I need information and clarification.
 

We arrived Friday night and met our new neighbors, nice folks, retired from New York, two doggies.

However. Their front yard is full of potted plants, big urns on either side of their driveway with artificial flowers in them (strong colors), artificial flowers stuck in the ground. many Halloween decorations, but that is for a finite time.The back yard, we abutt Odell Rec Center, and have a lovely stone wall belonging to Odell that defines the space. She has many animals and birds on top that wall, four bird feeders on the wall too, and has hot glued plastic flowers to the wall. Also wind chimes in Odells bushes. It isn't pretty, and I don't want to start an ugly situation. I/we have never had problems with neighbors in our whole life. I know I shouldn't be petty, but it literally makes my stomach hurt.

She told me they had received notice, but said. "What can they do to us" and shrugged.

They will keep coming back to check on that I'm sure of it, they made me take down a small trellis on the front of my house (24" wide) and told me I could put it on the side of the house (as long as it wasn't facing the street). I have been told by many people that the Village Watch doesn't enforce unless a neighbor calls and complains. If your neighbor continues breaking the covenants it'll open many others to also do the same. Just take a look at what happened to the older sections here and you can understand why TV enforces the rules against all the ugly stuff that some people put in their yards.

Awwww, Gracie... complain and do it now to the neighborhood enforcers. Mr. Peachie and I had neighbors like that once and I hate to tell you this, but in the end we sold and moved. The indiocyncrasies of many of those decoraters seldom stop in yard. We're sorry to hear your Villages homecoming was "trashed" and encourage you to call the authorities patrolling TV ASAP and often, if necessary!

Graciegirl,

Hello. The advice posted by both tucson and Peachie is excellent and should be seriously considered. If your neighbor, who agreed to the CC&Rs when he/she moved into TV, have violated rules which you adhere to ... well, you have a choice to ignore it or have it enforced. Everyone wants to be a good neighbor and your neighbor should be one, too. When Peachie says that on one occasion she and Mr. Peachie sold and moved because of a similar circumstance, you have to decide now if it bothers you enough will you want to incur those headaches and those expenses as you get older.

On a sidenote, have you seen Jo since your arrival? I could be wrong but I seem to recall that she is in your neighborhood, though not the person we discussing here.

Good Luck.

GG, Mr. Peachie and I were having a discussion about your dilemma and were wondering if you and Sweetie had thought about hosting "clothing optional" parties in your backyard? :22yikes:

Good one, Peachie. But, GG had better make sure FIRST that her neighbor isn't into that, too. Good one by you. :laugh:

Careful....they might be the type of neighbors that would come join in....and want to help decorate for the occassion!!

Please Call.
 

awww GG, I just read this. That's awful. I would call right away also. A friends of mine's Mom was like that and believe me, there was never enough. She just kept adding to the junk. Do yourself and your neighborhood a favor and call. That's really bad. :yuck:

GG,

Although we have never really met, and it is not exactly like I really know you, for some reason this thing is really :cus: me off!!!!!

When I read your post, my first thought was, "GG, are you sure that you did not play a practical joke on your neighbors the last time you were here, and now they knew you were arriving so they are getting back at you?"

But then I realized that this is serious.

And this is wrong. They knew the drill coming in just like everybody else who signs on the line.

But let's think about this a minute......

While this is most certainly a problem for you (which I am incensed about, btw), this is an even bigger problem for the developer himself.

Here's why........

Even though TV may not have been hit quite as hard by the woes of the real estate market, the sales I am sure have not been so easy as in the past. And those Boomer Bucks that so many have planned on taking to the bank are not so easy to come by as was once thought. The developer knows all this.

When potential buyers cruise TV, one of the things that stands out the most is how beautifully the properties are kept. That is a huge selling point. Thus, the restrictions.

Therefore, the developer surely figured out long ago how to not let this kind of bizarre protest take hold.

GG, this is not only about the eyesores that some consider beautiful, this is about money and profit. The developer wants to sell houses. Surely, something can and will be done. Your neighbors may fancy themselves a test case. But something tells me that this kind of thing has been tested before. The developer is not likely to tolerate anything that will interfere with sales.

