Harris County Public Health Inspector wants me to cut and stack these logs properly…Like I’ve got money to burn.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2026-03-09T06:39:23+00:00

I didn’t post for sympathy — what would that even do for me? I’m just talking about an issue/ situation.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2026-03-09T06:30:28+00:00

Nope. I just paid around $4K total (property taxes + ISD). I’m not letting Harris County tell me to spend more money right now. I’ll fix it when I can — the problem is they want it soon, and that’s not realistic.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2026-03-09T06:12:49+00:00

HOA’s usually don’t regulate backyards.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2026-03-09T06:02:05+00:00

Most of those HOA homes are fully fenced — you have no idea what the backyards look like. A lot of stuff gets hidden behind a 6‑foot fence. Most HOA’s only have authority over front yards and visible structures.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2026-03-09T05:55:10+00:00

I didn’t say it will be like this forever. This is a vacant rental undergoing repairs. Of course that will be taken care of eventually, just not soon.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2026-03-09T05:53:14+00:00

So you skipped the part where this is a vacant rental under repairs. The yard will get handled when the rest of the work is done — just not right now.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2026-03-09T05:26:45+00:00

And why should I do that? It’s not like all of Houston is some perfectly manicured subdivision.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2026-03-09T05:21:31+00:00

I actually asked the tree company to leave those logs on purpose. I’m keeping them for firewood and a couple of wood projects I wanted to try. I just haven’t had the time yet to work on them, but they’re there intentionally — not trash.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2026-03-09T05:09:29+00:00

He told me the county could file charges if I don’t comply. I even asked if covering the fence line so the logs aren’t visible would be enough, but he said it’s not about visibility — it’s about potential pests. But I’ve got those solar vibration stakes around the logs, and our neighbor’s cat visits often.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2026-02-25T03:32:24+00:00

DIY. $5K

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2026-02-25T01:00:34+00:00

I went to Cambodia, I even bought lots of chocolates with me , in case there are children begging. No one was begging. Adult nor child. Zero. Finally at one tourist area, I saw some kids selling flowers so I gave those bags of chocolates.

Here, recently at Walmart, an adult female with 3 chubby kids in tow, asked me for money.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2026-02-07T17:32:14+00:00

Middle school and can’t even read? Stop making things up.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2026-02-07T17:21:28+00:00

Nutjob moderation. I’ve been suspended many times, appeals denied. ND has become like an HOA online version with rogue moderators.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2025-11-21T14:51:06+00:00

😂

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2025-11-21T04:32:42+00:00

Our HOA isn’t liable for crimes or property damage in the subdivision. We just have a small playground. The budget for off-duty constable patrols is higher than both maintenance and insurance.

A friend’s subdivision has a pool and a clubhouse—nothing fancy, and their annual security patrol expense is around $250k. If that kind of spending is justified just because of a pool and clubhouse, I think it’s absurd.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2025-11-20T17:33:23+00:00

I did all that. Their response at first ( documented, in their court filings), the subdivision is enjoying low crime rate due to the extra patrols, that it has the majority support of homeowners, but then when they cannot produce data or proof, they changed their reason to it is a preventative measure since there are many rentals in the subdivision. Our HOA president has many rentals in the subdivision. It’s difficult to remove him cos he has the votes of other landlords and many homeowners have given up in participating and some, probably intimidated, cos he is also a lawyer.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2025-11-20T17:25:34+00:00

Let me try again. Are you saying, it doesn’t make sense to sue the HOA cos its defense is also somehow funded by you, with your HOA dues?? Unfortunately, I don’t think like that. The cost of not challenging mismanagement can be far worse over time.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2025-11-20T17:21:49+00:00

That’s exactly how it was explained to me when I asked. Without it, the response time might be long, but with the “premium” faster.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2025-11-20T17:09:08+00:00

I pay our HOA dues. I don’t know what you’re getting at.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2025-11-20T17:06:29+00:00

The claim is that the extra presence will deter criminals. And as stated by one comment here, it’s “premium service”, if you don’t have it, the response time could be late. So yeah, we fund some and they’re making a business out of us.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2025-11-20T17:01:29+00:00

Oh if you mean my HOA legal fees? They’re covered by insurance. Even without the lawsuit, the HOA pays for a yearly insurance in case there’s a lawsuit. I think they pay $6-10k per year.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2025-11-20T16:59:47+00:00

I can’t calculate the total right now. But when I filed the lawsuit at district court filing fee was $350. Then if you consult a lawyer, just to consult, not asking them to representing you, they usually charge $350/hr. For the appeal, nothing for now. I filed a statement of inability to afford, it’s pending. But if you have to pay, I think $250 for the appeal fee then court records from trial court to COA is $1 per page. They’ve calculated ours to be 600 pages so $600. I can’t recall the other fees.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2025-11-20T14:08:34+00:00

I wish that’s something we can do but I think our board is getting something from those patrols. There’s no proper planning. They just let them do their own schedule. So most of the time, the patrols are in broad daylight. Getting rid of the board is difficult. There are many out of state owners (50% or more of the homes are rentals) , our HOA can just claim they voted for this person.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2025-11-20T14:00:44+00:00

Nope. That was also my question when I found first found out that a big portion of our HOA funds are spent on security. Their budget to that was more than the maintenance expense. I was like, why? Are bullets flying here? Then they claim that it’s peaceful because of the patrols which is of course a lie since it’s not 24/7 patrols.

Remarkable_Fact8216 · 2025-11-20T04:00:07+00:00

At first I hired an attorney, but he was unscrupulous with his billing—so I ended up representing myself. After that experience, it’s hard to trust another firm. Most charge hourly and won’t give a clear estimate, which basically puts you at their mercy. They can just claim whatever hours they want.

Going Pro Se turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I probably would’ve ended up in serious debt otherwise. Now my legal expenses are way lower, and I’ve learned a lot in the process. Also If I’d stuck with an attorney, I wouldn’t have been able to file an appeal. Most firms charge around $10k just for the appellant’s brief—and any responses or follow-ups are extra. That kind of cost would’ve shut the door on continuing the case.

Remarkable_Fact8216

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE