If the intention was to protect property values this board might be very ineffective.

Imagine when people google the association and find this story at the top about mismanagement, petty rules, and news stories making fun of them.

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/jul/12/group-moves-to-ban-some-pickup-trucks-on-streets/

First they came for the kids' bikes, now the trucks!

The HOA's policy serves the practical purpose of systematically discriminating against a particular group, ie, children, and is going to result in big damage awards against the owners. WHO is giving legal advice to these people?????

The story says the last company quit because the board wouldn't follow their advice.

GS,

Thanks for reading and commenting for the last few years. I appreciate your viewpoint.

...and at the risk of sounding like a mutual admiration society, THANKS for providing a great forum!

I moved out of a subdivision regulated by a HOA. Reason is same as most. Petty crap the their ineffectivness to improve the subdivision and only making it a living hell for the residents there. I went to re paint the front trim of my house which was a little faded by the sun when out of no where like police undercover, one of the board members pulls into my driveway and asks me if my painting was approved. Approved? I told him I'm not painting the house just the front trim. He said I needed to stop by the office and provide the color specs. BULLSHIT I told him. Needless to say I get fined $135.00. 3 years of shit like that I sold and moved to the hills on a private secluded non HOA property. My last day moving out I went to the office and cursed the shit out them HOA board members and middle fingered the guy to his face for being a fucking prick. So long Silver Creek Country Club! HOA. YOur a JOKE!

I decided to fight my HOA and filed a lawsuit. The dispute quickly turned ugly. A few weeks later, a Board member mailed around a 5 page letter mocking my handicap to all 1500 property owners. I was told later that it was just an attempt to make me drop the lawsuit. I didn't but the Association did nothing and allowed her stay on the Board. HOAs are one big stain on this country, and they seem to attract a lot of mean spirited petty people.

Coventry Court HOA is run by total control freaks, 'Mr and Mrs Kravitz'. The Mrs Kraviz character peers throuh her windows trying to catch people violating the HOA rules. She then calls the security company to have them ticketed or written-up.

'Mrs Kravitz' has her sights on a select few residents in the complex and makes it a point to watch every move they make. It's scary weird, like an obsession with her. Besides that, she is NEVER friendly to anyone. She' just plain BITTER. Her and her husband have succeeded in creating a Nazi-like environment where everyone is afraid of getting caught for something. Cars, garage, noise, dogs, parking, stuff on your OWN patio, bbq's...the list goes on and on. They ('Mrs Kravitz')complain about EVERYTHING!

The HOA meetings are nothing more than a guise for their religious group meetings. Complete with a BLESSING OF THE MEETING.

Don't EVEN try to park there. There's NO parking for guests, let alone enough for us residents. They WILL ticket and they WILL tow. Gold Coast Security and Gold Coast HOA (hmm connection??) run the entire place.

Coventry Court is a horrible place to live. The people are not friendly and make it hard to enjoy life's simple things, like walking your dog, a BBQ or day by the pool.

You have two parking spots in your garage. How many do you need?

Maybe if everyone kept their garage cleaned and parked in their garage there would be plenty of parking.

SO you live in CC then you know what I'm talking about then. Is the HOA going to FORCE residents to keep their garages "clean" now too??? To who's standards? It's like a NAZI community, it's unreal really.

FYI, My garage is spotless. My husband and I park both of our cars inside our garage, unlike most of the community. Not that you have any business telling me where to park or how to use MY garage.

Even so, there are NO VISITOR parking or even parking on the streets. You get ONE parking tag. You are FORCED to ask you guests to park illegally, nice huh?

And who's idea was it to repaint the BLUE. It's so dated. Must be the group on the board who are stuck in the 80's. Updating the colors would have improved the value for everyone!!!

Interesting that you would DEFEND Coventry Court though. No one I know who lives here would defend THE PARKING situation, NO ONE!
You are either 'Mrs Kravitz' (like the nosy neighbor from Bewitched) herself, her whipped husband or someone from Gold Coast. Which is it?

In any case, you are obviously an intolerant shill on this site and should be reported.

When you moved in did someone trick you that there was more parking?

