WWYD Poll.

[Susan]

I think I know what my answer is, but I want to ask for feedback from you all. :)


My neighbor is a man in his 50s. Bought this 4 bedroom house a year ago when it was new, moved in with his girlfriend. (Sounds funny to say girlfriend when they're in their 50s.) Anyway, they broke up around Christmas, she moved out. He initially put the house on the market saying he just couldn't afford it by himself. After maybe a month he must have figured something out because he pulled it off the market. Fast forward to about a month ago. He has a fully finished basement and ended up taking a renter. Young guy, nice enough, and really the only thing that annoys me is that this young guy has two cars, one of which he parks *almost* in front of our house. It never moves; he has it covered. He also has friends over fairly regularly and their cars also park on the street, occasionally infringing on our driveway a little. Never fully blocked.

As for Ruben, the guy who owns the house, he's nice enough too. Friendly, quiet, no complaints. (Except that he's not a young couple with young kids that can play with MY young kids. :lol: )

So... I learned recently that it is against our HOA policy to have a renter in your basement who is not a family member. Therefore Ruben is in violation.

Do I keep my mouth shut? Do I notify the HOA? What would you do?

Again... I think I know the answer but just wanted some feedback. :) Thanks.

[Stacy]

That is a tough one.

You could do a little nasty blackmail like "Move the car or else I will talk".

:locolaugh
If he doesn't seem to be causing a lot of trouble and you can get the car stuff dealt with I think I would keep quiet.

However if anything were to happen, fire whatevah, I wouldn't want that on my conscience.


Gee, I was a lot of help.

[Jayne]

I am pretty sure that it is against the law to (STORE) a car on the street. At least here it is. You can't have a car parked on the street covered up. Maybe that would be a place to start.

As for him renting..I guess while you could turn him in..you also don't know what Ruben has done to make this leagal. He may have changed his home owners insurance or what ever to allow such a thing :dunno:

[Cami]

I wouldn't tell the HOA on him but I would ask if they could move the covered car.... maybe you could say that you know the HOA might come after him for that. I would think leaving a car out like that is against rules too. But unless he starts to do more things that bother you, I probably would leave him alone that the renter. Or you could tell him that YOU don't care but you know it's against rules to have a renter and one of your neighbors might eventually complain.

[gulp!]

I wouldn't tell the HOA on him but I would ask if they could move the covered car.... maybe you could say that you know the HOA might come after him for that. I would think leaving a car out like that is against rules too. But unless he starts to do more things that bother you, I probably would leave him alone that the renter. Or you could tell him that YOU don't care but you know it's against rules to have a renter and one of your neighbors might eventually complain.

I'd do exactly as Cami has suggested. :nod:

[Susan]

Unfortunately I have learned that the car is allowed to stay there until the cows come home as long as its license and registration are current. Well, I should say that an OWNER's car is allowed to stay there. Since he's an illegal renter the car shouldn't be there since HE shouldn't be there. :lol:

[Shanna]

I was going to suggest a gentle reminder to Ruben that renters aren't allowed and that the car is infringing on your property and unless he wants to pay you for an easement to use that part of your property, someone may learn about his renter :awink: Okay, maybe not, but maybe a little "someone said something to me about your renter the other day - did you realize it was against the HOA rules to have one?"

Maybe he just needs a gentle reminder (and some subtle blackmail to move the car :lol: ) :)

[Karri]

Hypothetical situation: what if your very best friend was going through a nasty divorce and needed a place to live until she could get on her 2 feet again and your basement was the only option. You don't think twice about it... its your best friend. Oops...now the HOA is knocking on your door because your neighbor tattled on you...because a year ago, you ratted him out.

I say MYOB. He's not doing anything illegal, other than breaking a really stupid rule. Its not like he's throwing "make the mortgage" beer parties every month :lol:

[Suzi]

I had a similar situation with the neighbor's (crappy) cars being parked in front of our house (no renter though). I know first-hand how frustrating it is to have the constant reminder piece of junk car sitting in front of your house when it could be parked elsewhere so you don't have to look at it. What I did was to confront the neighbor directly. Ask them to please move the car in front of their own house so your guests are not inconvenienced having to park away from your house when they visit. Further, if the kids play in your front yard, having a car parked in front of YOUR house makes their safety an issue since they are less visible to drivers and there are more corners for them to accidentally dart out from behind. I know how frustratig this is...I feel for you!

[schwanda]

I wouldn't tell on them either but I would ask nicely if he could move the car.

Amanda

[Susan]

Its not like he's throwing "make the mortgage" beer parties every month :lol:

Now see, THAT wouldn't be in violation! And I'd only bitch if I wasn't invited. :lol:

[Melissa]

I would definitely ask them to move the car if it is bothering you, but I don't think I'd turn them in. However, there are rules regarding basement apartments and he could be in a load of trouble depending on the codes in your area. Especially if it doesn't have its own egress.