Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
Is This Slumlord Behavior? (An HOA is AWOL on Safety ... Again)
A house falls into disrepair over the years. What is the Quail Valley HOA doing about it? Chapter 43, "Living on Cuckoo Court"
Steven Lapham, Neighbor
- Gaithersburg, MD
Steven Sellers Lapham is a retired editor (science & social studies education), amateur musician, PTA volunteer, MoCo Weed Warrior, and 21-year resident of Quail Valley, which is just outside the boundary of the City of Gaithersburg. These blogs are my own reporting & opinions. FYI, I'm a member of the Silver Spring Justice Coalition, Voices from the Holy Land Online Film Salon, and UUs for Justice in the Middle East, as well as the Quail Valley Friendly Team.
Posting Activity
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
Nobody was Hurt or Killed This Time. (An HOA is AWOL on Safety)
An ice storm fells limbs from huge pine trees. Houses stand within inches of these HOA-owned trees. The HOA takes no action. Help? Please?
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
Dear Montgomery County: Please inspect HOA-owned trees on request
If a tree threatens a nearby house, could a homeowner get a little (expert) help compelling an HOA to ensure public safety? (Chapter 42)
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
Leaf Blower Madness
Noise pollution, CO2 into the air; hearing loss; gasoline fumes; clouds of dust; wildlife disruption. What's not to like? (Chapter 41)
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
A Family Flees Quail Valley "to Escape the HOA Game of Gotcha”
The story began when a resident contacted the HOA for clarification or assistance, only to be given incorrect or unhelpful info. (Ch. 40)
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
HOA Negligence? Self-Reliant Residents Fix a Tripping Hazard
If residents report a safety hazard, then create a service request; examine the scene; and make a repair. (Ch. 39) See the How-To video.
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
HOA Negligent? Do-It-Yourself Parents Remove a Playground Hazard
Property management isn't just about buying new stuff. If there's a safety hazard, then minimize or remove it. Immediately. (Chapter 38)
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
Survey ALL of the HOA-Owned Trees. It's the Right Thing To Do.
The HOA can save money (and perhaps lives) in the long run (and maybe in the short run too) with an LTE's arboricultural survey. (Ch. 37)
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
Does this HOA Provide Busywork for Lawyers?
Are lawsuits used for only the most egregious problems? Or does the HOA follow a bully’s playbook? Three examples. (Chapter 36)
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
A Consistent Negligence on HOA-Owned Trees. Will that Change?
For years, residents of Quail Valley have been petitioning their HOA to do its job. Ch. 35, "Living on Cuckoo Court"
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
Let's Do This Work: Correcting a Legacy of Dangerous Trees
Decades ago, we planted cute little white pines, which grew into huge hazards. Today, urgent HOA remedial action is needed. (Chapter XXXIV)
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
An HOA's Abysmal Neglect of the Community Center
More than two months after the HOA was notified of the problem, the gutter still sprouts weeds. Ch. XXXIII, “Living on Cuckoo Court”
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
Before the Fall: Hazardous HOA-Owned Trees in Quail Valley
Why is the HOA denying that there is a problem at all, rebuffing residents instead? Chapter XXXII of "Living on Cuckoo Court"
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
You Gotta Be Kidding: How NOT to Address a Safety Hazard
Dangerous, unstable pine trees loom over houses, and the HOA ... trims twigs?!? Chapter XXXI of "Living on Cuckoo Court."
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
HOA Threatens a Lawsuit Against 21-Year Resident
Upon receiving a S.L.A.P.P. letter from the HOA, a resident responds to it. Remember the First Amendment? Ch. 30, "Living on Cuckoo Court"
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
Federal Aid for Homeowners--Nabbed by HOA Debt Collectors
Homeowners can apply to the state for financial aid. But who actually gets the money? Chapter XXIX, "Living on Cuckoo Court"
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
Hazardous Pine Trees--A Rapid Response is Needed
Let's do the right thing, pollard or remove these 25 trees, and then we can all sleep easier. "Living on Cuckoo Court," Chapter XXVIII
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
Why Do Residents Avoid Attending HOA Meetings? (A Tough Topic)
"Just show up at the HOA meeting and we'll talk about it." If only communication were that simple. Chapter XXVII, "Living on Cuckoo Court"
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
A Minimalistic HOA? A Reformed HOA? Dissolution? We have Choices
HOAs can be altered or abolished. What sort of community we become is, ultimately, up to the residents. Ch. XXVI, "Living on Cuckoo Court"
Gaithersburg|Neighbor News|
Quail Valley HOA Harassment Continues
The HOA imposes fines for non-problems, for the trivial, thus feeding a predatory HOA-industry (Chapter XXV, "Cuckoo Court")