Yes, people should park in their garages. If your neighbors don't park in their garage they are taking up what little parking there is available. Do you think there should be a limit on how many cars per household are allowed or should everyone else have less parking available to them if a household has more than a few cars and doesn't use their garage?

No, I don't live by you, I am not now nor have I ever been a Nazi, nor do I live in a HOA.

Feel free to run for your board though if you feel the need.

Nice name "HOA" for someone who doesn't live in one. Why bother posting here? If not an HOA resident, you must, therefore, work for one. Let me guess Gold Coast? Could it be Kelli?

No one called you a nazi, my post clearly stated the nazi-like environment of Coventry Court. There is no sense of "community" there. Just hostility, excess of rules and constant "tattle-tailing" as they run to Gold Coast Security to fine, ticket or tow. There is no "within reason" with these people, there is only BLACK or WHITE. Further, there is no tolerance by any of the board members (pres/wife especially) for those who are different than they are. Or is it intolerance for those who don't hold their religious belief? Have you not noticed a bias? Be honest. I can give names here and really embarrass you, because we both know it to be true.

God forbid there's ever an emergency where the community needs to band together. They'd be screwed.

A shill indeed!

Donna,

I lived in a HOA before and I don't plan to live in a HOA again. I don't work for a management company. Naming private names would likely get your comments deleted, so please refrain from doing so here.

But seriously, why not answer my questions. How many parking spots should each unit get? How many units and how many parking spots are there? Why does someone have a right to use an excessive amount of parking spots if they don't keep their garage cleaned?

GUEST PARKING?

People have a life, at least I do.

If I had a baby shower, I wouldn't have enough parking.

If I had Thanksgiving dinner, I wouldn't have enough parking.

If I had a funeral, I wouldn't have enough parking.

But I guess it's OK to park illegally at Jons??

Right is right and wrong is wrong. The problem with this community is that there are NO exceptions, period, end of story. If HOA presidents wife doesn't like you, you will get ticketed or towed, you will get fined. She's a bitter unhappy woman with nothing better to do than follow up on very little (and mean LITTLE) violation. She will do so until you convert to her ways or she forces you to move out.

I've lived here for years and I do not know one persons name. No one has EVER introduced themselves. NO ONE here says "hi". It's awful. Thank God my kids are older, I certainly wouldn't want to raise kids here. It's NOT a "community" in any sense of the word.

Donna,
It's not difficult to hang out at the mailbox and find other people who don't like the HOA or the board. Recruit other people to run for the board. I like retired architects or project managers as board members.

Once the board is taken over fire the property management company. Steal their landscape guy too.

Also don't forget http://www.ripoffreport.com/.
It's your duty as an American citizen to warn the public that this property management company is jeopardizing these children’s health by not allowing them to exercise outside. They are also stealing their childhood and denying the families in the complex of a community atmosphere.

This property management company is using undo duress in an attempt to deny property owners the ability to enjoy their homes.

Thanks "nobody"!
I've often wanted to post something at the mailboxes, but fear retaliation from the board.

The common misconception by those on the board about those who are not, is that they "are not willing to serve". I find that statement nearly libelous, as many who would be GREAT simply do not have the time or are not, let's just say, "administratively inclined".

I find this board in particular needs SOMEONE (ANYONE) who can be a voice for the residents and not just a vehicle for the president and his wife to control. There is a clear abuse of power and quite possibly a scam/fraud and Conflict of Interest.

Coventry Court companies:
Gold Coast Management Assoc.
Gold Coast Security
Buena Towing (same owner)

http://gcscam.com/

Thanks for your suggestion, I have already started a string of reporting.

Donna,

You didn't answer the questions. Let me try again.

Do you think there is a connection between your neighbors not parking cars in their garage and a lack of parking? Why blame the board for enforcing rules when they are trying to help fix problems? If they aren't trying to fix the problem of people taking too many resources ( parking ) then you should introduce yourselves to your neighbors and try to find someone that will.

Is it okay with you that your neighbors don't use their garages for parking? If it is okay with you then you lose your right to complain there isn't enough parking.

Donna,

In an earlier post you denied that the HOA has the right to govern where people park. You then are mad that there isn't enough parking.

