Enforcing rule about mowing lawns

Deleted. Never mind.

 

Because there's nobody home to mow it? If it's that much of an eyesore, go mow it yourelf...maybe someone will purchase the house sooner and you'll get a little exercise in the process.

 

you would think they could debit their HOA account for mowing fees and thus wouldn't be able to sell the house until the HOA debt was paid...

 

Deleted. Last post.

 

It's clearly bothered you enough to warrant multiple calls and a posting to inquire about the process for getting it mowed. I would consider knee high grass (a month ago, I'd say a lot higher now what with the rain you guys have had) an eyesore in any circumstance. I'm not on your back, but it's clearly bothering you to the point of it being easily taken care of by mowing it and posting a note on the door stating such.

 

Although the original post was deleted it is a good topic. I'm happy that we are in the section of Broadlands where lawn care is provided, especially as we are in fact moving from the area quite soon.

I'd be surprised if there were not HOA guidelines on how high is too high before there are options for action.

 

which section of broadlands provides lawn moving included w/ the HOA fee?

you're lucky.

 

The county actually has the authority to cut the grass and bill the homeowner after "reasonable notice" has been given on any vacant developed properties. The County can be notified once the grass exceeds 12 inches.

 

I wonder how much the county charges ? HaaHaa

 

We are in Southern Walk and this was one of the features which attracted us to SW vice other sections of B-lands. We like that lawn service, basic cable, basic phone and internet were all provided. (bear in mind of course we pay for this in additional homeowner dues than those who do not have these services).

 

CAA,

What kind of lawn care you get? Do they mowe your backyard?

Thanks

 

Baskar,


Yes; front lawn, backyard, sides, bagging....I know last year the service also included aeronating (sp) and I think mulching too....but I'm not sure if that is still included now. I'm sure someone else w/in SW will respond in more detail.

 

Thanks CAA.

 

It should be noted that not all of Southern Walk gets the mowing services - only the "Courtyard homes" are part of the program.
Service includes:
Mowing
Trimming/Edging
Fertilizer
Mulching in Spring only now
Aeration and seeding in fall

 

Overland Park also gets the mowing and mulching services. Much to my delight.

 

I live in southern walk townhomes too.
our HOA is $227/mo. which was shocking since our TH was suppose to be delivered in Dec. '05, but delayed to '06; then they increased the HOA.

we do not get lawn service; just cable, tv, phone. this HOA fee is nearly like a condo fee WITHOUT the additional services.

CAA - are you in a single family home?

Question - a portion of our lawn and the HOA common area lawn is DEAD. Van Metre claims that they will not replace it; however, the HOA is suppose to re-seed it soon. The HOA said the portion that is on our property is for Van Metre to fix. They neglect this lawn since it's away from the the main road, Village Drive.

we think that the common area dead grass affected and deteriorated out grass. any thoughts?

 

Hi Peace!

To answer your question, yes; we are in a single family home. I don't know if the amenities differ for town homes in Southern Walk or not. You mentioned your HOA includes cable, phone....does it not include your internet as well?

Good luck on resolving the issue of the grass.

...Carol

 

Peace - looks like your fees should be split out as $157-Southern Walk HOA -Openband (Cable, TV, Internet) and $70 for Broadlands TH which is only $9/month more than a single family home in Broadlands ($61). The extra pays for things like plowing the streets in the winter (In the SFH, VDOT is responsible in most of Broadlands) and other TH only related items (Street lighting ,etc).

For those of us in Courtyards/Overland Park (Peppermint - sorry I missed that ealrier- was referencing mainly SW) our assessments are $108.50/month - which includes the basic services and lawn service, plus we (I think just in SW) pay the additional $157/month for Openband.

 

Yes, it is easy to mow a lawn. I have a neighbor that cares more about her personal looks and the interior of her house than her lawn care. So all the neighbors bear the site of her unkempt lawn. The grass in her fenced-in back yard grew to over one foot. Last week she paid one neighbor to cut it for her, except they had to use a weed-wacker because the grass was so long. Now the "hay" is ready to be baled! I periodically run my mower over the front lawn (mostly weeds), just to keep it looking semi-uniform to everyone else's.

 

The biggest expense difference between townhouses and single family homes is that the HOA pays for and maintains the streets. We just got our reserve study back and it recommended a $12 increase per month for townhouses, primarily due to asphalt repair and replacement.
After review some adjustments will be made that should lower it, but I expect there will be a fairly large increase in townhouse assessments for the next few years.