and start foreclosure proceedings, but it has to meet certain criteria first.
VIDEO: Condo owner sues HOA over Ring camera, loses, has to pay $73K
This browser does not support the video element.