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Neighbor's hideous yard

Neighbor's hideous yard

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by: angeldog Active Indicator LED Icon  OP  New Member
~ 9 years ago   Mar 13, '15 9:07am  
I don't post here much but I'm looking for some good suggestions as to what to do about our neighbor's hideous yard.  Our HOA (Kings Forest) sends letters, and even threatened them with calling the City of Houston for violations regarding health hazards last year.  Sometimes it helps but then they go back to their lazy ways.  I've lived in my house for 15 years.  These neighbors bought in front of us about 10 years ago.  They said they always wanted to live in Kingwood, coming from Pasadena, because the neighborhoods and schools were so great. However, since day one they have done absolutely nothing to keep their property up to standards. Now, 10 years later, it is falling apart.  Just to name a few:  Grass gets mowed about 4 times a year! Right now we have 16" high weeds all over; sometimes they'll mow or rake leaves and leave the piles there for 3-4 months.  There are leaf bags full in the front yard that have not been put on the curb for 3 weeks now. Their driveway has caved in completely in certain areas; rotten and molded wood all over the house trim, ruts in the yard from cars going into the grass, cars parked in the grass and up to our mailbox stand, and dead trees/limbs that go untouched for years. I'm really at a loss. I've emailed them, left notes on cars, and tried to be as civil as possible. They are actually a very nice family, with 4 kids....2 who are now in college.  The mother was sick for a few months last year, but doesn't work. The dad's profession is very questionable...there are always used car tags in the driveway, and sometimes trailers full of "stuff" also parked there.  I have no idea what he does.  I think funds are scarce but these kids can push a lawn mower! Mine did while he was living at home!!!  We've spent a small fortune taking care of our home, not to mention putting over $400k in it in remodels!  Our other two neighbors directly surrounding this family, have done the same.  ANY suggestions you have will be welcomed! 4951
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WskyTngoFxtrt Active Indicator LED Icon 10
~ 9 years ago   Mar 13, '15 9:11am  
$400k in remodeling????? Why not just have a new house built away from crappy neighbors? 4951
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Francita Active Indicator LED Icon 17
~ 9 years ago   Mar 13, '15 9:13am  
Sounds like an HOA issue but they don't do jack **** except send out letters. Your real issue is with them not enforcing the rules. 4951
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Macitagirl Active Indicator LED Icon
~ 9 years ago   Mar 13, '15 9:15am  
I agree with Francita.  The HOA should really be doing more about this issue.  Sad, because a neighborhood is only as good as its HOA.   4951
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Francita Active Indicator LED Icon 17
~ 9 years ago   Mar 13, '15 9:15am  
$400k in remodeling????? Why not just have a new house built away from crappy neighbors?
 
@WskyTngoFxtrt:
 
I think that might be a typo with an extra zero. 4951
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Ray Active Indicator LED Icon 17
~ 9 years ago   Mar 13, '15 9:17am  
Start sneaking over at night n dump your trash at the front door 4951
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donnatella Active Indicator LED Icon 13 Forum Moderator
~ 9 years ago   Mar 13, '15 9:18am  
Sounds like time to move. $400k will get you much better neighbors and all new everything. 4951
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angeldog Active Indicator LED Icon  OP  New Member
~ 9 years ago   Mar 13, '15 9:19am  
Whiskytango...not that it has anything to do with my question, and absolutely no help whatsoever, but if you must know, our neighborhood values are pretty good and we bought our house very low.  After living with 1980s style for about 13 years, we decided to bring it up to standards.  And no, it was not a typo....I meant $400k.  We will definitely get our money back out of this house. I'm just frustrated at what I have to pass every time I come and go from my house. I don't think moving out of the neighborhood is the right answer. 4951
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Francita Active Indicator LED Icon 17
~ 9 years ago   Mar 13, '15 9:23am  
Whiskytango...not that it has anything to do with my question, and absolutely no help whatsoever, but if you must know, our neighborhood values are pretty good and we bought our house very low. �After living with 1980s style for about 13 years, we decided to bring it up to standards. �And no, it was not a type....I meant $400k. �We will definitely get our money back out of this house. I'm just frustrated at what I have to pass every time I come and go from my house. I don't think moving out of the neighborhood is the right answer.
 