Do you see the contradiction?

Are you trying to redirect the conversation to parking???? They "govern" the parking to a fault...and there is NO GUEST PARKING-period!
Nice "welcoming community" huh?? NOT!

How about addressing the scam they are perpetrating on the community??

Coventry Court companies:
Gold Coast Management Assoc.
Gold Coast Security
Buena Towing (same owner)
Coastal Towing (same owner) <---add this one

http://gcscam.com/

How about the controlling and intrusive nature of the wife of the president ('Mrs Kravitz')?

You say you don't live there or any part of an HOA nor are on the board, yet your moniker is "HOA"......please explain why then you are even on this blog. What is your interest?

MRS KRAVITZ??????????????????? AHAH!

I don't live in your or any HOA. I used to and I moved out years ago. I don't work for a towing company, a management firm, or anything of the sort. Therefore I cannot address your concerns.

But it is really funny you keep complaining there isn't enough parking without holding your neighbors that don't park in their garage accountable for using all of the parking!

How many cars should each unit be allowed to regularly park in the limited parking spots there are available?

Should your board have the power to force people to use their garage for parking?

My interest is that people actually do something instead of complaining. You might not have time, but if you support solutions that would help.

Good luck with your HOA. I find the story interesting is all. Your neighbors must not agree with you enough or they would elect a new board.

Parking again??

No one wants to get involved because of fear of retaliation. Nice way to live huh?

You are clearly lying, why else would you bother with this blog?!

If you are 'Mrs Kravitz', one piece of advise...BACK OFF!!!!!!!!

People have a right to ENJOY their homes just as much as you tout your right to "quiet enjoyment". That does NOT mean it has to be "QUIET" 24/7. Don't report my dog for barking, my cars for being parked WHERE EVER, my family for enjoying the pool.

GET A LIFE! GET OVER YOURSELF!

I don't live in your association.

Why not just answer the questions over the issue we both know something on?

You want to complain there is no parking and cars get towed for parking illegally but you don't want any restrictions enforced including getting people to park in their own garages and limiting how many cars a unit is allowed to park regularly in the complex.

You aren't looking for solutions.

If you were in charge the parking situation would be worse. People could park illegally, you wouldn't ask people to use their garages, you wouldn't care if a unit had 3 or more cars using the limited parking, and you would allow people to park in strange places when they had people over.

Why not offer solutions? What is your solution to the parking problem?

Donna,
Don’t get too stressed out. The one who is the least stressed out usually wins in these and most matters.

Be sure to say "in my opinion" or "my experience with" when making your complaints. Don't feed the lawyers.

I have been in your situation before. I know exactly how you feel. These home owner association people get cheap thrills by controlling people. They feel they are the landowners and we are the serfs. Trust me this is a very unhappy person.

The residents should know who their home owner association board members are. Their names and contact information should be made available to the residents so they can voice their concerns

Thanks Nobody-
You are right, residents should know more about these people. Who they are and how long they have been on the board and is there a term? (must be due).

The problem here is COMMUNICATION. There is nearly none. With the exception of COMPLAINTS! No fliers, no alternatives to Tuesday nights, no 'open forums'. The emails are not answered, the phone hours are unavailable, the websites are incomplete (they have a few they started but never finished).

You are right too, "Mrs Kravitz' IS a very unhappy person, bitter even. You can tell in a instant! She never smiles, never an she's making sure no one else is happy either. They have a toddler too, how sad for that little thing to live in such negativity ALL the time. Sad, really sad! The saddest thing is that it usually takes a VERY humbling experience in life to change that. I don't wish that, it's just how it goes.

I don't stress, because I am happy. She can not take that away no matter how hard she tries. She'll bark up the wrong tree one day, I am certain of that.

There are so many problems, but this HOA person wants to return the conversation to PARKING every time hahaha!

Donna,

I keep returning to parking because you haven't addressed it. You offer nothing but complaints, not solutions.

Most HOA Board elections don't have many candidates running. In fact most of them are not contested at all.

Why not find a way of running, recruit a neighbor to run, move away from a HOA ( like I did) or offer actual solutions.

I don't know your board but it would seem like the person that complains the most for others to do a job for free, without offering solutions is the most bitter.

