SHARYLAND – A homeowner is at odds with his property owners association over a minor improvement to his house. The association says it does not fit with the neighborhood and is threatening legal action. The man, Partha Ray, called 5 On Your Side for help. Ray said he just wanted some extra vines in the front of his house. He put up a lattice where the vines could grow. The Sharyland Residential Community Property Owners Association told him to take the lattice down. Now, they’re slapping him with a new fine every month. CHANNEL 5 NEWS found out Ray is not the only one at odds with the association.
“I said, ‘man it looks so nice. It looks beautiful,'” Ray said with a chuckle. Beauty, though, is in the eye of the beholder. According to the owners association the lattice is in violation of and not in conformance with community-wide standards. The lattice still hangs defiantly in front of Ray’s home. Ray has been getting violation letters from the association since he put up the lattice last year. “Right now, I was told it was $248 I owe in fines, which I am disregarding at this moment,” Ray said.
“Anyone that takes an opposing position or resists change or a direction is kind of put on a blacklist of a hit list or whatever,” homeowner Fran Ciancarelli said. Ciancarelli lives about half a mile away from Ray’s house. Ciancarelli has lived in his home for about seven years. Like every one else, he pays assessments and fees to the association. His bill comes to about $600 every three months. Read more: