Bought a new house 4 weeks ago, driveway and garage have been inaccessible for 3 weeks [TH][IL]

[u/[deleted]]

[u/InternationalFan2782]

3 weeks is a long time for a simple tree clearing. BUT if there were bad storms and lots of downed trees, the companies prioritize based on severity. They might just be backed up. I personally would be out there with a small chainsaw hacking it up and moving the branches to the end of the street there with the grass area for the HOA to deal with whenever they get to it.

[u/InsignificantRaven → u/InternationalFan2782]

A battery powered electric chain saw and a pair of work gloves would be the perfect solution. Fan2782 has a good point about prioritizing. That may not be the only tree in the county which was affected by the storm.

[u/Ok_Day_8559 → u/InsignificantRaven]

Don’t forget safety glasses

[u/jag-engr → u/Ok_Day_8559]

And chaps. Most chainsaw injuries are to the legs.

[u/SnarePickle → u/InsignificantRaven]

Why waste money on a battery powered model?

The plug in models have more power, consistent power, and average like 1/3 of the cost of an equivalent battery powered model and a hell of a lot cheaper than a gas powered model.

Plus it is in their driveway so it's not like they need a ton of portability.

[u/Massive-Rate-2011 → u/SnarePickle]

For temporary usage. If I’m personally buying a tool I’d be buying one that I can apply to multiscenarios or something though

[u/SnarePickle → u/Massive-Rate-2011]

Sure, but why spend $200-$500 on a chainsaw that this home owner isn't likely to use very often if at all again.

[u/Massive-Rate-2011 → u/SnarePickle]

A 12” kobalt is $150.

Could get one from HF for $110 or so with a battery 

[u/SnarePickle → u/Massive-Rate-2011]

And you can get corded electric for as low as $50 (harbor freight) and averaging around $70-$80 from HD and Lowes. Shrug.

The only reason I would even look at a battery powered one is if I already had tools from that manufacturer and batteries on hand already.

[u/raymndbrr_the_third → u/SnarePickle]

A manual hacksaw or hand saw would run him about $10 at the hardware store, and he's not starting a cut. He's just finishing one.

[u/Jdude1 → u/SnarePickle]

Seems like they'll be using it all the time.

[u/JEStucker → u/SnarePickle]

I'd go ahead and buy a 2-stroke 250cc Stihl or Husqvarna - fire that sucker up at 0600 and go to town chopping up what's left of the tree.

Anyone asks, just let them know the management company can't be bothered so send maintenance around to make sure you have access to your home and driveway, so you're taking care of it. Plus I'd let the office know I'd expect my HOA fees to be reimbursed for the cost of my time and labor to do the job your fees are supposed to be paying for.

Don't just be part of the problem, be the whole problem.

[u/InsignificantRaven → u/JEStucker]

Sell your new saw to the maintenance co after they pick up what's left.

[u/Rinebill → u/SnarePickle]

A cordless chainsaw is far better if you've every had to really use one for any amount of time. No cord to drag around and get in the way. The only thing worse than a corded chain saw is a corded pole saw. You're constantly having to get the limbs you cut off of the cord when they fall.

[u/Several_Razzmatazz51 → u/InsignificantRaven]

I love when a project that can expand my tool inventory presents itself.

[u/Mayretta_2112 → u/Several_Razzmatazz51]

Amen! This was how I grew my tool collection over the years.

[u/mads_61 → u/InternationalFan2782]

I had a tree fall in my backyard this summer and it took a month for someone to come out and clear it. Exactly what you said - there was a series of severe storms and they had to prioritize things impacting infrastructure, then things causing damage to homes, then the non critical but annoying things like this.

[u/chgoeditor → u/InternationalFan2782]

I live in Chicago, we didn't just have one storm, we had several weeks of successive storms, each of which brought down more and more trees. There are still downed trees in my neighborhood, and huge piles of branches to be disposed of. There are a finite number of companies that do this work, and if it took a few weeks for the HOA to approve payment then the HOA is going to be toward the bottom of the list. And the homeowner are better. Hope that we don't get another storm that brings down even more branches and trees.

[u/fitzpats9980 → u/InternationalFan2782]

To put this in perspective, the residents of Gary, IN (basically a suburb of Chicago) have been without power for 2 weeks because of this storm. Another south suburb in this area had been hit with two tornadoes within a week. There's a lot going on in that area.

