How a single shed in a Florida backyard triggered a flurry of HOA lawsuits costing local homeowners thousands
The old friendly neighbors in Stonebriar, a quiet subsection in Northern Pinellas district of Florida, contradict more than $ 82,000 in which the host’s association (HOA) is taken.
A lot of money – $ 1,400 per household.
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“It is crazy to ask people to pay this”, settled Ken Christensen said ABC Action News. “We have a life outside our mortgage payments. Personally, I have a son in a hockey. There are people with children in the university.”
Unlike regular HOA dues, special assessments are one -time fees designed to cover unexpected expenses.
However, this follows another special assessment of the Stonebriar Improvement Association last year for $ 35,000 or $ 595 per household.
The situation once caused an anger to explode in the tolerant East Lake community, which once composed of 59 single family houses.
“When we get a letter showing why this assessment is necessary, people really reacted,” calm Dorothy King said.
It is the contradictory justification of the inhabitants. The Board raises the money to pay legal wages in a long legal war with a resident: John Siams.
As in many wars, it began on a seemingly small thing.
The heart of the conflict
It all started in 2020 when Siasas founded what he described as a small “plastic, instant hut” in his backyard. The HOA Board said that the structure violated a rule that banned additional buildings in Stonebriar and filed a lawsuit against Siama and demanded it to download it.
“He put a club and the treaties did not specify any shed – and the Board of Directors asked him to take it out. He said no.” He said. “Something after another, now we have a case.”
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Siasas said on his behalf that he told the Stonebriar Improvement Association’s plan to establish a club and that the board never rejected it. Watch out, they did not accept.
Now Siams have already increased a tense situation with the board of directors by trying to brand HoA’s name: Stonebriar Improvement Association, Inc.
“I think it’s stupid, Pap Pope said. “Why should he do it?”
Many calm, against HoA’s costly legal wars are stupid.
The trademark case will cost 425 dollars per hour for 141 hours by November 2026. Former Stonebriar HOA President Stephen King, Stonebriar Improvement Association for 33 years without the trademark of the community for 33 years because the trademark war is unnecessary, he said.
In the meantime, Siasas federal complaints against HOA President Gayle Zelcs, federal complaints about the trademark struggle of the board of directors, and he and the board of directors tried to ruin him financially and to force him to “sell his house” and to leave Stonebriar.
Christensen acknowledges that it causes unnecessary financial difficulties in a war defined by the board of directors and chairman as “nonsense .. He wants things to return to normal.
“This is a good family neighborhood,” he said. “In the past, there was no peace, there was no drama.”
How can HOA residents protect themselves?
Living in a community governed by HOA comes with financial responsibilities that may go far beyond monthly dues.
Special assessments for non -budget abnormalities such as legal wages, structural repairs or emergencies can often cost thousands of dollars to homeowners with very little warning.
Unlike traditional emergency costs (such as car repair or medical invoice), HOA assessments, strict payment deadline and legal results for not paying can be unharified and sensitive to time.
Even though you don’t completely avoid them, there are things you can do to make sure you are prepared:
Budget for unexpected. Plan financial risks by creating an HOA emergency reserve in addition to your general emergency fund. Many hoa put aside 25 to 40% of the monthly dues for reserves to avoid sudden assessments.
For individual homeowners, this ideally means $ 2,000 to 5,000 dollars.
To predict what you need, review the budget of your HOA, the reserve work (summarizing the envisaged expenditures) and understanding the upcoming projects and potential obligations.
If you see any red flag – cases, aging buildings, uncertain expense reports – increase your reserve savings accordingly.
Review the management documents early. If you are in a condominium market, understand the rules for special assessments before purchasing. For example, the Florida law requirements At least 14 days of notification before forming a special evaluation meeting.
Push for transparency. Join the meetings, the wages clearly requesting a fault and question exorbitant or unusual costs – like $ 82,000 in trademark legal expenses.
Build community alliances. Get to know your neighbors and understand your worries and questions. When you are on a combined front, it is easier to vote for new board members, to re -negotiate payment terms or to challenge unjust assessments.
Know your rights. Floor ownership panels cannot always apply unlimited assessments without the approval of the owner. HOAs may face similar restrictions depending on state laws and regulations that are subject to subjects. If the actions of the Board appear suspicious, call a legal adviser.
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This article only provides information and should not be interpreted as advice. It is provided without any warranty.
