Posted on 03/20/2012 11:26:44 AM PDT by grundle
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (CBS) – Kimberly Bois’ tiny front yard garden isn’t much to look at right now. But in a few weeks, it’ll be in full bloom, and every blossom will cost her dearly.
Even though she says her builder gave her permission to do a little planting, the current condo board now says she’s in violation.
They’re charging the Portsmouth, New Hampshire homeowner $50 a day for being so petal pushy. That fine has reached close to $6,000, plus the board’s legal fees.
“It’s just not a happy place to live anymore for me,” says Bois, who planted the small flower bed with the help of her mother, who has since passed away.
She says, “It just feels like we’ve been bullied and really all we wanted to do was have a conversation to figure out how this can benefit all of us.”
A new certified letter arrives every month, ordering Bois to uproot her garden and keeping track of her fines.
It got so bad, she contacted a Realtor friend of hers to talk about just selling the place that she has owned since 2008.
That’s when she got the real shock: the board put a lien on her townhouse for their fines.
Bois says the whole situation has, “gotten out of control.”
She even offered to pull up the flowers and pay part of the board’s legal fees a couple of weeks ago – an offer she says was refused.
The association’s bylaws don’t expressly forbid planting flowers on your property, Bois explains, nor do they explicitly allow it.
Board members have told Bois they just want all the units to look the same.
“Now we’ve gone down a rabbit hole that I just can’t seem to get out of and it’s very sad, and it’s upsetting,” she says.
WBZ reached out to the attorney who represents the condo association, but he did not respond our request for comment.
That which is not expressly permitted is verboten.
That which is not expressly permitted is verboten.
That which is not expressly permitted is verboten.
My wife and I decided to live in a neighborhood that has an association. However, we read the rules before we bought the house and understood the fees. It costs 880 a year and 225 for the boat slip. However, it is worth the money knowing that you won’t have a neighbor who will have various cars on blocks and neighbors who don’t mow their lawn, etc. I have zero problem with associations as long as you know what you are getting into.
This is exactly the type of bullsh*t which once led to a tarring and feathering.
You see, that is why I live as far away from other people as is practical.
She needs to get the other condo owners to elect her to the board!
Not very bright of the condo board. I’m glad this is picking up news coverage, as stupidity is always both newsworthy and...stupid.
If you buy into a socialist committee run domicile then you had better know all of the rules and conditions before you sign. Most of these groups are dictatorships and you have not bought a home but an agreement not much different than a rental contract. In fact, most rental contracts have fewer dictates than these HA rules.
How many times do I have to tell you? LOL
I know that there are many many good lawyers out there. Someone near this woman - please - get with her and take this board to the woodshed.
Get creative.
Make them afraid for their very well being.
Now’s the time to bring the term “lawsuit” to good repute.
You knowing signed away your freedom and chose to live there.
Right on!
Our homeowners’ association harassed a beautiful young mother who was dying of breast cancer. She had planted a line of Leyland cypresses on her property line to give herself some privacy. After they’d been in for several years and were pretty big, the HOA decided they didn’t like the evergreens. It was pointed out to them that there is NOTHING in the HOA documents that says that these trees or any other bushes, trees, vegetation, of any sort are prohibited, or that a homeowner has to ask permission of the HOA to plant anything. Nevertheless they tormented her. She’s dead now and beyond the reach of fascists.
Condo Associations deliberately leave things open and will selectively enforce the rules. I’m guessing this lady isn’t popular with the current board.
Tell ‘em they’re poppies, for medicinal purposes, which are covered under Obamacare.
Tell ‘em to go read it if they don’t believe you.....
Another “Spalding moment”, wherein the board members are each left with the trademark imprint on their foreheads.
(so they all look alike....)
This lady might win in court, with the misery caused by omnipotent board members reconciled -- slightly.
I'm not a lawyer, but I'd personally consider suing the board members.
Welcome to Duloc, such a perfect town
Here we have some rules, let us lay them down
Don’t make waves, stay in line
And we’ll get along fine
Duloc is a perfect place
Keep your feet off the grass
Shine your shoes, wipe your...face
Duloc is, Duloc is
Duloc is a perfect place
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