HOA dead grass replacement

[Yuhei Kato]

Hello, I got a notice from my HOA that their is a area in the front lawn with dead grass and it needs to be replaced. I've had that property for 6 years now and that same spot has always had that issue. They've never seem to care until recently. I can patch it up but it's in a spot that doesn't get sun and the grass dies. I've never replaced grass but I have an idea on what to do I'm curious what other landlords do in this situation. Do you replace your self or pay someone to replace it? Any advice helps thank you.

[Michael King]

I had a similar letter about 6 weeks ago. I have just bought this house and the weeds have taken a good 15 years to nurture. Seems the HOA decided a new owner is the right resident to target. Damn I was mad. My yard....if it didn't have weeds, it would be dirt. I went to a nursery and chatted with the owner about this BS, he suggested I seed the place with rye grass. I bought 2 50lb bags and sent my kids all over the yard with that stuff. Fast forward to today, I have the most green and lush lawn in the neighborhood, and it is choking out the weeds. It's a winter grass. The HOA has now backed down and closed it out. Cost me $100 in seed for a half acre, and many hours of beer drinking while pulling weeds...and cussing about the HOA whenever a neighbor would stop by to chat.

When they said I had over 20% weeds, I made it clear to them in a phone call that if they were going to pursue a $1000 fine that they threatened me with, they would need to provide a quantifiable and repeatable method for measuring the weed saturation. I think that coupled with the fire that was burning inside, and the effort I put forth, they backed down. 

I hate HOAs, but as in investor, I appreciate their value in keeping my property values safe from idiot neighbors.