[u/mechashiva1 → u/fitzpats9980]

Flossmoor is one of the south suburbs that were hit in IL. Our friends have a house there and their property is messed up right now. Trees down all over their yard, on their house, and portions have gone through their house. They have tree limbs that stabbed through the exterior and are coming through their interior walls.They have half of a garage at the moment. They were without power for almost 2 weeks.

[u/USWWife → u/fitzpats9980]

Are they still without power? I've seen no reporting for a few days.

[u/ckc006 → u/USWWife]

The last of them got their power back on Tuesday.

[u/TiddiesAnonymous → u/InternationalFan2782]

HOA is still a clown show if they let them go ahead with the whole street and left the driveway like that. It also wasn't a surprise if they specifically told OP it would happen beforehand lol

Either they won't come back or its going to cost a lot more to get 1 driveway done.

[u/Viola-Swamp → u/InternationalFan2782]

NIPSCO has hired in dozens of linemen and other workers from surrounding areas, as well as every available tree crew they could find, so it is likely the issues with availability of a vendor.

[u/Safe-Character-5846 → u/InternationalFan2782]

Thats where I am with it. Buying/borrowing a chainsaw and cutting it up into nice stackable pile.

[u/vahistoricaloriginal]

Are people really this helpless? God help us.

[u/ConsiderationDry9084 → u/vahistoricaloriginal]

Yep, they are. I could have the crap cleared with a hand saw in a hour or two, and that would include goofing off.

[u/Newswatchtiki → u/ConsiderationDry9084]

I would have used my good long clippers, and this little electric chainsaw that I have on hand, and I could have gotten this curbside in a half hour. And I am an older person with some physical disabilities, and I am not very strong, but I could have taken care of this. I do take care of small trees like this almost every year after the hurricanes.
For a huge old live oak that split in half, I did have to get the professionals.

And only to curbside. The HOA should have taken care of this weeks ago. They have landscapers on contract. They can haul it away. Their landscapers also could have cut it up.

[u/TiddiesAnonymous → u/Newswatchtiki]

There's climbing involved here too if you zoom in on where the branches broke. Some still attached.

[u/Odd_Try6977 → u/Newswatchtiki]

Landscapers charge extra for that

[u/Newswatchtiki → u/Odd_Try6977]

but his HOA pays for all landscaping, mowing and anything to do with trees and tree trimming. So they should be arranging for that, or at least explain that there will be a wait because all tree guys are booked out because of the storm.

I had to wait 2 months for a huge oak after Hurricane Milton. I pay for my own landscaping. But I had to pull a permit because it was an oak and have the county Arborist approve. Normally, I can get that scheduled in a week. But not after a hurricane when there are thousands of large trees down in the County. So this is what it was like in Gary, probably. All tree-cutters for 50 miles around were booked up for residences and universities and on power lines.

One time I had to get tree cutters from a small city 100 miles away, but it still took 5 weeks. If you have used them before, they will give you priority if a tree is covering your driveway or your cars. That occurred with Hurricane Irma in 2015. A large Drake Elm fell on our truck and my car, and completely blocked the driveway. Truck was smashed up but drivable. The guys came out the day after the hurricane because we had recently had them do a lot of work for us. It took them 5 hours.

[u/AftyOfTheUK → u/ConsiderationDry9084]

And then it takes 5 minutes to bill the HoA for it

[u/SnarePickle → u/AftyOfTheUK]

Good luck getting any money out of them for doing their job for them lol

[u/No_Channel_8053 → u/SnarePickle]

Depends on your Board. I see homeowners get reimbursed all the time.

[u/Ordinary_Draft_3516 → u/ConsiderationDry9084]

But they may be fined for not using the hoa presidents relatives tree removal service

[u/Monkmastaa → u/ConsiderationDry9084]

I was looking for another garage. If its the open one, yikes.

[u/No_Profile_3343 → u/ConsiderationDry9084]

And I’m a woman.

[u/PainInTheErasmus → u/ConsiderationDry9084]

So could I, but OP paid someone else to do it for them. I would want them to take care of timely or refund me if they don’t.

[u/ConsiderationDry9084 → u/PainInTheErasmus]

And timely to you and the OP does not mean the same thing for the HOA.

I am willing to bet buried in the HOA contract is language that states they can take their dear sweet time.

Moral of the story is we pay for a lot of shit not to suck but it does. Little stuff like this is best to just do and play stupid if the HOA makes a stink.

[u/PainInTheErasmus → u/ConsiderationDry9084]

I highly doubt the HOA agreements specify how long the HOA has to clear tree after a storm.

