SEVERAL families are stuck in a bitter battle with their homeowners association after a pipe burst and flooded multiple condos.
Residents were forced out of their homes after the damage made their spaces unlivable and slapped them with bills costing thousands of dollars.
Three condominium residents were surprised to learn that they would be responsible for covering the costs associated with a burst pipe in a shared area near the building that resulted in extensive water damage.
According to NBC affiliate KSNV, one of the residents, Janet Rabb, mentioned that maintenance personnel visited their units and incurred additional expenses for gas and electricity while working to address the water damage.
“They came in, cut everything, ran up our gas and electric bills with blowers, dried out to make sure there was no mold,” Rabb said.
“As we are sitting, they’re trying to say they’re not responsible.
“Everything is coming up to $56,000.”
The homeowner’s association’s insurance declined to pay for the damages citing a technicality – since the pipe was located in a common outdoor space, it wasn’t considered part of their property and therefore not covered by their policy.
“I didn’t know I had to pay $7,000 for them to pack me up,” resident Mary Crocco told KSNV.
“I thought from the very second, oh, it was an outside pipe, so the HOA is going to cover this. I never thought twice.”
Two of the residents had to fully leave their homes at Avila Park in Las Vegas due to the damage.
Chunks of the walls have been cut out due to the flooding, video from the damaged condos showed.
Plus, residents were forced to box their belongings up when the staffers came to work on the water damage.
Now, the homeowners say their HOA is ignoring their calls as they’re stuck with the bills.
“There’s no communication,” Rabb said.
“I’ve tried to call, I’ve reached out to our VP, who has denied anything to push through for work to get done.
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.
“He is not accommodating in any way.”
The homeowners said they’ve paid their HOA fees for years, only to be left with no answers.
“I’ve been here 10 years, and there have been a lot of issues and things,” resident Linda McCoy told KSNV.
“You buy a unit, you pay HOA fees consistently, you pay property taxes, you pay insurance on your home, and at the end, what’s going on?” Rabb said.
“We’re not even worth a conversation?”
Avila Park HOA hasn’t returned The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
