New HOA Rule - No Covers

[dartref]

Need some advice and informative ammunition. I live in a condo with no garages, therefore the 2016 Harley Tri Glide must stay outside in the parking lot exposed to the elements. We keep it covered every night with either a half-cover when the weather is nice, or a full-cover during bad weather or when we're gone for several days. Last week, my Home Owner's Association board passed a new rule to disallow covers on all vehicles, for a variety of reasons, primarily for snowbird owned cars with covers that are parked and covered for months at a time. However, the rule that was passed was a very broad ALL vehicles. So now, my property manager has suggested I submit a letter next week stating all the legitimate reasons why motorcycles should be covered. Living in swampy Florida with a lot of wildlife and occasional storms, along with water sprinklers and theft prevention issues, some of the reasons we will list are fairly obvious. What I'm hoping to get from someone here are explanations or documentation of long-term damage caused by leaving a motorcycle uncovered for extended periods of time. Any help anyone can add to my list would be greatly appreciated.

[1dn5up]

Need some advice and informative ammunition. I live in a condo with no garages, therefore the 2016 Harley Tri Glide must stay outside in the parking lot exposed to the elements. We keep it covered every night with either a half-cover when the weather is nice, or a full-cover during bad weather or when we're gone for several days. Last week, my Home Owner's Association board passed a new rule to disallow covers on all vehicles, for a variety of reasons, primarily for snowbird owned cars with covers that are parked and covered for months at a time. However, the rule that was passed was a very broad ALL vehicles. So now, my property manager has suggested I submit a letter next week stating all the legitimate reasons why motorcycles should be covered. Living in swampy Florida with a lot of wildlife and occasional storms, along with water sprinklers and theft prevention issues, some of the reasons we will list are fairly obvious. What I'm hoping to get from someone here are explanations or documentation of long-term damage caused by leaving a motorcycle uncovered for extended periods of time. Any help anyone can add to my list would be greatly appreciated.

Very simple ; Motor Cycles Excluded ! The cover must be motor cycle designed . As you can not use a tarp to cover them .

[Bruce]

the first dam thing i would do is put the condo up for sale and get a real house where you can do what you want with your own stuff

Need some advice and informative ammunition. I live in a condo with no garages, therefore the 2016 Harley Tri Glide must stay outside in the parking lot exposed to the elements. We keep it covered every night with either a half-cover when the weather is nice, or a full-cover during bad weather or when we're gone for several days. Last week, my Home Owner's Association board passed a new rule to disallow covers on all vehicles, for a variety of reasons, primarily for snowbird owned cars with covers that are parked and covered for months at a time. However, the rule that was passed was a very broad ALL vehicles. So now, my property manager has suggested I submit a letter next week stating all the legitimate reasons why motorcycles should be covered. Living in swampy Florida with a lot of wildlife and occasional storms, along with water sprinklers and theft prevention issues, some of the reasons we will list are fairly obvious. What I'm hoping to get from someone here are explanations or documentation of long-term damage caused by leaving a motorcycle uncovered for extended periods of time. Any help anyone can add to my list would be greatly appreciated.

[LadyonaMission]

You could draw up a petition that you would not have purchased your condo without a garage had this been in the rules. Have the owners that have a covered vehicle and those that do not object to vehicles being covered sign it.

I don't like the idea that a group on the board can make the rules for everyone involved.

[paws]

There was probably one little snit board member that brought this up at their secret meeting and they all voted on it without ANY prior input from the HOA members as a whole. It would seem they should have brought it up as a suggestion, notified all HOA members to come to a meeting to discuss and/or submit a signed objection or signed approval form, then the board vote according to the petitions. I would review the articles of the HOA to see if they can legally make these decisions without the input of the community members paying the HOA fees.

[rhino 2]

Could it be possible that some of the home owners didn't want to spring for proper car covers and covered their stuff with those obnoxious 8 dollar harbor freight BLUE plastic tarps........

[frostbite51]

HOA have any rules about enclosed trailers? Put your trike in its own little garage...

[bikerbillone]

Need some advice and informative ammunition. I live in a condo with no garages, therefore the 2016 Harley Tri Glide must stay outside in the parking lot exposed to the elements. We keep it covered every night with either a half-cover when the weather is nice, or a full-cover during bad weather or when we're gone for several days. Last week, my Home Owner's Association board passed a new rule to disallow covers on all vehicles, for a variety of reasons, primarily for snowbird owned cars with covers that are parked and covered for months at a time. However, the rule that was passed was a very broad ALL vehicles. So now, my property manager has suggested I submit a letter next week stating all the legitimate reasons why motorcycles should be covered. Living in swampy Florida with a lot of wildlife and occasional storms, along with water sprinklers and theft prevention issues, some of the reasons we will list are fairly obvious. What I'm hoping to get from someone here are explanations or documentation of long-term damage caused by leaving a motorcycle uncovered for extended periods of time. Any help anyone can add to my list would be greatly appreciated.

Yikes, I lived in Davenport for much of my life, i guess you live in the 'new' Davenport out off 27, man that is disgusting the HOA would do that. What the H*** can they be thinking to make this all inclusive.

[Jack Klarich]

All vehicles is pretty broad

Have a lawyer look at this

As a biker are you being taken advantage of ?

[Mcahron]

Tell the HOA the cover protects them from lawsuits caused by children being hurt playing on motorcycles and trikes.

[peteg59]

Tell the HOA the cover protects them from lawsuits caused by children being hurt playing on motorcycles and trikes.

^....This is likely your best way to get the ban lifted in your case.

In this day and age of lawsuits, no matter how frivolous, "safety" is something that cannot be ignored. Lawyers would have a literal field day with an organization that willfully ignores a safety concern/issue. Trick is to get a document in front of the board detailing any/all safety concerns before, God forbid, any actual "incident".

A prime example would be a child suffering severe and disfiguring burns, or other physical/psychological injuries, from contact with a hot engine/pipes resulting from an "uncovered" cycle/trike.

Good luck in your quest...

[frostbite51]

The way this HOA sounds they would put a ban on bikes and trikes...

[Zammy]

We live in a community governed by a HOA also, our by laws and rules cannot be changed without a communal vote at the annual meeting which is in March of every year. You should check your covenants and see how they are set up.

[GRR]

I would have to ask if they are going to pay you for the lost value of your trike once the paint fades, the rust starts, and the plastic parts start cracking and crazing.

[ultrafxr]

The way this HOA sounds they would put a ban on bikes and trikes...

I have a friend who inherited a condo near Miami that has just that very prohibition. The condo is not up for sale.

[dartref]

I would review the articles of the HOA to see if they can legally make these decisions without the input of the community members paying the HOA fees.

Unfortunately, yes they can. Anything that changes the declarations of the HOA documents must be voted on by the entire membership at the annual meeting. "Day to day" business and policies are all under the 100% authority and direction of the board until the next annual meeting.

[dartref]

Could it be possible that some of the home owners didn't want to spring for proper car covers and covered their stuff with those obnoxious 8 dollar harbor freight BLUE plastic tarps........

Nope, there are only about 5-6 total covers on property (out of 500 units) and ALL of them "classy" made to fit covers, whether it be cars or motorcycles.

[dartref]

HOA have any rules about enclosed trailers? Put your trike in its own little garage...

No permanent trailers.

[dartref]

Tell the HOA the cover protects them from lawsuits caused by children being hurt playing on motorcycles and trikes.

THIS is constructive and good advice! Thanks.

[dartref]

I would have to ask if they are going to pay you for the lost value of you trike once the paint fades, the rust starts, and the plastic parts start cracking can crazing.

Another good line to add to my letter, thanks!