Widow Of Veteran Facing Foreclosure From HOA
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
THE COLONY (CBSDFW.COM) – Leticia Acevas and her four young children have only memories left of the most important person in their lives.
So, when they started rebuilding their lives after Staff Sergeant Omar Acevas died in Afghanistan, in 2011, they felt normal again. "(We were) trying to help to start again." Acevas told CBS 11 news tearfully. "It's just me my kids and that's the way it's always been."
But now they're almost about to lose their home. "I just feel like I'm disappointing them," Acevas told us.
She received a notice in the mail saying her home in The Colony could be foreclosed on, if she doesn't pay her HOA fines for the missing tree in her yard.
"The tree was right here at this spot and, it was huge," Acevas pointed to the front yard where the tree was planted.
Acevas says she cut it down for security reasons. She says the tree was too big, blocking her security cameras and view of the street. But, that was four years ago.
"Then 2015 comes, January I start getting fines for the tree that's been gone since 2011," she said. She was fined about 75 dollars monthly, sometimes bi-monthly for the missing tree and a missing bush. She says she called the HOA to discuss the issue and was told she had to pay up. She admits she didn't, "when I spoke to them they told me my house needs two trees." Which she believes she already has in her yard.
When the fines got close to $5000, she got a foreclosure notice in the mail. She's trying to get the money together. "I love the neighborhood; I love the people here." she said. "But the HOA is getting ridiculous to me."
So we reached out to Stewart Peninsula HOA. A lawyer for the company would not discuss details, but said they are working to resolve the issue with Leticia.
Texas lawmakers have cracked down on HOAs over the last few years, making it harder for them to foreclose on homeowners because of unpaid fees. But it's still happening. If you belong to an HOA and are getting excessive fines, you can either appeal or negotiate with the board. You could also hire an attorney.
Leticia can't discuss details, but she's grateful to Consumer Justice. " If it wasn't for you guys I don't think they would have heard me," she said.
(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)