Neighborhood Association vs. Home Owners Association

Jeff Hampton penned the following column that ran in the Dallas Morning News last week. 

http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/local-voices/headlines/20110203-jeff-hampton-in-our-neighborhood-association-the-bottom-line-is-community.ece

Lost dogs. Suspicious white van. Plumber needed. Bookshelves for the taking. Coyotes on the prowl. Picnics and movies on the circle. Those are just a few of the e-mail topics that bounce through my Lake Park Estates Neighborhood Association on a daily basis. We’re using 21st century technology to nurture our mid-20th century neighborly lifestyle.


Often, there’s useful information to share. When the city of Dallas moved our trash collection from Friday to Wednesday during the holidays, I learned about it first through the neighborhood e-mails. Good thing, since the city’s automated phone call with the same information came several hours after the trucks had rolled by.


Sometimes there is serious business. A couple of years ago, when a contractor was killed in a flash fire while remodeling one of our homes, the neighborhood rallied with donations to help the man’s family.


And there’s plenty of light-hearted banter. When a neighbor recently asked if anyone else had received a $600 water bill, another answered, “and I thought I flushed the toilet a lot!” Ultimately, real advice flowed, the neighbor discovered that her meter had been misread, and we all learned something in the process.


We’re a far cry from the homeowners associations of the type in Frisco that foreclosed on a family that had fallen behind on their dues. There’s a legal reason for that: We’re a “neighborhood” association and not a “homeowners” association. We don’t have the power to dictate and enforce how members landscape their homes, what kind of vehicles they can park in their driveways, or when and how late they can have parties. Our membership is voluntary, and annual dues are small.


But there’s also a philosophical difference that’s right there in the title. When we look out our windows, we see each other as “neighbors” in a community and not “homeowners” in a real estate development. It’s a huge difference.


That doesn’t mean we don’t care about our property values, crime and safety, and the look of our streets. We have a “yard of the month” contest, volunteer patrols and other activities that motivate us to look sharp and look out for each other. Deed restrictions drafted in 1947 handle building setbacks, materials and things of that nature, but more often than not, we know about our neighbors’ renovations in advance because we often ask each other for referrals.


As with any voluntary organization, some people are more plugged in and engaged than others. I’ve been light on social activities and haven’t been to meetings, the latter because I trust my neighbors who have time for that. But I’ve contributed to the e-mail discussions, provided copy for the newsletter and sponsored the blue and white “Lake Park Estates” sign-topper at my corner.


I understand the desire to protect property values and the need for HOAs to collect fees to maintain common areas. I lived in a condo community near downtown for a number of years, and our monthly HOA dues kept the grass mowed and the common areas maintained. I understand that. But foreclose on someone because they’re late on their dues? And contact them by registered mail instead of a knock on the door? There’s nothing neighborly about that.

With the Texas Legislature in session, lawmakers have the opportunity to consider several bills limiting or ending the foreclosure powers of HOAs. While they’re at it, perhaps they should legislate that all such associations have the word “neighborhood” in the title, just to help establish the proper tone.

Jeff Hampton is a writer/editor who lives in the Casa Linda area of Dallas. He is also a Community Voices volunteer columnist. His e-mail address is Jefton@aol.com, and his website is www.jeffhampton writer.com