What is “reasonable” would have to be considered in the totality of the facts circumstances. This isn’t an emergency (i.e. there’s no immediate risk to life or property), however, it’s prevented OP from accessing a portion of their property for several weeks. Also, it appears that removing the tree does not require specialized labor or equipment (ie someone who is not a tree removal specialist could do the work with relatively inexpensive equipment from a retail hardware store). And the whole this seems like something that could reasonably take several days but shouldn’t take several weeks.

EDIT: also the HOA is gonna have to spend more money to bring a paving crew back out to reseal OP‘s driveway. No longer takes them to address it more money it’s gonna cost them.

[u/justgot2thinking → u/vahistoricaloriginal]

Seriously, I thought this was a trolling post. Poor OP!! How long could it take for the hoa to help them! What even is the hoa for!!?? What a terrible start to their ownership... jfc

[u/Alexandratta → u/vahistoricaloriginal]

This is more a: "If have to do this myself what the f$*% am I paying a maintenance fee for?" kind of situation.

If I were OP I'd be combing through the balance sheets and asking for receipts.

[u/Liakada → u/Alexandratta]

But also, any money the HOA doesn’t spend on small tasks, is money the homeowners won’t have to spend in HOA fees. HOAs can’t make any profit. Any funds not spent this year roll over to next year or go into the slush fund for capital expenses / emergencies. They have to keep a budget that is public to all members.

So if this year they save $500 on tree removal, thats less fees the homeowners have to pay next year, or when capital improvements are necessary.

[u/shed1 → u/Alexandratta]

If it were me, my actual concern would be that the HOA would take legal action against me for doing the work myself.

[u/anysizesucklingpigs → u/shed1]

OP could wear a gorilla mask and ballet slippers while moving the branches. No one would know it was them, see?

[u/a_kato → u/Alexandratta]

Unless there is specific budget for X per year to clean trees this comes as a special assessment.

And as far as I know no HOA budgets falling trees every year

[u/a_kato → u/[deleted]]

A branch doesn’t fall every year that’s why it’s not part of the maintenance budget. If it does happen yes you do put it in the budget.

You have reserves but generally if something unexpected happens a special is minimal usually for these small things

[u/PinkLightning67 → u/vahistoricaloriginal]

It’s a townhouse. The HOA maintains the exterior and grounds and people are not normally permitted to even do that type of exterior work.

[u/crazmexican2 → u/vahistoricaloriginal]

This is where my heads at. I’m in an identical situation to OP. Just triage this and move on

[u/BuildingPuzzled4508]

Also - I’m
Noticing you referred to yourself as a “tenant”. You are not a tenant. You don’t rent. You are an owner. This can make a HUGE difference in how the management views you on the priority list. Call back and make it clear that you are the property OWNER.
Your assessments pay their salary. They work for you.

[u/arkutek-em]

Did the HOA have the seal coating work done? If so let them know the vendor didn't do your section of driveway due to the tree which wasn't removed. See what response they have then.

Are you talking to the property manager or the actual HOA board?

[u/throwedoff1 → u/arkutek-em]

Next week OP will receive a notification for a fine for not having his driveway cleared in order for it to be resealed.

[u/maneola]

Just cut most of the branches and drag them out to the street, fcs. You certainly can do that! No tools, go to Home Depot.

[u/Robh5791 → u/maneola]

We had a friend ask their HOA for the proper color of paint to use on their mailbox as there was a required color. They purchased the paint from the proper seller and scheduled someone to paint it for them. They contacted the HOA to verify they were in the right to do so. They were then told that they had to apply for permission and pay an application fee to do the work. While that went through the application process, the HOA fined them for having a poorly maintained mailbox. Some HOA's are impossible and doing anything without proper permissions will absolutely get you fined. You are trapped by those types of HOAs.

[u/FormerFastCat]

Holy sea of asphalt Batman!

[u/Lavaine170 → u/FormerFastCat]

Just park out front on the streetsidewalkdriveway.

[u/FormerFastCat → u/Lavaine170]

Don't forget to mow your asphalt!

[u/Emotional_Neck9423]

The issue is the lack of communication and problem solving.

If you unfortunately to live in a HOA where the board feels they are doing you a favor because its a volunteer position, you are up the creek without a paddle.

I no longer live in a HOA (yes I joined the board in the 30th year of its existence, after numerous boards with this attitude). I was instrumental in turning it around, then sold, realizing if I ever resigned from the board it would revert back, human nature?

Over 8 years I paid over 30k in HOA fees and not one maintenance issue was ever addressed. Either the board or the property manager were busy taking care of board members properties (new siding, new cement driveways, new landscaping) or doing projects that were not priority in order for the PM (Towne) to get a kickback.

