What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?SC
We do have a lunatic in our neighborhood and, though I am reluctant to admit it, tis I.
Four years ago a townhome, one of five where I reside, came up for sale. I stupidly told my sister about it and she purchased it for a low price, no real estate involved. She got a wonderful deal and I thought she'd be happy and so would I having a family member so close. Big mistake!
She's been nothing but trouble since she purchased and has upset the peaceful enjoyment of our once close knit and friendly enclave.
We have small lawns and common areas one of which is a driveway with an easement for all the other homes. When my sister purchased she knew we paid $125.00 a year, not a month, a year, for a lawn man to maintain the lawns, blow out the driveways and clean up after storms. For this we pay $35.00 a visit, a measly $7.00 a home every two weeks.
The problem is that my sister who owns an inside unit doesn't think she should pay $125.00 while the 2 end units are paying the same. They have, she argues, more property and should pay more. Actually, she feels as if she should be permitted to do her own lawn and pay nothing, forget the common areas, not her problem.
My problem is this: My sister and 2 others are not residents but these are vacation homes for them. I take care of the lawn money as, at one time, I was the only full time resident and I 'inherited' the job. The price hasn't been raised in ten years, the man does an excellent job and there was never a problem until she arrived.
I explained to her that house #1, with perhaps 20 more feet of property, maintains the well by paying the electric for our irrigation system. Property #5, with about 20 more feet of property has given us an easement of the driveway for our use. These homes have been here for 25 years and nothing has changed for 25 years. We have all agreed upon everything and never had problems. The cost is borne equally as they have given up something for the good of all.
We do not have a homeowner's association, per se, but do have restrictions that are incorporated into the deed. They state:
In order to arrange for an orderly and agreeable manner of said parking areas , it is declared that any and all maintenance and repair to the parking areas shall be done by the owners of all five parcels with the cost being divided equally between said owners. The owners of any four of the five parcels may determine the necessity and extent of any maintenance or repair work to be done and the cost shall be borne one-fifth by the owner or owners of each parcel.
My sister refuses to pay what she says is a ridiculous charge and that we are attempting to 'bully her'. She doesn't live here, can't maintain her own property and we are proud of the way we keep the areas looking clean and pristine.
The neighbors want to hang me out to dry for bringing her here, I am totally embarrassed by her behavior and, as an aside, she is loaded, has the money, just doesn't like rules imposed upon her.
It is my contention that she purchased this property with full knowledge of the rules and has paid the lawn man (though not without a fight) for three years now. I would like to pay her share just to shut her up but my husband threatens divorce if I take that route. Actually, I exaggerate, but he wouldn't be too happy about it.
Am I correct in assuming that maintenance also includes cleaning the area of debris and leaves? This trip he filled ten bags with leaves. Is this declaration of restrictions a legally binding document? She says that she spoke to an attorney and that he told her that she has a private home and has to pay nothing she doesn't want to pay. We other four owners are, and always have been, harmonious in regard to what we do with, and for, the property so as to protect the value of our investments.
Any help you can give me will be most appreciated. I know this may sound like a ridiculous problem, and I agree, but I am now hiding in my home as she just pulled up (flew in from NJ) and I don't want to start the new 'merry go round' of what's fair and what's not. I feel as if we are 5 again and the sibling rivalry is killing me!
Thanks, in advance. Seacluded
We do have a lunatic in our neighborhood and, though I am reluctant to admit it, tis I.Four years ago a townhome, one of five where I reside, came up for sale. I stupidly told my sister about it and she purchased it for a low price, no real estate involved. She got a wonderful deal and I thought she'd be happy and so would I having a family member so close. Big mistake!
She's been nothing but trouble since she purchased and has upset the peaceful enjoyment of our once close knit and friendly enclave.
We have small lawns and common areas one of which is a driveway with an easement for all the other homes. When my sister purchased she knew we paid $125.00 a year, not a month, a year, for a lawn man to maintain the lawns, blow out the driveways and clean up after storms. For this we pay $35.00 a visit, a measly $7.00 a home every two weeks.
The problem is that my sister who owns an inside unit doesn't think she should pay $125.00 while the 2 end units are paying the same. They have, she argues, more property and should pay more. Actually, she feels as if she should be permitted to do her own lawn and pay nothing, forget the common areas, not her problem.
My problem is this: My sister and 2 others are not residents but these are vacation homes for them. I take care of the lawn money as, at one time, I was the only full time resident and I 'inherited' the job. The price hasn't been raised in ten years, the man does an excellent job and there was never a problem until she arrived.
I explained to her that house #1, with perhaps 20 more feet of property, maintains the well by paying the electric for our irrigation system. Property #5, with about 20 more feet of property has given us an easement of the driveway for our use. These homes have been here for 25 years and nothing has changed for 25 years. We have all agreed upon everything and never had problems. The cost is borne equally as they have given up something for the good of all.
We do not have a homeowner's association, per se, but do have restrictions that are incorporated into the deed. They state:
In order to arrange for an orderly and agreeable manner of said parking areas , it is declared that any and all maintenance and repair to the parking areas shall be done by the owners of all five parcels with the cost being divided equally between said owners. The owners of any four of the five parcels may determine the necessity and extent of any maintenance or repair work to be done and the cost shall be borne one-fifth by the owner or owners of each parcel.
My sister refuses to pay what she says is a ridiculous charge and that we are attempting to 'bully her'. She doesn't live here, can't maintain her own property and we are proud of the way we keep the areas looking clean and pristine.
The neighbors want to hang me out to dry for bringing her here, I am totally embarrassed by her behavior and, as an aside, she is loaded, has the money, just doesn't like rules imposed upon her.
It is my contention that she purchased this property with full knowledge of the rules and has paid the lawn man (though not without a fight) for three years now. I would like to pay her share just to shut her up but my husband threatens divorce if I take that route. Actually, I exaggerate, but he wouldn't be too happy about it.
Am I correct in assuming that maintenance also includes cleaning the area of debris and leaves? This trip he filled ten bags with leaves. Is this declaration of restrictions a legally binding document? She says that she spoke to an attorney and that he told her that she has a private home and has to pay nothing she doesn't want to pay. We other four owners are, and always have been, harmonious in regard to what we do with, and for, the property so as to protect the value of our investments.
Any help you can give me will be most appreciated. I know this may sound like a ridiculous problem, and I agree, but I am now hiding in my home as she just pulled up (flew in from NJ) and I don't want to start the new 'merry go round' of what's fair and what's not. I feel as if we are 5 again and the sibling rivalry is killing me!
Thanks, in advance. Seacluded