Coventry Court has 85 units.
Each unit has an attached garage for parking 2 vehicles.
The CC&R's say that garages are for "parking vehicles and incidental storage" (the latter being open to interpretation).

There are roughly 56 spaces to park any/all other vehicles in the "common area".
Every unit pays the same 'regular assessment' amount each month.

Those fees go towards, among other things, the upkeep of the association. So, one would think that every homeowner would have the same 1 in 56 chance to get an external parking spot.

In a perfect world there would be 85 external spots and every unit would have their own private spot in addition to the 2 spots in their garage. Unfortunately we're not allowed to park in front of our garages becuase Simi Valley says that the alleys are a fire zone. I'm sure if you could proove otherwise the board would gladly make an effort to have the CC&R's changes to reflect this. But you do realize that changing CC&R's require something like 80% of homeowners to agree. I don't know the exact percent, but I think it's some high percentage. But I've heard the board members say that any change is possible if the majority of homeowners required to make such a change would do so.

I found out the other day that the association under the previous president(s)/management company(s) had let our earthquake insurance expire.... for 7 freakin years !!! It was once again a current board member who got the association back covered again. Now the downside was that dues went up. But that's the price we had to pay for the previous incompetent board/management company.

The CC&R's (my copy at least) were written around 1987. There is an electronic copy provided via the association website, only by the fact that one of the board members took the time to type in 60+ pages so all homeowners could benefit. The cost of this service to the association? Free!

So, to the best of my knowledge the rules have been around before anybody actually moved in. The Rules & Regulations however do/have changed over the years.

Now regarding the rules. I'm not able to attend all the meetings due to my work schedule, but on every occasion where I have attended, there has NEVER been any "BLESSING OF THE MEETING." The board has always been open to changing ANY UNPOPULAR RULES (by a majority of the homeowners) to the extent that they can.

The previous president used to take up 2, 3, and on rare occasions 4 external parking spots because his garage was full of surfboards, a cubby hole computer man-cave work station for his photography business, and other stuff. It was only after he and his family were forced to share the limited resources did he clean his garage and start parking vehicles in there again.

The point I'm trying to make here is that in my opinion, the board that we have in place now is making a considerable effort to make the association better for not just 1 or 2 homeowners, but all 85!

I would like to see 85 names on the next ballot that goes out for electing board members.

I agree that like many other associations, ours isn't perfect, or ideal, but from my perspective it does TRY to keep peace among all the homeowners.

I lived in Pinewood Lake HOA in Bakersfield, CA. I became the board president after 1 meeting !!! Big mistake. There were a lot of power hungry people on the board who kept wanting to raise the HOA fees to keep the "Riff Raff" out, complain because they did not like other people's curtain or drapes in their own homes, like the color of their car, etc.. After 6 months I quit and moved out. No more HOA's for me.

I lived in Pinewood Lake HOA in Bakersfield, CA. I became the board president after 1 meeting !!! Big mistake. There were a lot of power hungry people on the board who kept wanting to raise the HOA fees to keep the "Riff Raff" out, complain because they did not like other people's curtain or drapes in their own homes, like the color of their car, etc.. After 6 months I quit and moved out. No more HOA's for me.

I wanted to add some grass to my postage-sized lot. I contacted the HOA with the request, saying I want my son to have more room to play. A "landscape" member said "No - your son will grow up and not need that".
Later, I married, bringing a total of 4 kids to the family. I handed the design manual to an architect to design an addition. His drawings were beautiful, and guidelines were followed to the letter. The board members were completely unfamiliar with their own guidelines. The HOA design committee said NO without looking at the drawings. I hired a good lawyer who I believe would have beat the HOA, but they began to purposely stretch the review meetings to every two months - meaning it would have taken a year to push through. In the end, I moved - which cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. It was worth it.

I live in Stone Ranch in Montgomery Texas. The POA board is run by control freaks. They have all sorts of violations but the rules don't apply to them. They trespass and do whatever they feel like they own all the houses.
All the neighbors live in fear. The BOD have the ballots rigged and are in bed with the management company.
We fear of losing our homes.

