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 vic102482
Premium
join:2002-04-30
Upper Marlboro, MD
1 edit | Not right THat is definatly not right. Especially if someone doesnt even use Inet service they still ahve to pay HOA fees.
And you know what, We are getting FIOS to our entire community, and I have a VERY STRONG suspicion that this will result in the same situation. (I am a huge lover of FIOS, but I will vote against this if it comes to pass).
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I tie a rope around my penis and jump from a tree, don't you wanna grow up to be just like me!!!! | |
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technick
Premium
join:2000-12-16
Loganville, GA
| Re: Not right It should not be apart of the HOA agreement really, though if someone moves in to a new home and signs the HOA agreement then it is required. It's kind of like the argument about swim / tennis communites. "We never go swimming so why do we pay higher HOA fees?". Well because you agreed to them when you moved in.
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"Our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising everytime we fall." - Confucius - - - - - - - - - - - Streamfire.net- - AIM - CoNFuCiUsNiCk | |
| | | 
en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
 ·RoadRunner Cable
 ·DSL EXTREME
| Re: Not right Agreed - however, typically items such as pool/tennis courts are for community use, and not individual use. This is similar to mello roos here in So. Cal, where the developer put in their own roads/streets/infrastructure outside of the city, and owners have to foot the bill themselves. This was done out here in Stevenson Ranch a while back with a community owned cable company offering slow internet, limited cable TV, and higher prices. Eventually they were sold off to TimeWarner (a good thing!). I do think as an HOA member, the HOA should be able to rid the provider if they do not provide adequate service and competitive pricing. | |
| | | | | | | | | | | mglunt
join:2001-09-10
Fredericksburg, VA
 ·Verizon FIOS
| Re: Not right Home Owners Association.
These people own their homes too, but pay fees to keep the community looking nice, to fund a community pool, community tennis courts etc. Often times the HOA has a deal with a trash company at cheaper rates, etc. HOA's also tell people what they can and can't do to the exterior of the house... like paint it purple and pink.
There is a HOA board comprised of the Home Owners in the community as well.
Generally you find these in planned development (a ton of them around here). A Housing company will buy a multi lot piece of ground... put a bunch of houses on it, then sell the houses. (Usually they are sold before being built and the new Homeowner picks options for the house, etc). Around here, unless yuou buy your own house and hire your own contractor, a new house is going to come with an HOA.
In this case, the builder is signing deals with Cox to provide service (probably with a small discount) to all the houses to be paid for with the HOA fees. If you don't want Cox, you still have to pay the HOA fees which cover the Cox payment. So in effect, you are paying for Cox and DTV for example. | |
| | 
a
@qwest.net
| in today's real world, if 1,000.00 per year, give or take, is going to make you or break you than i suggest you lower your housing standards just a little. most people that buy new homes today don't even think about the cost of Internet access, it's not even an issue, besides, they expect it to be included in the monthly payment. the only thing they are pissed about is that a lot of them still have to call for technical support even thou they make high 5 to low 6 figures a year but can't connect by themselves. | |
| | | | | | | RJ44
join:2001-10-19
Nashville, TN
| Re: Not right said by gigahurtz  : Internet access should NEVER be apart of HOA fees, period. For the sake of argument...why not? Developers use it as a selling point, people are aware of it when they buy the property. So why not?
RJ | |
| | | | | N3EVL
join:2004-12-13
Shrewsbury, MA | Re: Not right Sure, let them offer it *as an option* that you can accept or decline (with appropriate reduction in HOA fees) and be free to select your own provider. | |
| | | | | | RJ44
join:2001-10-19
Nashville, TN
| Re: Not right said by N3EVL :Sure, let them offer it *as an option* that you can accept or decline (with appropriate reduction in HOA fees) and be free to select your own provider. I don't think you understand how exclusive agreements work. The developer and the service provider strike a deal based on total number of units. Those units are guaranteed to the provider, who in turn gives a special rate to the developer based on the number of units. Nobody pays developers for the right to compete against everyone else, they pay for exclusive rights.
The point is that the customer HAS an option. If they don't want internet access and/or whatever else from the exclusive provider, they can buy a home elsewhere. Nobody's forcing them. It's just a marketing tactic. "This home comes with Brand X Internet/Cable/Telephone/Whatever." Take it, or leave it. I don't see the need to claim that it should never be done like that.
