Homeowners Association Battle

ANOTHER SWING SET!

 "I'm angry. Tears have been shed [and] there has been a lot of arguing."

Arguing over an order to get rid of her backyard playset.

"They told us to take it down or they will put a lien on the house," says Kaplan.

The Kaplans love the house in the Meadows at St. Johns and thought they were doing everything right.

"We asked if we could put up the playset before we built it and was told it is okay," says Kaplan.

The approval, she says, came from members of the old board of directors. But it doesn't count to the new board.

"They claim I didn't get it in writing, so it doesn't count," says Kaplan.

The covenant is clear on no sheds, no portable structures. The architectural review committee is also clear on its rules that say playsets should be in the rear of the house, pending approval.

Kaplan says regardless, she and several others are being told to remove the playsets becasue they are too high and invade on someone's privacy.

Frustrated, Kaplan and her neighbors have started a petition drive to change the covenant. All they want is a place for their kids to play.

The management firm says it is doing what was instructed by the board of directors by telling the homeowners to remove the playsets.

Kaplan says the current board plans to resign this week and they plan to help a new board get elected. Residents are hoping the new board will
be more forgiving.

A consumer tip: Before buying property where there's a homeowners association, a condo association, or a co-op, find out if there are covenants and by-laws and what they allow or disallow.

Ask your realtor if the property is deed restricted.