HOA Trying to Fine Me!!

[susan werhanowi]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
I am in Wisconsin and my Condo Association is trying to fine me 500 per month for having a friend stay with me to basically house sit for me as I am often out of town. It is my home, the friend does not pay rent, but stays for free in return for house sitting when I cannot be home. The HOA says that this I am renting my condo and am required to go through their rental screening process, and I did not so there for I am fined.
I am not renting my home out, No one is paying me or any of my bills, so is what they are doing Legal. Our rule book only has rules applying to renting out your condo, which I AM NOT DOING. Legal or not to fine me???

Do I have any recourse in this matter?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[CLJM]

Susan,

Why would your HOA think you have a renter ?
How often are you out of town, and how often is your friend housesitting?
Does your friend have her own place to live where her bills are sent, and can you show proof of that ?
What did your HOA say when you explained to them that your friend is a housesitter, and not a renter ?
Is there anything in your HOA documents referencing guests, visitors, or housesitters and allowed amount of time ?

 

[susan werhanowi]

In Wisconsin

There is nothing in our rules about guests or housesitters.. It is my Condo.. I pay property taxes and association fees, and the only thing in the rules is in reference to Renters.. because they want people that rent thier condos out to run applications through them.

The reason they assumed my friend was a renter is because someone broke into my condo while my friend was gone for appx. 2 hours, and came home and caught the vandal, called the security for our condo building and the security assumed that since she was living there and was not me, that she was a renter.

She does have her own residence, however it is with her son and daughter in law, so the bills are in her sons name, so we cannot show anything but her mail forwarding temporarily from the US Postal service. She is basically staying there because I am rarely home, and am trying to sell my condo myself. But with the economy the way it is, selling homes isnt big right now, and I cant afford my house to be vacant while I am gone. I work all over, so I never know where I might be working.

 

[CLJM]

Susan,

With the information you have provided, it seems to me there is no justification for your HOA to fine you for having your friend as a housesitter, or even as a full time live-in in your condo. As you say, security "assumed" she was a renter.

What did your HOA say when you explained to them that she was not a renter ? How are they trying to fine you ?

 

[HomeGuru]

It appears that the person is considered a tenant ( getting free rent in exchange) by the HOA. What is the problem with having the person register as a tenant? There is more to your one-sided story.

 

[nextwife]

It appears that the person is considered a tenant ( getting free rent in exchange) by the HOA. What is the problem with having the person register as a tenant? There is more to your one-sided story.

I wonder if they have live in boyfriends and girlfriend's not on title also register as "renters"?

 

[colourfastt]

I wonder if they have live in boyfriends and girlfriend's not on title also register as "renters"?

If the condo association's rules define them as such: yes.

 

[HomeGuru]

If the condo association's rules define them as such: yes.

**A: and that would be a good reason to charge them rent.

 

[MikeRR]

Homeguru

Is an idiot.
Condos and HOAs are little tyrannys...period.
They are pathetic single party political systems, no free press, no independant judiciary, no seperation of powers....it goes on and on.
They have no business being in business in this country.

They say OH NO, WE ARE A BUSINESS

Then they say, OH NO, GET INVOLVED VOTE....

 

[MikeRR]

Oh no

Millions of Americans are just saying NO NO NO to condos and HOAs.
Sell your sad little place and get out before you cant'

 

[divona2000]

Millions of Americans are just saying NO NO NO to condos and HOAs.
Sell your sad little place and get out before you cant'

Mike, you posted your little rants on a thread that is 9 months old....and you call other people idiots?