RJ | |
| | | | | | | vic102482
Premium
join:2002-04-30
Upper Marlboro, MD
1 edit | Re: Not right said by RJ44 :The point is that the customer HAS an option. If they don't want internet access and/or whatever else from the exclusive provider, they can buy a home elsewhere. Nobody's forcing them. It's just a marketing tactic. "This home comes with Brand X Internet/Cable/Telephone/Whatever." Take it, or leave it. I don't see the need to claim that it should never be done like that. RJ Last time I checked, when you bought a house you owned it, and everything on your property (minus taxes). You should not be forced into a busniess agreement that has nothing to do with the immediate dwelling or appearance of your home.
"This house comes with netflix" take it or leave it lol yeah right.
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I tie a rope around my penis and jump from a tree, don't you wanna grow up to be just like me!!!! | |
| | | | | | | | RJ44
join:2001-10-19
Nashville, TN
2 edits | Re: Not right said by vic102482 :Last time I checked, when you bought a house you owned it, and everything on your property (minus taxes). And the last time I checked, when you bought a house that came with a Homeowner's Agreement, that was part of the contract you signed when you bought the house. If I don't like a contract, I generally don't sign them. I don't sign them and then go crying about the terms I just agreed to. | |
| | | | | | | | | vic102482
Premium
join:2002-04-30
Upper Marlboro, MD
1 edit | Re: Not right said by RJ44 : If I don't like a contract, I generally don't sign them. I don't sign them and then go crying about the terms I just agreed to. Thats good for you:). Now to deal with whats acutally *on* those contracts as permitted by law for everyone else. The justice department has a bone to pick with them as well, or do they not know anything about contracts either?:p
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I tie a rope around my penis and jump from a tree, don't you wanna grow up to be just like me!!!! | |
| | | | | | | | | | RJ44
join:2001-10-19
Nashville, TN
| Re: Not right said by vic102482 :[The justice department has a bone to pick with them as well, or do they not know anything about contracts either?:p Oh. Well if the justice department has an opinion that automatically proves they're right. Thank God we have the government there to protect people who aren't smart enough to know what the hell they want by themselves.
I'll try not to get too sarcastic here though. The fact of the matter is it's an AGREEMENT. Some people actually want it, therefore they AGREE to it. If you don't want it, don't AGREE by signing it. Why should the government give a damn? | |
| | | | | | | | | | vic102482
Premium
join:2002-04-30
Upper Marlboro, MD
1 edit | Re: Not right said by RJ44 :said by vic102482 :[The justice department has a bone to pick with them as well, or do they not know anything about contracts either?:p Oh. Well if the justice department has an opinion that automatically proves they're right. Thank God we have the government there to protect people who aren't smart enough to know what the hell they want by themselves. I'll try not to get too sarcastic here though. The fact of the matter is it's an AGREEMENT. Some people actually want it, therefore they AGREE to it. If you don't want it, don't AGREE by signing it. Why should the government give a damn? Same logic for you buddy: "Oh look Micorosoft made them sign a contract so it must be legal and fair".... It is because this AGREEMENT doesnt allow freedom of choice. This aint China homeboy. You should be allowed to choose where you buy your car, where you eat your food, and from whom you get your TV service. Hence investigation of ANTI TRUST in relation to this issue. No one is talking about homeowners here. You keep going back to signing an agreement when you buy the home, Im not talking about that right now. It is not because the Justice Department has an opinion that they are automatically right, it is more about freedom of choice. Because someone does something of their own power doesnt make them right. Because SBC signs a contract to provide FORCED service to a property that they do NOT own or contribute to then they are wrong. NOW comes the next step about signing the agreement between the homeowner and the company, you keep talking about the homeowner, Im talking about the practices of the SBC. FOR THE HOMEOWNER just because someone slaps some terms down on a contract doesnt make it legal. You sign a contract with billy bob authorizing you to steal his wifes car....
.....
You do know federal law and state law overrides any agreements that you can come up with, including companies like Verizon Microsoft and the like right? Anti trust has to do with federal law, so if the government comes back and says it is in violation (which they will because it doesnt allow a user to switch) then what is SBC going to do write up a new contract with the HOA? People often confuse the two. An agreement is exactly that, it doesnt exscuse you from obeying REAL laws and regulations.:)
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I tie a rope around my penis and jump from a tree, don't you wanna grow up to be just like me!!!! | |
| | | | | | | | | | RJ44
join:2001-10-19
Nashville, TN
| Re: Not right said by vic102482 :[Same logic for you buddy: "Oh look Micorosoft made them sign a contract so it must be legal and fair".... It is because this AGREEMENT doesnt allow freedom of choice. This aint China homeboy. You should be allowed to choose where you buy your car, where you eat your food, and from whom you get your TV service. First off, I'm neither your buddy nor your "homeboy". Obviously we have a difference in philosophy here. Freedom of choice? Please describe for me how the agreements we're talking about restrict my freedom of choice. Are the developers or the service providers pointing a gun at anyone's head forcing them to buy? I have a choice, although it's a concept you seem to not be able to grasp. If I like the deal, I take it. If I don't, I walk.
