Hey everyone! We live on a street where an HOA used to function, but it's been defunct for over a decade. The previous board members have mostly moved away or passed on, leaving just one member. Behind our home is a tiny plot that the HOA technically owns, but it's too small for any building and isn't maintained. Currently, it's overgrown with grass, trash from neighbors, and even has a Gopher Tortoise making its home there. We're concerned about the fire hazard with all the dry grass and debris during summertime. Are we allowed to clean up the area a bit? Specifically, can we mow some of it while leaving part for the tortoise? And, if it's marked as HOA property, are we technically prohibited from touching it? Any advice or suggestions for where to post this would be much appreciated!
2 Answers
Visiting the county property records is a good step. Check the ownership history to see if it’s truly still under the HOA. If it’s as you suspect, it could be considered no man's land, and you can do some cleaning. Just be prepared— neighbors can get surprisingly attached to land that isn’t theirs, and you might face some pushback. I’ve witnessed disputes over similar issues before, so brace yourself for potential confrontations!
You definitely want to check local regulations and possibly the actual property ownership. Even if the HOA is defunct, in many places they might still retain ownership of that land. It's worth looking into it at your county’s property tax site to see who officially owns the parcel. If it does still say the HOA, you might need their approval to do any cleanup. As for fire hazards, contacting your local fire department is a smart move—they can offer guidance and might take action if it's a serious risk.
Thanks for that! I'll reach out to the fire department; seems like a smart idea.
I appreciate the heads-up! Preparing myself mentally for any neighbor drama.