Let me know if you want me to pull up in the Boomermobile that has the Bose speakers and blast my Rolling Stones CD with "Hey! You! Get Off My Cloud!" in front of their house at certain times of the day or night. (Remember Noriega?)

Wow, GG! This is sure making me grouchy this morning.

I wish you the best. I think the developer will get it covered. Lots of people are watching.

(Oh and I was just kidding about those Noriega tactics. Sometimes my brain does work that way though when I hear about something that is NOT FAIR!!!) These people knew coming in.

I am going to go see "Hairspray" at the theater this afternoon. That will make me smile while I remember all that work I did teasing my hair for all those many hours of my teenage years.

Good luck, GG.

I am watching.

Boomer

First, welcome back!

I know it is hard to complain and you're always afraid it will backfire but it sounds like you're absolutely miserable. Hon, bite the bullet and complain. They are breaking the covenants they agreed to. Let CCWD handle it -- that's their job -- and it certainly beats you having to talk to her about her decor or coming home and seeing that mess. BTW -- When you do call be sure and mention the back. Community Watch only sees the front.

Boomer ... right on the money with your advice.

Gg, I agree with Chels. If it makes your stomach hurt, you gotta call. :ohdear:

I know you're a nice person and you don't want to make "bad neighbours".
But they are blatantly defying the covenants, which are in place to preserve our property values.

OMG, GG - Just reading your post has given me a headache. :ohdear:

Surely there are other neighbors who feel the same way. Perhaps several of you could schedule a meeting with the powers that be, rather than phone in a complaint.
Keep us posted..................I am so sorry - what a :cus: bummer...

I would imagine others in the neighborhood have already called if they have already received two letters! This person obviously does not care about the covenants that they signed.

She poised a good question though....what can they do to her? Does anyone know? Honestly GG....they can call her and send her letters and knock on her door....BUT what is the end result if she doesn't remove it?

I really am being sincere here....please take it that way. Even in the community outside of TV's where we are...there are strict rules...and if someone continuously breaks them....amentity rights are taken away.

I would think Tal or zcaveman or 07 might know this answer.

Red has a point too....make sure you point out the back....she is "decorating" TV's property....

Oh yuk~!! I hate fake flowers outside!!barf

One thought is.....if the complaining doesn't work....get a group of your friends together for dinner on a night when you know they are not home....and have a clean up the neighborhood party....;)

I believe that the HOA can levy a monetary fine against the homeowner and, if not paid, a lien can be placed against the home. The home cannot be sold until the fine is paid and the lien satified. Of course, there could be different rules in TV than elsewhere, but I bet it's the same.

Revoke some privileges?
 

Darn, GG, I was so hoping everything would be perfect for you upon arriving at TV. :sad:

How awful for you and all the surrounding neighbors. Some people regardless of walk or level of live have no taste or class.

When I lived in CT, the HOA imposed a fine of $75, if after the first 3 warnings, nothing was done to recify the issue. Another $75 fine would be imposed the next month, and so on. The fines would appear on their monthly maintenance fee statement.

Per my current HOA by laws, fines cannot be invoked, however, the property management company can and do disable their pool pass if any of the covenances are ignored after warnings have been issued.

There just has to be something the management can do. If there isn't, this issue should be brought up at your next HOA meeting.

A couple Pink Plastic Flamingos in the front lawn don't seem so bad in comparison.




.

I like the fact that GG's made a point that the neighbors are from New York. :22yikes:

You have to call and report the neighbor , for yourself and your neighborhood....I have a neighbor who decorates his house at Christmas and it is awful... I shutter to think what that yard would look like if he was allowed to "decorate" all year around. That is the point of the covenants...call,call,call.

???

And you like that why?

I truly was sincere in that statement. They are nice. They are from New York. I mean, they could have been from Idaho. Or Texas. Or Ohio. I usually kid around, but I wasn't trying to be funny or sarcastic.