I'm happy that you want the government making your choices for you. I'm sad that you seem incapable of handling the responsibility yourself. And I'm done with you dancing around the point and refusing to admit that you have a choice, so good luck with the government running your life.
RJ | |
| | | | | | | | | | vic102482
Premium
join:2002-04-30
Upper Marlboro, MD
| Re: Not right said by RJ44 : Please describe for me how the agreements we're talking about restrict my freedom of choice. I'm happy that you want the government making your choices for you. Yup I think we are about done here.:p
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I tie a rope around my penis and jump from a tree, don't you wanna grow up to be just like me!!!! | |
| | | | | vic102482
Premium
join:2002-04-30
Upper Marlboro, MD
| said by RJ44 :said by gigahurtz : Internet access should NEVER be apart of HOA fees, period. For the sake of argument...why not? Developers use it as a selling point, people are aware of it when they buy the property. So why not? RJ Whats more messed up is I am getting it NOW, so this may be a NEW fee that I most certainly did NOT have when I originally moved here. Nothing in the covenent about internet access either. Now I personally will welcome FIOS (anyone that is a DSLR member rightfully should:p) but for the sake of everyone elkse, I will just as soon vote it down or stop it if I had the chance.
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I tie a rope around my penis and jump from a tree, don't you wanna grow up to be just like me!!!! | |
| | Kearnstd
Elf Wizard
Premium
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ | i know condos have a fee for maintaining the building and the grounds, but i dont see how a neighborhood can have fees unless its one of those gated deals.
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[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports | |
| navalpatel
join:2003-07-28
Lubbock, TX | . How is this any different than these providers striking up deals with cities for the exclusive right to provide cable/dsl service... you can dress up a pig as much as you want, but a pig is still a pig.
move on | |
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woody7
Premium
join:2000-10-13
Torrance, CA
·EarthLink
·DSL EXTREME
| Re: . said by navalpatel :How is this any different than these providers striking up deals with cities for the exclusive right to provide cable/dsl service... you can dress up a pig as much as you want, but a pig is still a pig. move on who says this is right? I'm surprised this is not being investigated..........
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BlooMe | |
| hadirtyJlo
join:2004-03-31
Elk Grove, CA | good deal bingo, theres several housing developments in the hampton roads area that are under the preferred provider umbrella, and not just with cox or qwest. im glad to see that someones finally got enough guns to go after them | |
| pooker314
join:2005-04-12
Brush Prairie, WA
| check state laws In many states, developers cannot obligate HOAs to service contracts that last more than a few years beyond turnover of the HOA from the developer to the owners. For example, in Oregon, HOAs can terminate such agreements that go beyond the maximum period of time without penalty. Of course, the HOA would have to take this action (not individual homeowners) but if they were getting screwed badly enough, it shouldn't be difficult to convince enough owners to get the HOA to act (unless they are all employees of the ISP in question). | |
| | | Ga Dawg
join:2003-09-11
Marietta, GA
| Re: Sorta in the same boat said by moby866 :I moved into a new development last August and I am basically chained to Comcast for TV and internet. I am not allowed to have a dish, and when I asked why they said the owner had made a deal with comcast for them to come in and wire the place up and they would then be the exclusive provider for the area and they would not allow dish to be installed. And as for DSL, SBC won't hook up this area with an RT that can handle DSL, and I highly doubt they will anytime soon either. No HOA has the authority to deny you a dish.
»www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html | |
| | | | | | | markopoleo
join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO
·Charter Pipeline
| Re: Sorta in the same boat Actually a Landlord can prohibit a dish for whatever reason. Own apartments only way i let them have a dish if its not on building (pole) and does not get in way of general use around building.
