The worst living experience I ever had...anywhere...
The HOA was downright fascist. They would walk around all day and find anything even bordeline for fines. I got two fines that were complete fiction
Example: "bike on the patio"
ME: I DONT OWN A BIKE!
HOA: Well, it was there pay up or be evicted
ME: Show me the proof
HOA: We dont have any! tough s***, f*** you pay me!
There was several cases where the HOA would post bogus or borderline fines and take the owners to court and file suit to TAKE THE CONDO FROM THEM OVER A FEW 25 DOLLAR FINES! It was a such a racket!
The Parking situation is the saddest I have ever seen. My car was towed one night even with the approved sticker. The management teams response "prove it, we dont care, tough ----". They have a under the table relationship with Henry's Towing where they give me them free reign to violate the rights of the tenants IN THEIR OWN HOMES!
My bill for cars 6 hours visit to Henrys, 240 DOLLARS CASH!
One summer they decided to pave the parking lot, on 2 days notice!!! over 30 cars were towed while people were on vacation,etc. Mind you, even if they were home, there is no parking when they pave and you have to hide out a freaking border jumper in the office parking lots ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE STREET. The office occupants are very familiar with the "infamous" parking situation at Chestnut Grove Condos. They keep an eye out for people using their lots as well because they know the place is a dump. Also, god forbid you have a visitor, sorry grandma, you have to clear 4 lanes of busy traffic and walk up a hill to get the condo when the visitors spots are used up (ALWAYS!)
The common areas they are so worried about you violating had 20 year old dirty carpet and were ancient.
Oh, and when someone in the unit above leaks water in your condo, damaging it, the HOA suddenly disapear and wont help you.
I wouldnt wish this place on my worst enemy
a Complete s***hole

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 09/08/2009
I currently live/own a condo, and I know the association can be difficult to deal with at times. For whatever reason it seems they just plain don't like renters and treat them as second class citizens and could care less about their complaints. Oh, and charge $250 move in fees to keep renters numbers down and association income up. In fairness, a high percentage of renters in a condo drives down the value, and makes loans for potential buyers harder to come by. As far as the fee for bike on a patio, I've had a few run ins myself. I, however, found if I stick to my guns and deny it in a normal hearing, they back down. I had a situation where garbage was put on the floor of garbage room, rather than in garbage container- $50 fee. a roommate driving the wrong way- $50 fee. I paid for niether. Also they do check for balconies to be free of clutter. I had remodeled my kitchen and used my balcony to hold the old material until I could put it out for large garbage pickup- one day a week. I got a note the next day saying it needed to be moved ASAP. I did, and got no fine. You say they said, pay us or be evicted? they can't evict you, the owner can. They can only put pressure on the owner with fines. You complained about taking owners to court for fines. Well, I'm glad they are doing something to get owners to pay the fees they are supposed to. The complex costs a lot of money to maintain and we need all owners to pay their dues or we are short and have to look for other ways to get money, i.e. excessive rules and fines. Unfortunately, many owners don't pay as they should and that hurts everyone else. The towing is ridiculous-any visitor after midnight. But I don't see any answer since there is no street parking nearby. I know of other complexes that tow at 10pm. I did have a friend that did not get their pass in time and got towed. It seems there was a dispute with the owner and the association, and the renter got hurt in the proccess. In that case it is the owners responsibility and should pay the fine. I never had a problem with the paving because they did it during work hours when I'd be out with my car anyways. Not sure why you say visitors' spots are always filled. I have guests regularly, and they always have a spot. Just can't have them past midnight or they will be towed. About the water leaking, that is between owner and the association doesn't really have anything to do with that. I had that situation and I was honest enough to go to the people below me and offer to pay for the damage. My insurance took care of it. Unfortunately, most owners don't act this way, and you may have to fight with them to get reimbursed for the damage. But then again if you are renting, you should go to your owner and they in turn should contact the offending owners. You, as a renter, should not be involved. It is the owners responsibility to keep the upkeep of the home and fix water damage. My main problem now is their lack of responsiveness. I have been trying to get an exterminator out here for monthes and the management company has not been answering. The association has done very little to get them to do their job. Our fees go to servicing the building, including an exterminator contract, and they should be all over the management company to do their job.

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