@angeldog:
 
If your home values are that high the HOA needs to step up to the plate. Send them a certified letter demanding action that outlines in detail how they have not enforced the rules.. Hell they send letters all the time. Its about time they get one.
 
Oh and have all your neighbors sign it. More weight with numbers. 4951
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angeldog Active Indicator LED Icon  OP  New Member
~ 9 years ago   Mar 13, '15 9:24am  
In case anyone is in this same situation, I just found out by calling the City of Houston that you can call "311" and report them to the Dept. of Neighborhoods.  They will send out an inspector who will investigate the home and either give them a warning or write them a citation.  The Dept. gives you a claim number so that you can follow up with them. 4951
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Francita Active Indicator LED Icon 17
~ 9 years ago   Mar 13, '15 9:25am  
In case anyone is in this same situation, I just found out by calling the City of Houston that you can call "311" and report them to the Dept. of Neighborhoods.  They will send out an inspector who will investigate the home and either give them a warning or write them a citation.  The Dept. gives you a claim number so that you can follow up with them.
 
@angeldog:
 
Good to know. 4951
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ET Active Indicator LED Icon 17
~ 9 years ago   Mar 13, '15 9:25am  
Without incurring all sorts of legal costs, there is little the HOA can do beyond sending letters.  They could take over the mowing and upkeep I guess, but you all would have to pay for that and hope you can pull it back out of the sale whenever that happens.  4951
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GoldenGirl Active Indicator LED Icon 15
~ 9 years ago   Mar 13, '15 9:25am  
you know 400k is 400,000.00 right?  I can not believe in a neighborhod of that calibur you would be dealing with a neighbor like this..    Which managment company does you neighborhood use?  KSA??If this has been going on for a long time it is likely legal action has been taken by the HOA and you ar not aware of it..   Could have placed a lien as well.... 4951
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CBP210 Active Indicator LED Icon 10
~ 9 years ago   Mar 13, '15 9:28am  
This sounds like the Hoa is passing the buck. I would start a calling spree and force them to do something and also take pictures and take it to the next meeting. 4951
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angeldog Active Indicator LED Icon  OP  New Member
~ 9 years ago   Mar 13, '15 9:32am  
Golden Girl, Francita and ET...thanks for your responses.  I know that our HOA has sent them countless letters, knocked on the door, tried everything. They've even said they would have the yard mowed and take out a lien on the property. I believe these neighbors are in arrears for several years on their homeowners' fees, so there is definitely a lien on the property for that. At one point they put it on the market and someone offered them a great price, to which they turned it down. We all wanted to DIE!  About our remodel....that $400,000 includes putting in a wonderful backyard pool and cabana, replacing all 4 heating and AC units, remodeling the main areas...kitchen, three baths, and many more rooms in this house. We also put in a new driveway shortly after buying it and have completely overhauled a lot of the landscaping. These are older homes with one acre lots, so the upkeep is tough.  I am in communication with our HOA, but after reading some of your suggestions, I'm going to ask if more can be done. Thank you! 4951
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thegoodwife Active Indicator LED Icon 10
~ 9 years ago   Mar 13, '15 9:50am  
In case anyone is in this same situation, I just found out by calling the City of Houston that you can call "311" and report them to the Dept. of Neighborhoods.  They will send out an inspector who will investigate the home and either give them a warning or write them a citation.  The Dept. gives you a claim number so that you can follow up with them.
@angeldog: And if the homeowner does nothing after being warned, the COH will take it into their own hands and bring the property up to code. Let me tell you the City is the most costly landscaper around. Liens for cutting  grass  starts at about $500.00, then throw in tall weeds - it can get hefty.
  4951
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