Increasing covenants violation notices

There are many scenarios where these two are intertwined. If you keep your trash bin visible outside, you will get violation notice, but you can apply for modification to add trash enclosure - see here.
Similarly with basketball hoop, etc.

 

The item, such as trash can or basketball pole, May be the issue, but Covenant violation and Modification request to your home are completely different.
If you received a covenant violation for a trash can left out and then addressed it with the Modification Subcommittee, we would tell you to talk to Covenants.
If you want to build a structure to your property to house a trash can, then the Modification Subcommittee would review that application.
In the example given here with plantings growing on the side of the house, Modifications would have nothing to do with that.

 

Correcting covenant violations (depending on what they are) can take considerable time if you have to hire a contractor to fix it - understandable. But if repeated notices are sent over a period of time (say 2 years) and they are ignored, what steps are taken to move the owner/landlord to take action aside from removing community privileges, and imposing fines? If the fines go unpaid, is legal action taken? What was the most egregious case that occurred in Broadlands?

 

Should they choose to do so, it would be more appropriate for staff or a Board member answer your question.

 

Update: We were now ordered to remove our 6-year-old grape vine to “maintain harmony, continuity, and property values throughout the community”. According to the Covenants Inspector the plant is in violation of the HOA rules. These are the words he is using: “unsightly due to the vines growing on the siding and the main roots being located in the ground”, “the roots planted in the ground causes an eyesore and impacts the visual unity and appearance of the home and imbalance to the aesthetic of the home”, …
Do you agree?

 

Appeal to the Board of Directors.

 

I personally do not find it 'unsightly.'

 

if you end up taking it down, and succumbing to the HOA, can we try to make some wine out of the grapes?

 

I got a notification for my trash cans being in my driveway. I was cleaning out my garage. Minor issue but it’s annoying that our HOA would waste it’s time and money issuing a letter when a bit of common sense would have gone a long way it this particular case.

 

What was the outcome of this? I think your vine is fine. It may not be my personal style, but that is very subjective. Objectively, there is nothing wrong with well-maintained plant life.

In your quote, the HOA mentions property values. I fear their recent overzealousness could backfire and actually have a negative effect on property values. Most people want HOAs to take care of the outrageous stuff (e.g. painting a house purple, rusting out cars on cement blocks, etc.) but do not want to live somewhere that is overly picky or restrictive about leaving the garbage can out an extra hour or having plants that someone views as an eyesore. If I was a prospective buyer and reading this forum, I would be concerned and might look elsewhere. Up until a few years ago, enforcement has been reasonable, but something has changed recently...

 

The vine was approved by the Modification Subcommittee, but is informing the Board of Directors that this is a covenant/maintenance issue, not a Modification.

 

I want to give a shout out of THANKS to the Covenants Inspectors (and the Modifications Subcommittee that reviewed an influx of applications). They put in a lot of effort to improve Broadlands. The recent flurry of homeowner attention has delivered positive improvement that I hope homeowners will sustain. The "vine" initiated discussion on this forum, but was approved much like all of the cases that are in alignment with the HOA guidelines that we knew we would have when we moved into Broadlands.

 

Agreed. Happy that Broadlands is stepping up inspections. Several homes in my area were beginning to look abandoned. If one wishes to keep their house unruly, then they should purchase in a community without a HOA. The only complaint I do have is allowing fences and decks to weather naturally. Weathering naturally but keeping it free of mold and mildew is one thing. Weathering naturally and never power washing is another and should be addressed. Same goes for front steps...the moldy ones need to be addressed if they have not already.

 

I appreciate it, and I will do my best to follow the requirement: "The grapevine must be constantly trimmed and maintained".

 

I agree with your concerns. Our grapevine was for now conditionally approved on August 3rd.

 

Agree, about algae. When I power wash the siding and deck, I also do my neighbor's fence because it get's tiresome seeing green boards. But I stop there even though their side of their deck facing me is covered with it. In all fairness, we have northeast exposure so it's more likely to grow on surfaces with little sun. One other issue with fencing and decks are warped boards (particularly the rail caps,) and panels jutting out from shifting and erosion. These are often overlooked when the inspectors come through, but needs better oversight.