If a landlord tells you no to putting dish on building/porch you better listen, they can file criminal charges if its mounted to building for damage.  Lucky most people are reasonable and when a landlord says no they don't do it, but does not stop some people. | |
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roamer1
sticking it out at you
join:2001-03-24
Atlanta, GA
clubs:
| Re: Sorta in the same boat A landlord can prohibit installing a dish in a manner that causes damage to the building (holes in walls, etc.), but cannot prohibit mere use of a dish if the dish is in an area where the tenant has "exclusive use and control", like a patio or balcony. It sounds to me that what you require is perfectly consistent with FCC regs, and may even go beyond the FCC regs a bit.
HOAs in fee-simple townhome communities (like the one I live in) and single-family developments have even less of a say when it comes to dishes; they can require that dishes be mounted out of sight IF it won't impede reception, but that's about it.
-SC
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"it seems like all you ever buy is Abercrombie and cell phones" --a friend | |
| | | | | robbin
Premium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX
| said by markopoleo :Actually a Landlord can prohibit a dish for whatever reason. Own apartments only way i let them have a dish if its not on building (pole) and does not get in way of general use around building. If a landlord tells you no to putting dish on building/porch you better listen, they can file criminal charges if its mounted to building for damage. Lucky most people are reasonable and when a landlord says no they don't do it, but does not stop some people. As a landlord myself, I would advise you to read the federal OTARD rules. This is one of the exact scenarios which it was written for. The tenant has rights also. If the tenant has a private porch / balcony they are free to do with it as they like. The dish is allowed unless it overhangs outside of the railing!  | |
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WhyADuck
Premium
join:2003-03-05
| Congratulations, you have just proved that you have no idea what you're talking about. The FCC has specific regulations that pre-empt (take precedence over) even state and local laws, let alone a landlord's rules, and as others have pointed out, tenants do have rights to erect satellite dishes even if the landlord is adamantly opposed to the idea. There are certain conditions and since I don't have the law in front of me I won't presume to say what they are, but if you have a balcony with an open view to the south you are golden.
However, commenting on the original topic under discussion, I must say that I have no idea why anyone would move into these types of planned developments in the first place. To me those developments are about two levels removed from being in a prison camp (that you have to pay dearly to be in, no less). It makes about as much sense to buy into one of those developments as to go out and ask to be raped, IMHO, because you are basically giving away the freedom to do with your property the things that most homeowners take for granted. But, to each his own, I guess (although I really feel sorry for your family if you move them into one of those encampments). | |
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zoom314
Superman
Premium
join:2001-04-30
Yermo, CA
| said by Ga Dawg :said by moby866 :I moved into a new development last August and I am basically chained to Comcast for TV and internet. I am not allowed to have a dish, and when I asked why they said the owner had made a deal with comcast for them to come in and wire the place up and they would then be the exclusive provider for the area and they would not allow dish to be installed. And as for DSL, SBC won't hook up this area with an RT that can handle DSL, and I highly doubt they will anytime soon either. No HOA has the authority to deny you a dish. » www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html I agree, As the former President of a small HOA(12 units) in San Gabriel CA, FCC rules and Federal Law trumps HOA on this within reason, A dish can be mounted on a post, non-common wall or Balcony that faces the southern sky. Although some years ago some would say It will hurt the value of our units, It was largely a lot of Bull.... put out by a few owners, In My case It was a stupid Treasurer who controlled the place like Her own personal Kingdom(She owned and rented 2 units and lived off site and thought She could do anything that She wanted), All I was there for was as an English speaking figurehead and I moved out with My mother after 2 years and Yeah I made $20,000.00 on that 2 story condo. If I'd been well off then I would have put Dish Network in and hired an FCC regulation proficient Lawyer as She was too big for Her Asian britches and needed Her wrists slapped. And yeah I still know where the place is too, Not that I'd live there, As It's right next to a concrete lined creek. Although I could one day If I wanted to, I just can't climb stairs as well as I used to.
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Firefox forever!
»zoom314.blogspot.com/
»mysite.verizon.net/zoom314/ | |
| | firestalker
join:2000-09-21
Canton, MI | Heck, I know how you feel. I bought a condo and I am stuck with comcast for internet, tv, and even phones. Heck they didn't even run copper in this whole complex so you can't get a copper phone line if you wanted. | |
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Unregistered user
@cofs.net | As the other poster told you, this is definitely illegal. Contact the FCC immediately. They ought to be able to give the developer an attitude adjustment.