One of the blessings of living in the Villages are the covenants. If you drive over to the historical side you will see some houses that are "over decorated". This is one of the reasons that the developer put in place rules about how we can decorate our front yards and actually, in all but CYV, all our property.

You would be doing your neighborhood a favor if you called the Compliance office. They drive by here in Tall Trees, Cherry Vale Villas, at least a few times a month and routinely tell people to get rid of the lawn ornaments which are not in compliance.

While I love wind chimes, I wouldn't overdo it. I have two in my back yard just outside the lanai.

Do yourself and your potential ulcer a favor. Call compliance. They are supposed to keep it confidential when a neighbor complains.

Hope this works out well for all. Maybe she just has too much time on her hands and finds the dollar store to her liking!!! Anyway, it is one of the good rules around here and one with which I totally agree.

No jockey on my front lawn!!!!

GG...
Even though I don't want to be, I'm more of a hawk than a dove and I get in a lot of trouble taking up "causes", but I'd lay off this one if I were you. It looks like other neighbors have complained already and some action has been taken. If the Village committee that takes care of such things ignores the situation, then maybe I'd complain. Wait and see what happens before you get involved. You have to live in this neighborhood for a very long time and maybe they will live here too, so it would be much better to not have a hostile neighbor. At least in our neighborhood, the accused has a right to know who his/her accusers are and that hasn't made for pleasant relationships around here and even some retaliation. One couple actually moved a couple of blocks away just to get rid of the hostile neighbor. Some things just aren't worth it. You don't know how crazy these people are.
I know how excited you are to be in TV and I'm sorry you have this neighbor. I hope they aren't right next door, but if they are, that's even more reason to not be among the people on their "hit list". You're much too nice.

fizzbyn GG...
Even though I don't want to be, I'm more of a hawk than a dove and I get in a lot of trouble taking up "causes", but I'd lay off this one if I were you. It looks like other neighbors have complained already and some action has been taken. If the Village committee that takes care of such things ignores the situation, then maybe I'd complain. Wait and see what happens before you get involved. You have to live in this neighborhood for a very long time and maybe they will live here too, so it would be much better to not have a hostile neighbor. At least in our neighborhood, the accused has a right to know who his/her accusers are and that hasn't made for pleasant relationships around here and even some retaliation. One couple actually moved a couple of blocks away just to get rid of the hostile neighbor. Some things just aren't worth it. You don't know how crazy these people are.
I know how excited you are to be in TV and I'm sorry you have this neighbor. I hope they aren't right next door, but if they are, that's even more reason to not be among the people on their "hit list". You're much too nice.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fizzbyn, I'm confused... why would the offender need to know the individuals' name that pointed out the violations of TV restrictions? If they were accusing the neighbor of gossip or drug trafficking, maybe, but it is the duty of TV's to implement the rules established and to which we all agreed to abide when we purchase in TV's. Inspection of the offending property can be done by TV without involving any names. I would find it difficult to live anywhere if intimidation kept me from enjoying my home to the fullest.

The fact she's received two notices doesn't mean there have been any complaints. Community Watch will notice things like urns, etc. in the front and report it to the District who will send a letter. So, it may be that no one has reported these neighbors at all and Community Watch isn't going to check the back unless someone complains.

Have no fear - Sadies here - almost Nothing is sacred, as many of you have heard, with her around. For a fee I'll rent her out. Fresh brownies or a bag of peanut butter M & M's. Call Sadie @ 1-800-GONE.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...-8-2008002.jpg

Ughh, Sadie! What is that awful white stuff on your muzzle and under your beautiful paws? :yuck:

Agreed to .....?
 

I am neither pro or con on this issue. But I did want to put my two cents in here. When we moved here, we were given a raft of papers to fill out and sign. I filled some of them out but not others as I did no "AGREE" with them. The exact words I was told upon returning these papers was, "Either you "agree" to these covenants or you can't live here". I did not agree with them then and I do not agree with them now. Yes, I did sign them but I really don't care about trellis', frogs or any other thing someone might like unless it endangers.
I have had many "discussions" with some of my so called neighbors and no, I do not not put chochkies in my front yard, but if I could I'd have a lot of them. I had them everywhere I ever lived and not once did they hurt anyone nor did the world stop.
But it was a feedom I had to give up or "agree to" if I wanted to live here
in Florida's "Friendliest home town".