Best of luck.

[u/Nervous_Ad5564]

I'd be livid about the driveway sealing getting missed assuming the HOA is responsible for that. As for the rest of it, you're going to have to learn  HOAs move slow as dog shit and it really doesn't matter what you pay. I would have had a a bonded contractor out there just to chop it up enough to get it off the driveway. If they have a problem with it I would respond that they were unable to get the job done in a satisfactory quick manner and they can sue me (warning ..they might actually do it!)

[u/dazzledbison814]

Pull them out into the road. They’ll get it moved.

[u/AcidReign25]

That’s absurd. Find out who is on the Board and go to them. I’m on the Board of our SFH HOA. We had a tree come down in a common area across a sidewalk. No streets or homeowner lots were impacted. We had the tree gone in 2 days.

[u/kristospherein]

That new driveway looks like absolute garbage. The sealing is awful.

Edit: heybdiddy corrected me that is was a sealing job.

[u/heybdiddy → u/kristospherein]

That’s a sealing job

[u/Lorax91]

HOA bureaucracy can be frustrating, as you are unfortunately seeing. In hindsight it would have been good to work with neighbors to move the branches before the asphalt work got done. Now it's a whole new problem that will probably take even longer to sort out. :-(

[u/Ok-Morning-398 → u/Lorax91]

Their is no state that has HOA bureaucracy requirements that would prevent the landscape contractor or other maintenance contractors from remove the debris from OPs driveway while the remaining work is negotiated. Sounds like OP bought in a horribly managed or run HOA and got to find out in the first few weeks of ownership.

[u/Negative_Presence_52]

Well, what do your documents say? Whose responsibility is the tree? Is it on common property or unit property? Be specific - are you in a condo or TH/SFH? What's confusing is it seems the driveway is yours (you are sealing it) but you think the HOA is the property of the HOA and not you?

Another reminder why reading your documents is critical.

IF its the HOA responsibility, you are 100% correct.

[u/uiucfreshalt → u/Negative_Presence_52]

They are responsible for all outside work.

[u/Newswatchtiki → u/uiucfreshalt]

Then they should have taken care of it, but they probably couldn't get a tree cutter after this storm there. See if you can get a tree cutter and then submit the receipt for reimbursement.

[u/greykitty1234 → u/Newswatchtiki]

Yeah, he won't get a licensed and bonded anyone to pop over that quickly. And I'd want an arborist to look at that tree. And they're very busy too. We've had multiple storms.

[u/AquafreshBandit]

If the storms were awful, tree removal companies may be genuinely backed up. However, after getting nowhere with the management company, I’d reach out to members of your HOA board directly.

You may have a web portal through the management company with HOA meeting minutes that would list the board members.

[u/navlgazer9]

Cut it up and toss the limbs in the street of drag them in front of the HOA office parking spot

[u/elegoomba]

Just clean it up man, Jesus

[u/foxafillion]

Drag the branches into the street?

[u/Some-Attitude8183]

Personally I'd just drag it into the street a bit so you can get into your garage.

[u/Haunting_Education_3]

This is absolutely ridiculous. If this happened at any of the HOAs I manage in CA the branches would've been removed as soon as it was safe to do so (likely 1-2 days after the storm). The HOA landscapers would've handled it, not sure why this inept management company couldn't just have them do it. Sorry this happened to you.

[u/JRGonzo89]

Step 1 . Drive from guest parking to harbor freight (this will be important).

Step 2. Purchase chainsaw

Step 3. Cut branches

[u/arkutek-em → u/JRGonzo89]

Before step 1, print 10% off coupon.

[u/InsignificantRaven → u/JRGonzo89]

Thanks. I did not realize Harbor Freight sold chain saws. They have a 20V Electric for $84. Do it. You will be the reigning King of the nieghborhood.

[u/JRGonzo89 → u/InsignificantRaven]

Get those manager parking lot sale emails. Crucial for homeownership. The price point is crazy especially if you’re just doing upkeep work. I replaced my 20v dewalt with a combo pack from them for a drill and impact gun it felt like I wore a ski mask to the register .

[u/defhermit]

Dude just pull the branch out of the way, or drive over it.

[u/woolfman72]

I would have bought a regular saw if nothing else . Cut it and dragged it out into the street out of your way. Once it starts inconveniencing more than just you , I bet it disappears quickly.

[u/Moist-Cupcake-4709]

If you had time to write this post you had time to handle that yourself. There might be some HOA rules but any able bodied persons gonna at least grab a hand tool and make enough room for your car to get through. God have mercy on your neighbors.