1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) | |
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Fatal Vector
@aol.com
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Umm...I think, if you look into it, you'll find that there is a federal preemption (via the FCC-WWW.FCC.gov) as far as contracts restricting satellite dishes that applies to HOA's, landlords, management companies etc. It is not legal for them to ban satellite dishes, especially in cases where your only other choice is a monopoly provider. This kind of thing with apartment managers is why this preemption came about. | |
| 
basket case
Premium
join:2005-02-28
right here? | ? shows just what kind of company they really are to be resorting to such lowball and quite reasonably illeagle buisness practices. must not be worth a crap if they have to stoop to that leval just to drum up future buisness. I HATE CORPORATE GREED! | |
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X_Digit
Binary Enhanced
Premium
join:2003-06-12
Mansfield, TX
| Re: ? said by basket case :I HATE CORPORATE GREED! Welcome to the good 'ol USA!
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Respectfully, X_Digit | |
| | | gpancner
join:2001-09-27
Nine Mile Falls, WA | Re: ? Fight the trend of the really oppressed- MOVE OUT!! | |
| bogey780
join:2004-03-19
Here | Several locations I know of... A local apartment owner made a deal where his apartments use exclusively Cox Cable. You simply can't have Bellsouth or any other local provider even though facilities are in place. | |
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See 6 replies to this post | |
needforspeed59
Cruise Ship Just Passing Through
join:2001-05-02
Glendale, AZ | It's a Two Way Street Seems like this is not something the phone or cable co's are forcing on the developers. It sounds like a two way negotiated deal.
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Of all the people I know... you're one of them. | |
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bokamba
Chengdu Rocks
Premium
join:2002-04-05
Falls Church, VA | Which Justice Department? Is the article in that local paper speaking of the Arizona state justice department or the United States Department of Justice? | |
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See 10 replies to this post | |
Xelha
join:2004-02-10
Venice, FL | handcuffed Here in Florida a lot of gated communities have agreements with the cable co. We pay a reduced rate for service. But here digital and internet are billed directly to the consumer. | |
| 
Dagda1175
join:2001-06-17
Goleta, CA | Illegal? Doubtful. Crappy, yes. No one should be caught surprised by this though. Well....ok its scary how often people sign something without reading it first! If you dont like it, dont move there! | |
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OceanaJones
join:2004-10-18
Suffolk, VA
| Your choice People who buy into these communes where your property and constitutional rights are severely limited or controlled by others deserve what they signed up for. Personally, if I was spending my hard earned money on a place to live, I would thumb my nose the first time a HOA agreement was thrust into my face. But then, some people... seems like a lot... don't have a problem being controlled this way. The
big corporations (cable companies) don't like dealing with individual customers so this works out great for them. | |
| | averagedude
join:2002-01-30
Mesa, AZ | Re: Your choice Out here in the West (CA and AZ).
It "seems" here that every community has a HOA.
Its not like we have a choice. | |
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WhyADuck
Premium
join:2003-03-05
| Re: Your choice Aren't there any homes that predate these things for sale anywhere? Can you buy a vacant piece of property that's not in a HOA and develop it yourself?
Here's a suggestion for people who value freedom more than aesthetics (though I'm not suggesting you have to live in a run-down shack or anything). Find a piece of property that is in an older area, that's not part of a planned development - go visit nearby township halls and talk to township officials to find such areas, and be sure to ask what the minimum lot size is for building, so you don't make the mistake of buying something too small. Then when you find a lot (accept that it may be a little ways out of town), go see a builder that specializes in modular homes (note I am NOT talking about mobile homes, that is something completely different. Modular homes are built in a factory and transported to the building site in sections, and are usually set into place using a crane). In all probably you will be surprised for the amount of home you can get for your money, and if the builder has been in business very long he will be able to get all the necessary site preparation taken care of (getting utilities installed, etc.). In many areas, the day you move in it will be worth $10K or $20K more (maybe much more, depending on the neighborhood) than what you paid for it. One caveat - always get references from the builder (previous customers) and always talk to them and ask them what they liked about their home and what they would do differently if they had it to do over. If a builder won't give any references then run, don't walk. I cannot emphasize that enough - never deal with a builder that refuses to give any references!
Try to see the builder before you pay for the lot, the builder can alert you to any potential problems. One of the best ways to find building lots is to go look in an area that's been around for a while but still has a lot of unoccupied land, and look for "for sale" signs on the property (also the township officials may be helpful in this regard, sometimes they know of lots for sale that aren't advertised). Be sure you get a warranty deed, and/or invest in title insurance, because you won't be able to get a bank loan for your home if there is any question whether you got clear title to the land (again, the builder can often help with this process - and when I say help I mean they can point you to the proper professionals, such as the title insurance company).
