In latest edition of The Weekly Wright Report:
- Spring Cleaning Home Projects: Tips for Working with Your Homeowners Association
Spring Cleaning Home Projects: Tips for Working with Your Homeowners Association
Every Spring people have high hopes around the home. You’ve got to expand the flower bed, pull weeds, fix the fence, replace gutters, mow grass, trim trees, etc. Your list may also have even bigger projects. New fences, bigger decks, landscaping, in-ground pools, and other projects may go a long way in making your summer more enjoyable, but if not carefully planned and executed, you may get tangled up with legal headaches stemming from those things intended to create less stress at home.
Homeowners associations were created to ensure that neighborhoods and communities maintain a certain degree of aesthetic value and uniformity. A neighbor could file a complaint about a possible code violation if in fact codes are violated. None of this even comes close to the ire of an angry neighbor.
So what can you do to avoid unforeseen legal hassles? Here are a few tips that will hopefully keep you on everyone’s good side:
- Hire a contractor who will file for all of the necessary permits. Each county has their own regulations regarding residential development, including rules for decks, additions, fences and pools. Making sure your contractor knows and will follow the rules set by the County makes everything go smoother and gives you confidence that your contractor has the necessary experience.
- If you have doubts, reach out to the homeowner’s association. You may be required to submit your project plans to the architectural committee, but don’t wait to find out until there is already a giant mud pool in your backyard.
- Make sure your contractor is aware of noise ordinances and parking regulations in your neighborhood. No one wants to wake up early on a Saturday to hammers and circular saws.
- Property lines can be a sticking point, so make sure the work being performed is on your land and not across restricted easements. Not 100% sure? Hire a surveyor to determine property lines before you begin any work.
- Most importantly, talk to your neighbors and let them know you’re embarking on a project. A quick visit will be appreciated and may minimize or eliminate neighbor complaints which interfere with your project.
If you have any questions about this post please contact Neil Lanzi at nlanzi@wcslaw.com/410-659-1390.