Man Sets House On Fire, Dies In It, After Losing Home To..........

[Vette73]

http://consumerist.com/2010/09/man-...er-losing-home-to-homeowners-association.html

Homeowners' Association


Now you are probable thinking did he have a yard full of cars or any of the other things people always say you need a HOA to protect against. Nope his "crime" was building a white picket fence and a shed.

One of many reasons when looking for a house the first question we asked was is there a HOA. If they said yes then that was the end of that.

 

[sandorski]

Damn

 

[GagHalfrunt]

He should have done the same to the houses of the HOA officers.

 

[MotF Bane]

Fuck HOA's.

 

[rivan]

HOAs can be evil and all, but it sounds like they were trying to protect the look of the neighborhood. I've seen some really terrible looking fences and sheds.

Sounds like a screwed up situation, but looking at the guy, I wonder if he wasn't just crazy.

 

[iGas]

I wouldn't be as lenience as the decease, because I would be crazy enough to burn down everyone of the HOA officers house as well as the retarded lawyers and judge that involved.

 

[ProfJohn]

If I found the right house via google then it looks like he put up a fence in the front yard which is a big no-no in any HOA.

The big question is why didn't he just take the fence down when they told him too?
Why push it to this point?

Also, HOAs are not bad. They exist to protect everyone who lives there from that one odd ball that wants to start a junk yard behind their house. If you don't want to live by their rules then don't buy a house with an HOA.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Yeah, too bad he burned the wrong home.

Here is the home on google street view. It's just horrible looking, and I can see why nobody would want that in their neighborhood. Thank goodness for HOA's protecting everyone.

 

[Amused]

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...oid=D90eBkVA5JdJbyM5FM-psA&cbp=12,220.12,,0,5

The house.

 

[Amused]

Oops, I was late...

 

[2Xtreme21]

If I found the right house via google then it looks like he put up a fence in the front yard which is a big no-no in any HOA.

The big question is why didn't he just take the fence down when they told him too?
Why push it to this point?

Also, HOAs are not bad. They exist to protect everyone who lives there from that one odd ball that wants to start a junk yard behind their house. If you don't want to live by their rules then don't buy a house with an HOA.

That's funny.. with how right-of-center you come off as being, you're perfectly willing to submit to some arbitrary authority here and give up your right of doing whatever the hell you want to something you bought.

HOAs can take over someone's property because they don't like how the aesthetics of a house won't mesh with the surrounding houses? They can go fuck 'emselves.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

But did the house contrast with the rustic aesthetic of the village?

And are we sure someone didn't simply act for the greater good?

 

[Jumpem]

I don't see an HOA as keeping me from doing something. I see it as them keeping my neighbors from doing stupid things.

Yes HOA's have restrictions. But if you can live with them, they keep communities looking nice. My wife and I plan to buy our next house in a HOA neighborhood. It is very nice there. All of the lawns and ladscaping are perfect, the houses are all well maintained, no sheds in the yards, no junk cars or crap in driveways.

The HOA neighborhood also has alot of amenities that other places do not provide. Walking trails, bike paths, cross country ski trails, golf course, tennis courts, baseball and basketball fields, playgrounds, pons, a large pool, community center.

 

[ahenkel]

Hooray your house looks exactly like your neighbors. Now when you stumble into the wrong house piss drunk and climb in bed with the neighbors wife you'll have and excuse.

 

[Capt Caveman]

If I found the right house via google then it looks like he put up a fence in the front yard which is a big no-no in any HOA.

The big question is why didn't he just take the fence down when they told him too?
Why push it to this point?

Also, HOAs are not bad. They exist to protect everyone who lives there from that one odd ball that wants to start a junk yard behind their house. If you don't want to live by their rules then don't buy a house with an HOA.

I agree. Why let the HOA take your house when all you needed to do is take the fence and shed down? Why buy a house in a HOA if you didn't agree with the rules?

Sounds like a nutjob.

edit - looks like he could have had the fence, shed, etc as long as he had a review to probably tell him what was appropriate or not.

 

[MrPickins]

If you don't want to live by their rules then don't buy a house with an HOA.

It's not really that simple.

Almost every neighborhood in my area has a HOA. The only ones that don't are old neighborhoods that have exorbitant home values. For middle class home buyers, you don't really have the option to look only at non-HOA neighborhoods.

 

[TuxDave]

Not all HOAs are bad. The rule should be if you're buying a home with an HOA, better do some research to see if it's run by nutjobs.

 

[Engineer]

That's funny.. with how right-of-center you come off as being, you're perfectly willing to submit to some arbitrary authority here and give up your right of doing whatever the hell you want to something you bought.

HOAs can take over someone's property because they don't like how the aesthetics of a house won't mesh with the surrounding houses? They can go fuck 'emselves.

Pretty much what I was thinking (both parts). PJ is for getting government and authority out of our lives yet gives in to this local authority, even power to take ones paid for home over simple shit?!? There was a drive a few years ago here to actually start up a new HOA for the neighborhood....was major FAIL.

 

[JEDIYoda]

That's funny.. with how right-of-center you come off as being, you're perfectly willing to submit to some arbitrary authority here and give up your right of doing whatever the hell you want to something you bought.

HOAs can take over someone's property because they don't like how the aesthetics of a house won't mesh with the surrounding houses? They can go fuck 'emselves.

HOA`s can also keep you from flying the american flag or for that matter even allowing politican signs in your front yard!!

HOA are of the devil!!!

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Not all HOAs are bad. The rule should be if you're buying a home with an HOA, better do some research to see if it's run by nutjobs.

The problem with that rule is that if they aren't currently run by nut jobs, they eventually will be.

 

[Engineer]

The problem with that rule is that if they aren't currently run by nut jobs, they eventually will be.

LOL...so true.

 

[NL5]

LOL. People act like you are FORCED into an HOA. If you don't want one, then buy a house that isn't controlled by one. It's really that simple.

 

[Perknose]

Also, HOAs are not bad. They exist to protect everyone...

Lolololololol at the big right-wing, pro-personal fweeeeedom P&N railer against the nanny state and needless regulations giving his love to HOA's and not even seeing, let alone understanding, his deep, deep hypocrisy.

Edit: Ahhh, I see this has already been addressed.

 

[drebo]

HOAs are bad, plain and simple.

I will not ever buy a house controlled by one.

 

[Perknose]

The HOA neighborhood also has alot of amenities that other places do not provide. Walking trails, bike paths, cross country ski trails, golf course, tennis courts, baseball and basketball fields, playgrounds, pons, a large pool, community center.

False, bullshit distinction.

My neighborhood has ALL this PLUS affords me the personal freedom not to have the choices I make with my property in any way restricted or dictated by a small group of amateur, part-time power seekers.