One thing you should be careful about is if the builder is selling lots himself. Try to find one that is NOT running a real estate business on the side, otherwise he will try and steer you to his lots and you will never be able to trust any negative opinion he gives you on any lot, since there will always be the question of whether he's trying to get you to buy one of his. You will not be amused if his "great deal" turns out to be in a flood plain, or next door to a former toxic waste site or something like that, and builders who don't sell land (and aren't in cahoots with anyone who does) tend to be more honest about things like that.
Obviously I haven't lived everywhere in the U.S. so there may be places where the above advice won't work for some reason - I know it will work in many parts of the midwest but can't say how different things are in your neck of the woods. But I think for many people it's just a matter of opening their minds to other possibilities, and especially not listening to real estate agents who have a vested interest in selling you an already-built home, and the most expensive one they think you can afford at that. Of course, I know there are some people who think it is a good thing to live in one of those horrible planned developments (and still I do not understand why), but seriously I'd rather be taken out and shot than to be forced to live in one of those (the developers would have to pay ME to get me to live in one, and I'm talking big bucks!).
Maybe others will have additional hints, perhaps some specific to your region, but I just wanted to try to expand your thinking a bit. You ALWAYS have choices, you just don't know what all of them are. | |
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GlobalMind
Domino Dude, POWER Systems Guy
Premium
join:2001-10-29
Hollywood, FL
| Re: Your choice said by WhyADuck :Aren't there any homes that predate these things for sale anywhere? Can you buy a vacant piece of property that's not in a HOA and develop it yourself? Depends on where you are. There isn't exactly lots of free open property here in South Florida.
To OceanaJones statement that our "constitutional rights are severely limited" -- this is overstating a bit in my view. This isn't a general statement you can make about every HOA. If done correctly, the HOA works to both provide services and maintain the property value of the area through the use of aesthetic standards but is largely RESIDENT controlled. This is not some outside entity making the decisions.
Trust me - everyone around me are very much free thinkers - who don't take any crap. You should see our board meetings.
The value of my home went up $30k in 6 months - and if the folks next door could have a 78 Olds on blocks in the street...I doubt this would be the case. : )
K.
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TheGlobalMind.com
Forget regret, or life is yours to miss - Rent | |
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PixelFreak
Innocent Until Proven Guilty
join:2001-02-21
Bremerton, WA
| Re: Apartments said by ctceo :You'd be surprised what these complexes get away with because you are small and they are big. Actually, you could say that, or you could also see my post above where I explain the difference in rights between a leaseholder and an owner.
Lease = leasehold interest (inferior to ownership interest), don't own building, therefore not liable for costs incurred in upkeep, property taxes, loss of building, etc. (now, you are paying for some of that through built in pricing, but you are not responsible for the building as an owner - and can even sue your landlord for certain breaches in contract).
Owner = ownership interest (you can even lease it out), responsible for EVERYTHING that happens, costs, etc. Higher interest, higher responsibility, therefore less restrictions on your rights. (Government control through zoning ordinances and in certain cases, enforceable HOA covenants that burden title to the land.)
As a renter, your have a subservient right to only occupy the building and hold your landlord accountable for ensuring certain living conditions are not interrupted (leaks, safe stairs, etc.) As an owner, you have a higher responsibility (you answer for all lawsuits on your property whether you live there or not), pay property taxes directly, and can use the land any way you wish (within reason and zoning restrictions - again, government control, not private business control).
Hope this helps you understand why apartment LEASES can have these overbearing terms included and enforced - you are not the owner, you are agreeing to abide by rules to live in someone else's building. You give up equity (your rent does not give you any ownership interest over time) for less responsibility and accountability (within the leasehold agreement).
