Homeowner's Association Update: 2/24/08

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

Great. Thanks for the advice guys.

Basically, rather than calling the guy up, I'm just going to send a letter. Here's a rough draft:

"Dear George,

Thank you for your meeting with David. It's been the most positive interaction we've had with the association so far. This whole situation has been off-putting to say the least. So far, I've had someone yell at me over the phone saying I haven't been neighborly by not joining and been receiving letters stating that before selling my house we would have to pay back dues.

The reason we moved into this neighborhood is because my new wife and I found the lack of a mandatory (and we were told 'non active') Homeowner's Association very attractive. It has nothing to do with the money, we just are not interested in being members.

Thank you for your offer and thank you for meeting with David, but we'd like to politely decline."

How does that sound? I want to be as firm, but also as friendly as possible...

I'd leave out all the parts about what happened. The situation is basically settled so at this point the only thing you need to do is decline. Bringing up the other stuff really serves no purpose other than to throw it back at him about what a bunch of crap his HOA is. At least that is how it will feel to him.

I'd say:

I appreciated you diplomacy in our meeting. It was exactly what the situation called for and certainly left us with a good impression.

Thanks for the offer but at this time we are simply not interested in joining. Should my wife and I change our minds we will let you know.

And that's it.

No need for any extracuricualr stuff that will get you nothing.