N.F. from New Hanover County, North Carolina writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
Our neighborhood has drives with 6 units on each drive. Our drive has a 2-car turnaround/overflow at the end that is right in front of our home and the unit across from us. Our HOA wants to put a permanent dumpster in that spot. It’s 25’ from and right in front of our picture window. All to save a few bucks on trash pick-up. Can they do this?
Mister Condo replies:
N.F., you have certainly painted an ugly picture of what your view will be from your front window once this plan comes to fruition. In an HOA, the land not owned by the homeowners is owned in common by the associations. The Board of the association makes the decision on how that land is used. Typically, it is left the way it was when you made your purchase but there are times when land can be repurposed. Adding a community dumpster is a valid use of the land, albeit an unfortunate one for you seeing as it will create any eyesore, not to mention a potentially stinky dumpster so close to your home. The only option you and your neighbors have is to petition the Board to come up with another solution. Saving money on trash pick-up is a good idea. However, decreasing curb appeal by adding dumpsters may not be such a good idea. At the end of the day, the democratically elected Board conducts the business of the association. If enough of your fellow homeowners agree that these trash dumpsters are not in the best interest of the HOA, the Board might change their mind. If they don’t, then you may be living with a trash dumpster for your new front window view. All the best!
N.F. from New Hanover County, North Carolina writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
Our neighborhood has drives with 6 units on each drive. Our drive has a 2-car turnaround/overflow at the end that is right in front of our home and the unit across from us. Our HOA wants to put a permanent dumpster in that spot. It’s 25’ from and right in front of our picture window. All to save a few bucks on trash pick-up. Can they do this?
Mister Condo replies:N.F., you have certainly painted an ugly picture of what your view will be from your front window once this plan comes to fruition. In an HOA, the land not owned by the homeowners is owned in common by the associations. The Board of the association makes the decision on how that land is used. Typically, it is left the way it was when you made your purchase but there are times when land can be repurposed. Adding a community dumpster is a valid use of the land, albeit an unfortunate one for you seeing as it will create any eyesore, not to mention a potentially stinky dumpster so close to your home. The only option you and your neighbors have is to petition the Board to come up with another solution. Saving money on trash pick-up is a good idea. However, decreasing curb appeal by adding dumpsters may not be such a good idea. At the end of the day, the democratically elected Board conducts the business of the association. If enough of your fellow homeowners agree that these trash dumpsters are not in the best interest of the HOA, the Board might change their mind. If they don’t, then you may be living with a trash dumpster for your new front window view. All the best!