PixelFreak | |
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footballdude
Premium
join:2002-08-13
Imperial, MO | Why Why wouldn't the builder simply put in a small transmitter and provide wireless internet for the whole development? Seems to me they could get a pretty good deal from some ISP if they go that route. | |
| | 
teach
Premium
join:2000-09-21
Denver, CO | Re: Why almost sounds like what the munies are trying to do. | |
| | | yourwhitesha
join:2005-04-03
Chandler, AZ
| Re: Why oooh, trustbusting? someone call TR-the official trustbuster. personally, i am pro-option, if you want to use it, use it-makes bill payment easier-but if you don't want it, you don't need it. this concerns me as i live in arizona, and we could move anytime to a new house. HOA usually don't do crap and are just out to make money. they charge you unnecessary fines, but then when their leaves are constantly falling into your backyard(ie. the situation at my house)they don't do crap , they expect you to clean your weeds and their leaves, and then when you don't clean your weeds they fine you. HOA are unnecessary, and making people sign this contract is a very very big monopoly. Make people pay a secondary fee to use another ISP? I think not...I pay $50 for HOA anyways, then tac on COX's bs prices of $40-50/month for ISP, and $31.99 if I want to use Qwest? No way, it has monopoly written all over it. Now if COX was charging $10-they never would-then I would understand, and it would be well worth it, but they AREN'T. Its the same old bully tactics back from 1900s. You might as well call COX US Steel, and Qwest could be Standard Oil Co. COX and Qwest could do this as long as they want until new anti-trust laws come out.
Make whatever money you can COX, and you too Qwest. Its not gonna work for too long though. | |
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needforspeed59
Cruise Ship Just Passing Through
join:2001-05-02
Glendale, AZ
| Because the builder doesn't have a back office to support customer care, billing and technical issues. The builder would probably just farm it out as they are essentially doing with the telcos and cablecos.
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Of all the people I know... you're one of them. | |
| N Yazdi
join:2004-04-19
Omaha, NE | . when i lived in a private development in fl we were told that adelphia was the provider..blah blah blah, not fair but if you dont like it, dont live there | |
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babwas
join:2005-04-09
Omaha, NE
·Cox HSI
1 edit | handcuffed to ISP's very common This is happening to my grandmother right now. She has decided to sell her house and move into a retirement community, where Cox is the provider (for phone, internet, and cable). She is being told that if she wants phone service she is required to subscribe to Cox cable. It only amounts to an extra $15 per month, but she is 82 and has no use for cable. I find it irritating that the community and Cox would make this kind of arrangement. | |
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The Beer
I Love It When A Plan Comes Together
Premium
join:2001-07-24
Omaha, NE
clubs:
 ·ViaTalk
| Re: handcuffed to ISP's very common I think the trick here is she will get her phone service for less if she gets the cable for $15 more a month, I have the same problem.
I have Internet and DirecTV, so I don't want cable TV...
However if I bundle "Lifeline" cable and internet I save $10 off the $15 price.
So my bill is really $5 more than if I just had Internet alone and I get "lifeline" cable channels 1-28. I only keep it because sometimes I do get rain fade on DirecTV.
This might be the case with your Grandma, they are offering her a bundle to discount the cable.
Cox and Qwest are too tied down by the PUC in Nebraska to pull that stunt thats going on in Phoenix. | |
| 
Roundboy
Premium
join:2000-10-04
Drexel Hill, PA | Argument for public hotspots .. everyone is paying for a connection anyway... everyone should pop up w/ wireless hotspots and share it around.
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if($power)
{$corrupt;}
elseif( abs($power) )
{ abs($corrupt); } | |
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CPUYODA
join:2003-01-25
Johnson City, TN
| Re: Argument for public hotspots HOAs all suck IMHO,mainly because whatever good you get out of them,usually bites you in the end.......
I,for one,am super glad Ive got an acre lot,6 other neighbors,and woods.
HOA types are just rich,greedy,snobby(Hey,I have a new Lawn Mower)types worried about rough elements moving near them(like anyone could spot them BEFORE they move in).
If these dorks can vote you off the block,then you didnt need to be there anyway is the way I look at it,and I believe you SHOULDn't be forced to sign anything like that when buying property........its so Un-American,it makes me sick.
Im sure the Indians had a HOA too........ | |
| dibbb
join:2003-09-19
·Time Warner VOIP
|  HOA's are good
In my HOA, you can't cut down a tree on your property without running it by the HOA. They are reasonable, and it's no big deal, keeps everything looking good.
In some "not as nice" neighborhoods they simply have "neighborhood convanents" which basically say what you can and can't do, but don't charge.
For example, you can't paint your house bright purple, or something stupid like that.
Anyway, if a HOA has cable/DSL, I say "cool". | |
| | paisp
join:2004-02-16
Newtown, PA
| Re: HOA's are good Really? So you're happy with your HOA making your decisions for you?
Maybe you'd like it if they can chose your auto insurance too? How about which grocery store you shop in? Is this all "cool" to you? Is the same concept.
If the HOA choses your provider for you... its not "cool". Because if you go blind, for example... you're still paying for TV service you can't use. If free wireless Internet comes to your neighborhood some day... well, you can use it but you're still paying someone else for it no matter what.