I live in Surfside VI in Port Hueneme, CA, we have CPM Management out of Camarillo, CA, we too have to deal with constant abuse, and unprofessionialism from these damn embezzelors, all for the low, low price of only $415.00 per month. My $600,000 investment is being eaten to the ground by termites, my roof leaks (after paying a 5K assessment)and our tyrant HOA president,(who 2 years ago ran off a decent President) refuses to allow anyone to contact her, but seems to have all the board members including hers, "repairs" (cell phones, gas etc) covered by MY DUES, this is some really corrupt shit! I plan to get to the bottom it. Our beautiful dream of retiring at the beach has become a financial and living HELL!

Just some fyi. The Ventura County DA is prosecuting Buena Towing and Gold COast for illegal towing and collusion I believe. I am not surprised since I have been a victim of illegal towing myself. Most HOA s are a incompetant bunch of idiots.

What is really sad is that in most places, the nices homes are in HOAs and almost all cases the boards a run by bullies. BUT it does not have to be that way all the time. I was president of an HOA board for 5 years and we went to great lengths to make sure that it was a "resident friendly" board. 1,200 homes and although I moved in 2003 owners from there still call and e-mail me asking questions. Where I live now OMG, you want to talk about a bully board! We have tried to vote them out several times but this group formed a semi PAC, even raising funds to pay for their candidates campaign FOR AN HOA ELECTION. Give me a break! One of our local news stations has just started a HOA Hall of Shame and we are on it 3 times.
Sun City, Henderson NV

I never thought that a board of HOA management executives would go so far to control their neighborhoods and communities. You're right, it's not funny.

I love the idea of an HOA Hall of Shame. But unfortunately, all it will do is give the Association a bad name and lower property values. I doubt it would shame anyone on an abusive board.

There's really not much you can do to fight an entrenched board of bullies, not unless you're willing to spend big bucks to fight them. And even then, unless the board has committed some blatantly outrageous abuse, you're not likely to win. Fighting a board is a steeply uphill battle.

Boards know full well that the deck is stacked in their favor against mere unit owners. If you're lucky, your Association will be run by a fairminded and competent board. If you're not so lucky -- watch out.

Donna, you clearly are a strong woman that will not back down to this damn cowardly nazi! You go girl!! I like the way you stand your ground and stand up to this (these) bullies.

Donna, I like the way you stand up fo yourself and others. You probably do not see yourself as a hero but I do. I hope this does sicken HOA , who is clearly on your HOA BOARD, otherwise , what interest would he/she have in this posting?
My HOA wants so badly to tow my car, then fine me. My car is always in my driveway with current tags and everything, and I think it would be grand theft auto to tow it for no or some petty reason. I don't know if I would have any recourse against the HOA calling to get it towed though. I really would like to just open up a can of whoop ass on these cowards but I doubt that any would take on this old man.

I know it's not a contest, but I think my HOA takes the cake as far as bad associations go - it's at least in the bottom 10. The board of directors is made up of angry old people with nothing better to do than create pointless new rules then stare out the window all day and wait to enforce them.
I try very hard to be a quiet and courteous neighbor, but when my guests and I get $50 parking tickets for parking outside my place (especially when the rest of the parking lot is empty), it gets old fast.
The list of pool rules is so long and detailed, it's funny (in a sad way). And hearing neighbors complain about everything from rabbits to using certain fabrics for curtains to which kinds of flags are allowed on decks makes me cry inside.
Reasonable explanations are not available upon request and the office is very difficult to get a hold of if you work during the day. Also, the monthly HOA meetings are held in a garage. Yes, even in the winter. I live in South Dakota.
I hope to escape soon from my first and last condo experience. And before you complain about me complaining and not doing anything about it, you should know I’ve tried – for years. I give up. My place is up for sale. FOR SALE: 2br, 1ba, perfect for someone who never leaves and never has guests.
When I spoke to the HOA about the parking issues, I was told owners need to request guest permits. Eventually, when I was able to get a hold of someone in the office, I requested one and was told I could not have one. The HOA told the office specifically not to give me one. Weeks later after leaving messages and getting the runaround from multiple board members, I was told I could have, quote, "one goddamn guest permit but then no more for the rest of the year." That's right, I'm allowed one guest per year - at my condo - that I own. Awesome.
If you've read this far, please give me some advice - I'm afraid a lawsuit is the only way I'll get anything resolved.

