Customer Reviews

Surviving Homeowner Associations

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Arlene Bandy's "Surviving Homeowner Associations" covers the full spectrum of living in a "Common Interest Development" or "Planned Unit Development" administered as a quasi-government, quasi-business entity without adequate external legal or political protection. Ms. Bandy identifies twelve "cracks" in HOA administration and builds a solid description of the problems around them. Her presentation is made with good humor, using just enough anecdotal evidence to prove her case without "piling on" and appearing bitter.

She points out that "Common Interest Developments" are growing more popular and it is becoming more difficult to avoid the influence of homeowners' associations - even if one were so inclined. Most members have no idea of what they are getting into when they join an Association. Many residents of such communities subject themselves to unanticipated rules, regulations and their costly enforcement. There is little or no state protection of their constitutional rights.

The book distinguishes among several states and their protection of residents' property rights. This illustrates that the problem is not uniform and it appears that some states are recognizing obligations to some extent while others are letting abuses run rampant.

Besides providing a well-documented description of the problem, Ms. Bandy provides an excellent list of representative sources of information. She also offers a possible solution. Unfortunately, the solution depends upon individual state's political atmosphere to be receptive. It will be an uphill battle but Ms. Bandy's book suggests a strategy.

I purchased this book as we were having problems in a homeowner instance. I really recommend you read this book before you go raising hell at your next homeowner meeting, as I did. After I read the book, I wrote to my state congress people and made recommendations to do away with this stickler of a problem under the laws of subdividing properties at the state level. It will surprise you at what little rights you have in one of these entities. My advice.....stay away from homeowner associations of any kind. It would influence my purchase of property.

Short review: If you are in a HOA, or if you are even thinking of purchasing a property within a HOA, this book is REQUIRED reading.

On the prose: I am a vivacious reader, if by chapter 1 I don't like a book it is gone, this book was a good read.

This book contains good information concerning many HOA boards' violations of homeowners civil rights and non-adherence to their Covenants and state laws. Unless you have experienced it for yourself, you probably cannot fully understand what some homeowners endure at the hands of their HOA boards. This book should serve as fair warning to anyone contemplating purchasing a home with a HOA. However, the book was written in 2005 and the information contained in the book really needs to be updated. Ms. Bandy - please update your book. I would gladly purchase an updated version.