We just moved into the area too, we've never received any postcards from the association, even though the yard was a mess until we settled in and cleaned it up.

Reading all this, I'm concerned. I want to paint the house soon, since it's in bad shape, are there any color restrictions or requirements in notifying the assn? i also want to pace a few shrubs and hedges in the front yard, it just looks so empty right now. It'll also serve as a barrier to keep my toddler from running into the street.

I don't want to contact them in case they want to charge me a $500 fee for a house with peeling paint and then charge me again for filing out some sort of repainting request.

Suggestions? Thanks!

Hi F.l. Dr.,

I'm really sorry to hear about your problems!

Have you spoken with anyone from the Association about your yard? The phone number should be on the letter you received, and maybe their office hours too? I forget where I actually came across their office hours, not that they actually keep to them....but you can always leave a message.

I called several times, before I was able to reach an actual person, who cut me off in the middle of my explanation to say, "let me guess, you bought a house, and your yard is a mess?" Answering affirmative to that query, I was told that they would let inspector for my area know that the house was recently purchased and I was working on the yard. I never heard from them again....

Now, it's a little bit frustrating to think that someone is going around keeping track of messy yards, but not what houses were foreclosures/for sale and thus have terrible yards. Even more frustrating that it seems they can't put two and two together. However, I think the case is, that things aren't exactly that organized in the Association.

I imagine that the inspectors are volunteers, and they can only do so much. That being said, if your yard meets the general "husbandry" that you would think they require, I would bet they just forgot to take you off the list. Annoying? Yes. Probable? Judging by my experience with them, yep again.

I would call them.

As for the neighbors yards? They probably got the letters too, and are doing what they can to fix it up. My friend and my next door neighbor both got the letters, and I imagine so did everyone else who is putting in a new lawn right now (of which I have seen several).

As for opting out, my friend and I both discussed that and we still aren't clear on what that section means. I would again contact them, and ask them to clarify. However, after I got over my initial surprise/anger/resentment of the Association, I realized that they're just trying to keep our neighborhood a better place. The letter was annoying, but it got me to put in a new lawn, and several of my neighbors have dropped by to tell me it looks great. That community feeling was totally worth it....

Speaking of community, if you contacted them, fixed up your yard, and they're still giving you a hard time, please let me know, because I'd like to be a good neighbor and help you out too!

Hi Flansy, I am a home owner in the Fairmont Division and did not realize this until after I purchased my house as a foreclosure. I have received "several" post cards in the mail regarding lawn maintenance and weeding. I have also spent lots of money and time upkeeping my front yard over the past year. I just received a letter telling me I have to meet with the Subdivision Office to discuss my plans to upkeep my yard once again, except this time, they said they would charge me a $500. fee, plus $17. a day up to 30 days until my yard is in "compliance"? My yard is mowed, weeded and kept up?? So I have no idea why they are harrassing me so much at this time. I did look at Section XXII in the Declarations, and it does state Membership is association not required. Have you challenged them on this? I would definately like to Opt. out of the association if I am not required to be a member! I have also noticed many other yards in much worse shape than mine, plus homes with garbage and junk cluttered in and around the front of there homes...just curious if anyone else is getting harrassing letters like me??? Sincerely, F.L. Dr.

Really I appreciate that you read the CCR's. I will go to that section and read it since I had always thought that it was mandatory. They are a fairly quiet association now. In the old days ( notice there are Palm trees in front of most Fairmont homes) if you did not keep your Palm tree or maintain it, the Association would replant one and send you a bill. Luckily they do not do that anymore. The last thing they did was protest a 5000 square foot house but that was many many years ago.

Sue, you're right $19 really isn't anything, but it is more than is stated in the CC&Rs, and I thought I would ask, since you seemed to be a local expert. Also, if you get a chance or even felt like it, you could look at section XXII which is titled "Membership in association not required," and be aware of what I am referring to.

I just looked at 6 homes for sale in the Fairmont area, and none of them list the FSIA or their dues in the listing. It's not unusual that people dislike organizations that tell them what color they can paint their home, and it just seems that this should be the kind of thing disclosed upfront.

Honestly, it's not bothering me too much, but since it surprised both my friend, and myself, I would think this could happen to others, and hope this thread puts a bit more information out there (which wouldn't be hard considering how little there actually is).

$19 per year is really nothing but I really do not think it is voluntary.

Jeff: Thank you for that tip about my preliminary title report, I was able to pull out that PDF and there was a link in there for a site hosting the CC&Rs.

Sue: When was the last time you sold a house in that area, if I'm reading this correctly, $19 is more than they're allowed to charge. Also, it seems to read that membership is voluntary.

Jeff is right that those documents should have been shown on the Preliminary Title Report. The agent who listed the house and the agent who sold you the house should have known about this. Last time I did a transaction in Fairmont the dues were $19 per year. They do watch for neighborhood tidiness, etc. They are very small and there should have been a transfer from the old owner to you at the time you closed escrow. There is the benefit of using a local REALTOR because we all know about the Fairmont Association and also local title companies are also aware.

Hi Flansy,

Usually the name of the HOA is on your preliminary title report that you received from the title company and the CC&R's are usually available upon request for your review. Sometimes the association is so small, there is not a lot of information about them.