We have a lady as manager who claims she is also the owner of the community property management company, a corporation which claims the president with the same last name as president. She has nothing better to do than pick on a homeowner and is a Nazi Hitler making unsubstantiated accusations without investigating the issues prior to making such accusations which have always been proved wrong.

She underestimates the homeowners knowledge of the law or the CC&R;s, attempting to put fear into the homeowner for penalizing them. I am one of the homeowners having researched all homeowners associations, find that what she is doing is absolutely wrong since it is the law that if the CC&R's are in conflict of the state and federal codes governing such associations (the Davis-Stirling Act), they have the right to file a harassment lawsuit to put such Nazi Hitlers in their place.

I wish ou to post this so that every homeowner should be aware of the laws which can protect them against such scrupulous indviduals who misuse their position and powers.

Billie

I wonder how HOA secures value when most all their homes within that community will have similar value (compared apples to apples)???

If in an upturn... a positive to all.
BUT in that downturn market where buyers rule.... how is that homeowner in that community say keep their own value from dropping / not be affected by that neighborhood unkempt home (lawn not mowed, never weeded, sidings not maintained/washed, had a few tenants that never worked out and hence the insides of the home have long seen abused), losing value due to no upkeep whatsoever even if under threat of fines & violations letters.

I wonder what will happen to that neighborhood???

I also wonder too if the increase in gas will also increase many HOA fees across the nation since the gas effect is seen across the nation. It is only right that should food cost rise due to gas, maintenance fee from "operations" will also increase to sustain the level of maintenance.

Homeowner paying HOA fee = a worry down the road that they may have... why? It is something else besides the normal "buying & selling" of a house that needs to deal w/ lawyers... if & should one get a violation, a fine, a late fee due etc... that HOA that one paid will more than likely too ended needing the expense & expertise of that lawyer.

HOA fee = Very expensive all in all if one brood long & thoughtfully on it.

The board members decided they wanted all mailboxes to conform to their personal style requirements but they ran in to a snag in that the covenants dealt with this in Section 23. Mailboxes. No mailboxes and appurtenant posts and/or structures shall beerected without the prior approval of the ARC. Generally, the foregoing must be of the same type and color as that originally installed by the Declarant and Builders. When the board tried to get the covenants changed per the requirements for a covenant change, this Declaration may be amended upon the affirmative vote or written consent, or any combination thereof, of Owners of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Lots, they failed miserably but that did not stop our band of thieves. We were informed of the following: All new installations or replacements must be made in accordance with new Guideline 15 referred to in the Board of Directors resolution dated January 19, 2012 which is the new mailbox that the Board of Directors wanted in the first place. They have reverted to tactics of negotiating a one time buy of the “New Board Approved” mailbox stating that mailboxes purchased after that time will be subject to $50.00 upcharge. By notice of this correspondence this relaxation of enforcement will end on March 31, 2012. At that time homeowners electing to keep their wooden mailboxes must ensure that they are compliant with Article VI, Section 23 of the protective covenants, must be structurally sound, and must be maintained in accordance with all covenants, rules and guidelines. In short: Homeowners are not required to purchase new mailboxes and may continue to use their existing mailboxes providing they comply with all covenants and meet the ARC guidelines and effective March 31, 2012 enforcement of covenants will resume for all mailboxes. (word is…those who do not comply will meet the wrath of the Board Appointed Mailbox Inspectors).

Wow I thought my asscoiation was bad, I live in a country club golf course with river axcess to go boating. My dream come true,having lived in two other association's with not one problem combined 15 years I built my dream home on the river assome. The day I moved in I got my first of many letters from the association. I can't even tell you what a nightmare it's been 7 years and counting. This month we go to trial so far I'm a 150,000 in fees they have spent 350,000 in attorneys fees, over 10 sq ft of cement. MY attorney and I hope if we win this might just change Calif law, what I can say is don't ever let some person that has a little power run you over, but I hope you have deep pockets to fight the good fight.