Hey I learned a new word - chotchkies!

I don't have too much of an opinion on this since I don't live there yet but it seems to me that rules are rules. It is that simple.

If TV turns into chotchkies city do you really think it would maintain its value? Maybe some don't care about the value of their investment but most people do. You should never sign something that you don't agree with and if you do sign then you should honor your promise. I understand that you do but obviously others don't.

I hope GG keeps us informed of the eventual outcomes.

Hadley (?) covenants
 

Check the Village of Hadley (?) covenants and such GG. They should spell out what happens after violations of the covenants. I would think that a fine would be mentioned in them somewhere for violations with respect to front lawn decorations.


I do not think you need to do anything about this as the fines will probably start coming at some point and in this economy unless you have a neighbor with deep pockets and or a very stubborn disposition, the lawn will start looking more presentable.

I wonder how close a "neighbor" has to be for the Village Watch to do something about eye sores?

This might be of interest--

FL. Stat. 720.305

"(2) If the governing documents so provide, an association may suspend, for a reasonable period of time, the rights of a member or a member's tenants, guests, or invitees, or both, to use common areas and facilities and may levy reasonable fines, not to exceed $100 per violation, against any member or any tenant, guest, or invitee. A fine may be levied on the basis of each day of a continuing violation, with a single notice and opportunity for hearing, except that no such fine shall exceed $1,000 in the aggregate unless otherwise provided in the governing documents. A fine shall not become a lien against a parcel. In any action to recover a fine, the prevailing party is entitled to collect its reasonable attorney's fees and costs from the nonprevailing party as determined by the court. "

I can tell you guys never lived in NY!!!
 

SAB and Russ....... if you're gonna use the Jewish term for ornaments and bric-a-brac, you should spell it right....

Seems like this word has another meaning much to Handy's delight.
 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tchotchke

I would not mind some of the other tchotchke's in TV. Of course, this is in the eye of the beholder. To a 75 year old, a 57 year old could be a "pretty young thing."

Tal, you are a wealth of information, lol. Thank you for the clarification and now the ladies will know we are not being referred to as brick-a-brac if called a Tchotchke. :pepper2:

..... yeah, and I can think of some other things to call ya! :1rotfl:

. . . . . . . . . . .

Kath, you are hot! :pepper2:

You guys are cracking me up to the max!!! I LOVE IT!!! :1rotfl:

I like the idea of complaining anonymously if that is really true. Still, GG, I would wait and see what happens next. We live in a golf course senior community now and I know that people find out who files a complaint against them.
So if anyone can complain anonymously, everyone should file a complaint. GG said her house backs to the Odell rec center. The offending house shouldn't be too hard to spot. I'd like to see the fake flowers glued to the back wall. I know if I were in TV, I'd certainly drive by.

Gracie,
Sorry I missed you. Linda and I were there from the 1st to the 24th. Now were back home. Met a lot of nice folks on here. Maaybe we'll meet next time.
Anyhow,
I found this in the deed restrictions in the "Nuts and Bolts" section below. As I see it the owners don't have to do anything. Might be up to the neighbors. Good luck with it. I know I would be upset.

5. ENFORCEMENT: All Owners shall have the right and duty to prosecute in proceedings at law or in equity against any person or persons violating or attempting to violate any covenants, conditions or reservations, either to prevent him or them from so doing, or to recover damages or any property charges for such violation. The cost of such proceedings, including a reasonable attorney's fee, shall be paid by the party losing said suit. In addition, the Developer shall also have the right but not the duty to enforce any such covenants, conditions or reservations as though Developer were the Owner of the Homesite, including the right to recover reasonable attorneys fees and costs. Developer may assign its right to enforce these covenants, conditions or reservations and to recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs to a person, committee, or governmental entity.