Living with Pigs!
By DianneN
@DianneN (246643)
United States
February 12, 2018 12:59pm CST
It doesn't matter where you live, your home and grounds need upkeep. That is, unless you want to live like a pig!
We are attending a residents' meeting tonight. Our board is in the process of making decisions. Most residents, including my husband, brother, and me, are all for painting the interior, redoing flooring in the common areas, sprucing up our lobbies, installing new lighting, repaving the parking lots, and seeing completion of new fencing.
Many of the improvements will come out of funds we have. Others will require an assessment to be paid in installments.
The problem is that there are cheapo residents living in both buildings here. They don't want to part with a penny.
To many, this is our second home. We want the same upkeep that we do to our main homes.
I certainly don't want to live like a pig! Would you?
38 people like this
39 responses
@shaggin (71664)
• United States
12 Feb 18
I can’t afford much as far as remodeling but I see to it that my house is always clean. I like my yard to look good as well. If I lived in an area like you are I think everyone should be required to pay a certain amount each to have the pavement and everything kept up.
5 people like this
@much2say (53960)
• Los Angeles, California
12 Feb 18
I'd be all for any improvements . . . don't those residents want to keep the place looking really nice? Things should be maintained, but if it's left too long, it's just a bigger project and could end up costing more. I hope those guys can be convinced to be agreeable to this!
4 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
13 Feb 18
I always like a clean house and of course, surroundings. And in addition, a clean and well-kept neighborhood.
That is why I do it myself going house to house and talked with our neighbors when the typhoon damaged some of the lightings in the neighborhood. I asked for their contributions which were equally divided.
I hired an electrician and bought all the necessary things until the lightings were again nice in our neighborhood.
But just like you, there was one wife who says why she should give when some light didn't affect her part of the neighborhood. 
3 people like this
@sallypup (57836)
• Centralia, Washington
13 Feb 18
It would be hard to live communally like that. I couldn't do it. A long, long time ago I decided that no matter what or where I lived, if folks didn't like my manner of living, then bye bye folks. Anyway, I wish you all well as you wrangle this out.
2 people like this
@sallypup (57836)
• Centralia, Washington
13 Feb 18
@DianneN God to hear. An aunt of mine, a very rich lady, once expressed her horror and disgust that somebody had had the gaul to dry their swim things out on their lanai. She found it the height of gauche, those draped towels. She didn't like clothes lines, either.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
13 Feb 18
i wouldn't, for sure. i hope others will do their responsibilities as well.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
12 Feb 18
Thanks for your input. I'm positive almost all have the financial means. We all pay a condo fee according to square footage and there is money in the reserves. However, rather than making this a piecemeal process, everything must be done as soon as possible. The assessment will be fair and spread out. I think quarterly should be fair for everyone.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
12 Feb 18
@Plethos Everyone is responsible for their own unit inside and pay a monthly common fee for general upkeep and maintenance. Yes, there is an escrow account for any money left over from the common fees. However, there is not enough for completing all the work that needs doing, hence the assessment. Five years ago, they were assessed for new roofs on each of the two buildings.
Several of us were willing to pay for the work out of our own pockets, but the board wouldn't allow it.
1 person likes this
@Plethos (13560)
• United States
12 Feb 18
@DianneN - is it in the living agreement/rental contract (?) on which repairs one is responsible for? Usually most are responsible fkr those in the home, but those others outside repairs/ upkeep are to be done by the housinv authority from the funds pooled in from rents or other. Better go over the agreements individually.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
12 Feb 18
Wouldn't upkeep be covered by the condo fees you already pay? Seems sensible.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
13 Feb 18
@MarymargII As it turns out, we already had a majority vote last year, but the new board has forgotten all about that! Jerks!
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
13 Feb 18
@DianneN True perhaps to get around it they should put it to a committee vote or whatever- majority rules! Just hope the majority go for it!
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74528)
• East Tawas, Michigan
13 Feb 18
It doesn't matter where we are living, the residence needs constant upkeep and repairs. It's not something we do once and then we're all finished. Instead, it's a continuous expense for every single household. Those other residents need to part with their money, for those necessary improvements.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
14 Feb 18
@kobesbuddy There have been many structural improvements and minor decorating, but it's high time for a beautification project.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74528)
• East Tawas, Michigan
14 Feb 18
@DianneN Yes, to make it appealing to the eye and not just trying to pinch their funds.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
13 Feb 18
The only place in my house that would make anyone think that I live like a pig, is my cupboard
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
13 Feb 18
@DianneN I just do not why I will not keep things in the right place. 
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246643)
• United States
13 Feb 18
Everything is neat and as clean as it could be. We have maids and cleaning services, lawn care, and all that. It's just looking old and outdated. I wouldn't let my house look like that. However, we made progress at the meeting and will confront the board next week.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118427)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Feb 18
Is it simple majority rules, or does everybody have to agree unanimously to the upgrades/upkeep? Hopefully, you can out-vote the cheapskates.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118427)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Feb 18
@DianneN Well that's good to hear! Hopefully, your board will complete all the improvements that are necessary to keep the property values high!
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
13 Feb 18
This year I am painting my interior, I have been here for 7 years and its due. however, I did paint a couple rooms 2 year ago and I will skip those and move onto the others. If possible I will replace my living room carpet later in the year.
I believe in keeping my surroundings clean and replace stuff that is worn out.
1 person likes this
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