HOA won't allow chickens

[MeepBeep]

I am very sorry. $450 a month! I can't believe it!

I can, the rinky dink (hardly exclusive or high end) gated community across the street from me has $287 a month association dues... I also have a friend that lives in a 2 bedroom condo in a high rise downtown Chicago, the dues are just shy of $1100 a month (yes over $1K) about half of that fee is for their 2 parking spaces, that they had to wait 6 months on a list to get and will lose instantly if they fail to pay... And to make the insult even worse you can't even self park or go to your car, you have to use their valet service and wait your turn when you want to leave... They have said sometimes it can be a 20 minute wait depending on the time of day and how busy they are...

HOA fees are ridiculously expensive, but some enjoy the amenities they bring to each their own...

 

[ChicknCommander]

That's better, renting not too bad but still like throwing money away. You pay n pay n pay each month not gaining anything from it then one day your landlord decides they want their place back for some reason. Rent to own is becoming more popular. Buying a house is a big step but if ya do it right it's the least risky of all. Don't give more than you can sell it for, if your house is worth 100,000 don't give 120,000. Don't take ppls word on what it's worth find out for yourself look at other homes in area n see what they sold for and what they was listed for.

 

[MeepBeep]

You pay n pay n pay each month not gaining anything from it

And for us that was exactly what we were doing with the house we owned, there was no equity building and there probably would not have been for at least 10 more years since the market collapsed, so we were not gaining anything in owning, in fact we were losing money each month...

 

[ChicknCommander]

Yep, sorry bout your situation just gotta learn from mistakes.

 

[MeepBeep]

Yep, sorry bout your situation just gotta learn from mistakes.

Not really a mistake more so bad circumstances out of our control and that fact that life changes, the house was worth everything we paid (and well within our means) based on historical prices from the day it was built in the 50s, the problem was that too many other people (out of our control) purchased in the area because it was a desirable place to live, with great schools and a desired zip code during the mortgage free for all of the early 2000s... A few years later foreclosures skyrocketed in the neighborhood because people purchased more then they could afford... Now when there is 2 or 4 vacant foreclosed houses on every block and one or two foreclosed houses that the banks have given/sold to HUD for cheap, the neighborhood value collapses fast, and it's not just that neighborhood it's the entire area... This is the reason I was able to rent for so cheap, there are vacant houses everywhere with banks and people just wanting someone to live there and take care of it... In fact the bank pretty much begged us to stay in the house and start paying rent vs evicting us... Couple that with the fact when we purchased the house we were a children free couple, we now have two daughters and a son, we simply outgrew the house and it was time to move forward...

 

[ChicknCommander]

Good deal

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

My HOA is the worst in the country, and I will hear no arguments against that. They slapped us with a $400 fine for having a hummingbird feeder. A HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER. We can't even have dogs. The monthly dues are $450 a month (they were only 300 - already steep - when I moved in three years ago). If they found out about my duck I would be Le Screwed. That's why I plan to raise it indoors.

Have you thoroughly read both your CC&Rs and your state statutes that govern HOAs? Make sure that 1) it is legitimately within their power to disallow a hummingbird feeder and to fine you so heavily and 2) that both are legal in your state. I doubt hummingbird feeders are covered by state statute, but there may be limitations on how fines are assessed and the amount that can be fined.

 

[lovingmyhens]

I just got a letter from my hoa staring I had 10 days to get rid of my chickens because my hoa does not allow poultry. I really want to fight this!! I live in Katy and in Houston, about 2 miles east of my house, chickens are allowed.

 

[iwiw60]

I just got a letter from my hoa staring I had 10 days to get rid of my chickens because my hoa does not allow poultry. I really want to fight this!! I live in Katy and in Houston, about 2 miles east of my house, chickens are allowed.

Gosh, how sad. I know you want to fight this, but if the HOA you signed when you purchased your place doesn't allow it, then I'm afraid you fighting a sinking ship. Don't get me wrong...I'M WITH YOU ON THIS! But I have a feeling I see a "For Sale" sign in your future as you are passionate about your girls. Wishing you well, best of luck to you.

 

[lovingmyhens]

Well I think I have figured out what happened. My house backs up to a bayou, so I have no back neighbors. When I was going to get the chickens I asked specifically the two neighbors next door to me if they would mind. One, a guy and his wife, didn't care at all. The others, didn't as well, BUT they just put their house on the market Sat and they had an open house on Sun. Their realtor was there for 3-4 hours. I think she may have heard or seen them (they have a 2 story house) and told on me. The funny thing is, not 2 months ago, 3 doors down, a sweet couple with two little girls, moved in and THEY HAVE CHICKENS!! We have become best buds. I have not told them about this, but I am going to ask if they would keep my 8 chickens (they have a HUGE backyard) for a couple of months and let this die down. I have no doubt that when the realtor is out of my face, ie, the house is sold, I will have no further trouble. I am also putting a lock on my gate so no one can get in my backyard.
Hopefully this is going to work.