ACK! New house is in a very restricted rural subdivision!

[dkvart1]

Excitement about the house we are in the middle of purchasing became grave concern today when realtor sent the plat and list of restrictions (something DH didn't think about when he put the offer in, thinking it was in the country there'd be no restriction on me having some chickens!

The restriction list says ONE dog OR cat OR other household pet per residence! We have 2 dogs and 2 cats) And absolutely no livestock of any kind.

The committee listed (in charge of the rules, etc are apparently the people who were selling off the property and their son or brother of some such. Dated 1964 to run for 30 years, then automatically renew itself every 10 years. ONLY way to change any of their silly restrictions is a majority of home owners agreeing to change it. Not sure but looks like about 20 or so homeowners in there so far, unless a lot of folks bought lots and just never built on the property.

DH said, don't worry about it, most of those folks are probably gone by now (meaning original purchasers)... informed him if I have to I will fight for chickens,... he smiled and said "have fun!"


Sigh,,,, just when I thought things were looking up...

 

[GaNewChick]

Sorry to hear this ..... hopefully you will be able to have them. I guess this is a huge lesson learned.

 

[dkvart1]

yeah, that's my DH, "it's in the country, no one will care if you have a few chickens..." tried to tell him before that just because it's in the country if it's a subdivision they can have their own rules.

Men. *SIGH*.

 

[babylady4]

Can you back out of the sale????

 

[dkvart1]

baby we could but everything else about the place is perfect, so and we'd forfeit our earnest money.

.... realtor sent another nice note that said after this period of time things have probably relaxed quite a bit and he doesn't think the "committee" is still in effect. We'll see what happens.

I'm of the mind that we end up where we are supposed to be and after nearly a year of looking, this one met our needs 95% (100% would have been small livestock) and this was the last house on our list to see, for one reason or another the others were found very lacking.

Sometimes, I guess someone has to step up and try to make the changes. I'd rather I was just able to walk in and have my chickens and a couple of pygmy goats and I may be able to. We'll see what the neighborhood is like when we get there. Maybe the realtor is right and things have relaxed and there'll be no problem. Or maybe I'll have to change what is... we'll see.

 

[SourRoses]

Errr.. the regs are '64? And theres no official governing body to find out about it? Would neighbors even be able to see the animals out there? What about, drive around to a couple of places and see how many dogs and cats and livestock they have? If its in the country you must not be the only one who likes keeping livestock. And is it likely the neighbors even know about this '64 rule? If they're living in the country its not that likely they would expect or check for such a thing.

 

[onthespot]

If you have empty lots on both sides, put your pens there, LOL. Then your NEIGHBORS would be in trouble for having chickens.

If five years go by, or whatever your laws are, you could own them by adverse posession.

 

[twentynine]

Big mistake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Always always forever always their is at least one nieghbor that makes it his business to spoil everyone's fun.

Yes! You can back out of the purchase without the loss of your money, if the restrictions were not revealed to you prior to your offer.

No way in the world would I make the purchase knowing full well that I can not live by the bylaws, that I was made aware of before I purchased. Old or new, good or bad, agree or disagree is not the issue.

What is the issue, you know full well eyes wide open, that you do not intend to follow the bylaws, covenants and you are still going to buy the house.

I'm telling you, their is always some little ole lady, or, little old man, or a Miss Gladys Kravitts in every neighborhood that makes it their business to mind everyone else's business. You are opening yourselves up to huge problems.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Agree with this.

 

[babylady4]

Quote:
Agree with this.

ditto