What in the world is so "cool" about all this? Maybe you just don't understand possibly. There is NO good to come out of it. Its silly, and in my opinion will not last very long.
If the home-owners in these HOA's allow this, they truely are stupid and are just willing to let anything happen to them. May as well raise the taxes too because these roll-overs are so whimpy. | |
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GlobalMind
Domino Dude, POWER Systems Guy
Premium
join:2001-10-29
Hollywood, FL
| Re: HOA's are good This is funny. I have to ask, do you live in a community with an HOA?
You basically learn to live with it, and if the residents are on the board, as they are with ours it isn't as much of a problem. This isn't some outside entity running things. We have elections yearly to determine the board members.
Are there annoyances? Sure - getting a notice to clean my roof after it was just done 6 mos prior for example (that one really ticked me off) - and yes my view is that I know what looks nice and I can take care of my own property. I don't need someone to tell me how to do that. They do cut our grass though...which with my schedule today that's fine by me as long as they do it right.
With the arrangement the way it is, sure it isn't perfect but that all depends on who is on the board. It really isn't a major issue most of the time.
Sorry but "if you go blind" come on, you can come up with a scenario like that for anything and frankly I think you're stretching the point a bit far. The other points about insurance or groceries...again, off the mark in my view and taking the examples to an extreme and unlikely end.
K.
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TheGlobalMind.com
Forget regret, or life is yours to miss - Rent | |
| | | dibbb
join:2003-09-19
·Time Warner VOIP
| quote:
What in the world is so "cool" about all this? Maybe you just don't understand possibly. There is NO good to come out of it. Its silly, and in my opinion will not last very long.
Maybe if you lived in a neighborhood with a HOA you would possibly understand.
Seriously, if you don't like HOA's, don't buy a house where there is one. | |
| | | | paisp
join:2004-02-16
Newtown, PA
| Re: HOA's are good I did live in a townhouse which had one, I live currently without one, and am moving to a home next month with one again.
Not sure why I would need to have had the experience to be able to comment on this. When your HOA is picking services for you, that is rediculas.
What if I don't have a TV or PC? What if I'm retired? Not everyone is like you, or me. I personally LOVE DirecTV. Why should I have to pay for cable? If you love cable, and are forced to pay for DirecTV... is that still "cool"?
If you want to have your choices laid out for you, move outside the US. But American is about freedom and frankly, when I'm forced to pay for something I may or may not want... that my friend, is not freedom.
That's what I call some monopolistic company stuffing enough green in someone's pocket (in this case, the HOA) to lock you in.
Listen... American is also about freedom of opinion. So, you have your's and I have mine. Have fun if you ever are forced to pay for something... I just hope for your sake its a service you wanted. | |
| 
oliphant
I Have 8 Boobies
Premium
join:2004-11-26
Corona, CA
| They do that here in Ladera Ranch In south Orange County, CA Cox has one of these deals and it runs the HOA dues up from a typical $80-$90 for similar ungated communities to about $140. So for the homeowners its certainly no deal. It's take it or take it as you obviously can't skip on HOA dues.
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Don't get it, demand it! The Anime Network www.theanimenetwork.com | |
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jkreuzig
Whatever
join:2001-07-11
Yorba Linda, CA
| Re: They do that here in Ladera Ranch Ladera Ranch does have a Cox deal, but to say that the HOA dues are at a certain "level" because of that is not correct. Having been the president of and HOA in North Orange County, our dues were higher than most COMPARABLE HOA's. We had no deal for Cable TV or HSI. We had other problems, so our rates were higher.
Ladera Ranch is still fairly new, and the HOA dues that people pay down there are not out of line with similar ungated communities. We looked at Ladera Ranch when we were moving 4 years ago, and my impression was that the HOA dues and HSI contract that Cox had with the community actually provided a fair level of service for a cheaper price than you could have gotten elsewhere. Now that doesn't mean that you should be forced into using Cox. I still think that you should be able to choose your own provider and not have to pay the additional fees to Cox. | |
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oliphant
I Have 8 Boobies
Premium
join:2004-11-26
Corona, CA | Re: They do that here in Ladera Ranch I'm simply comparing the HOA dues at Ladera to similar communities in South OC of similar age with similar number of units and by any measure, they are high.
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Don't get it, demand it! The Anime Network www.theanimenetwork.com | |
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New Homeowners Handcuffed to ISPs
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