IN A twist, residents in one community are vying to raise their homeowner’s associate fees.
The Three Lakes community of Owasso, Oklahoma, located just 20 minutes outside of Tulsa, is hurting for money after many residents failed to pay their fees.
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A park located in the HOA is facing disrepair as a broken bridge is just one feature that needs construction which the community cannot pay for reported local ABC news affiliate KTUL.
“We need new bridges on both ends,” Three Lakes resident Jesse Werner said.
“We need new sidewalks, we need a new playground, we need additional lights in this park.”
According to residents, the reason the park is in such a state is because of the HOA’s finances.
A letter sent to residents explained that the HOA is $5,000 in debt, meaning they cannot finance more repairs and upkeep.
The community imposes a $50 annual fee to all residents, but despite the low cost, many people do not pay.
“About 50% of the homes in the neighborhood don’t pay the fee,” Werner said.
Rosemary Rowe, a Three Lakes resident, said that the HOA needs to be more actionable over missed payments.
“They have to hold the homeowners accountable,” said Rowe.
Werner said that there is much miscommunication and many residents do not even know about the fee.
“I think a lot of people don’t even know there’s an HOA fee,” he explained.
“My mom has owned this house for 32 years and just found out last year there’s an HOA fee.”
FAILING OLD-SCHOOL SYSTEM
Rowe said that the issue is compounded by an antiquated communication system.
Three Lakes was established in the 1970s and has not upgraded its method of communication since.
“All I got is a P.O. box,” Rowe said.
“I have tried reaching the HOA, the city of Owasso has given them my phone number, but I haven’t heard a word.”
Although many HOA residents across the country have complaints over hiked fees and retaliatory HOA practices, these residents of Three Lakes have a different perspective.
Werner is calling for higher fees.
“The biggest problem is the fee is too small,” he said.
“The fee is $50 a year.”
Because the fee is so small, the community does not have the funds to upkeep the property and now residents like Werner are trying to maintain it themselves.
“They just don’t have the money to fix this stuff so as neighbors in the community, we have to come over, step up and do it,” Werner explained.
He has spent hours and thousands of dollars trying to maintain the park himself, but now he wants to turn to more official pathways for a sustainable solution.
The $50 fee was set back in 1970, just like their P.O. Box communication system.
Adjusting for inflation, that $50 in today’s money would be around $400.
“I’m going to try to get my hands more involved with it and see what kind of legal action we can take to increase those fees and make sure we pay them,” Werner said.
KTUL was unable to reach Three Lakes for comment.
What is an HOA?
One in five Americans live in an area with a Homeowners’ Association – or HOA. But what exactly is it that they do?
- An HOA is a homeowner’s association – an organization that aims to maintain a clean and cohesive place to live for its residents.
- Entire neighborhoods, subdivisions, condominiums, family homes, or townhouses within “a planned development” will often make up an HOA.
- They also act as a governing body for tenants, who run and fund the HOA through monthly fees.
- Their principal aims are to keep the community functioning and visually appealing and to maintain property values.
- They primarily focus on common areas of a neighborhood, such as roads, parks, and pools – but may also stipulate what residents can do with their properties, such as yards and driveways.
- Often these restrictions enforce uniformity on properties, for example, ensuring most houses look the same and all driveways are clear of weeds.
- An HOA rulebook of covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&R) is distributed to all residents, and an elected volunteer board of directors enforces these regulations.
- Breaking these rules can result in penalties such as fines and even litigation – as most HOAs are incorporated and subject to state law.
- HOAs are often the subject of controversy, with some members feeling that the rules are too punitive and restricting, or that the leadership has too much power.
- But others like that HOAs give communities the power of self-governance, and can ensure a degree of harmony between residents.
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