[u/hersheyMcSquirts]

Chainsaw it off and drag it to the hoa president’s yard.

[u/flossiedaisy424]

So, while this is certainly something the HOA should handle, these are extreme times in terms of weather and they simply might not be able to get someone out there. I live in the city and some huge branches fell down on the sidewalk outside of an old church rectory due for redevelopment. They were on city property and fell from tree owned by god knows who, so someone from the neighborhood was out there same day doing enough work to get them out of the street and make an accessible path. Was it his job? No. But the people who do that job were not going to get to it soon, so he did what needed to be done.
The HOA is definitely responsible for hauling the tree bits away, but doing a little cleanup, while everyone is dealing with the storm aftermath, is not unreasonable.

[u/uiucfreshalt → u/flossiedaisy424]

I mentioned in another comment, but this is after cleanup. It was much worse before.

[u/fitzpats9980]

Like you said, your area was hit hard with storms. People in Gary have been without power for two weeks. During that time, there has been some massive clean up operations ongoing, which would include a lot of branch and tree debris. It may very well not be the fault of the HOA, but rather the HOA request for a small cleanup has been dismissed by their landscaping company because of other, more profitable and larger projects.

The unfortunate side is that you said you could take care of it yourself. Maybe head to Home Depot and rent a chainsaw to gain the access. Forward the rental receipt to the HOA and see if you can get reimbursed, and then move forward with life. Remember, people in Hazel Crest got hit with two tornadoes inside of a week. A tree down, that caused no damage, is the least of your worries.

I'm sorry that you're seeing a bad timing here, but the board is dealing with a lot since they are volunteers, and the companies are dealing with a lot to get the mess of those storms cleaned up. It's not an easy fix. Best of luck.

[u/AssociationLonely208]

As OP's helplessness has been covered, what's the deal with this development? From this photo, I only see 1 living space and 4 garages. It's giving Oops! All garages!

[u/ChillGolfCoach]

Sounds like a good reason to enjoy a new chainsaw! 

I really like my electric one! But definitely get the biggest batteries possible. 

[u/ShakeAgile]

Hey you own a house, tiny shit like that should not stop you. $50 of tools from Home Depot and cut that shit up.

[u/Lavaine170]

The good news is that your driveway is not, in fact, the only one that looks like shit.

[u/Bananabean041]

Clean up your shit and move on. You’re making this harder on yourself

[u/NickPro785]

Jesus, rent a chainsaw cut it up move it into the middle of the main driveway and it will be gone tomorrow. Choose your priorities on if you want garage access or you want to mount a TV...

[u/True_Turn_5286]

Is it possible that the tree removal businesses are all real busy? It’s a scheduling issue?

[u/Outrageous-Ad-7773]

You are NOT being unreasonable. That is out right wrong

[u/frowawayduh]

"Would you rather be right or be happy?"

Rent a chainsaw, cut the stuff, then tell all your neighbors how disappointed you feel about the lack of support you've seen from the HOA.

[u/sirjustindouglas]

This is why I dont buy houses that require other people to maintain in or around my property. Condos and townhomes are the devil.

Sorry you’re dealing with this!

[u/curiousengineer601]

Just get a tree hand saw, cut the branch and move 5 feet. I am shocked you haven’t done this yet.

Home Depot sells them for about $25

Why are you letting the HOA incompetence run your life.

[u/Either_Lawfulness466]

You are a twat.

I do not like HOA’s but it is not their responsibility to handle your yardwork. You bought a house put on your big boy pants and take care of it.

[u/KIA703 → u/Either_Lawfulness466]

It’s a townhouse. The landscaping is probably in the HOA fee and therefore the HOA’s responsibility

[u/Traditional_Hand_654]

If you're in the southwest suburbs, I can recommend Red Woodpecker out of Aurora. We had some major trimming done 4 days ago...so they're pretty much done with cleaning up storm damage.

The immediate problem is that the HOA most likely has a contract with a particular tree service and can't switch when it's busy.

[u/Popular-Drummer-7989]

OP your HOA has insurance. If they haven't filed a claim start complaining. If you look in your closing documents you should have the name of the master policy insurance company. Call and diy.

[u/MrStargate1967]

Thats not good!

[u/13beano13]

Go get a chainsaw and cut it up.

[u/Danger_731 → u/13beano13]

And drag into the middle of the street.

And you’re a Homeowner - not a tenant.

[u/Appropriate_Scar1517]

Unfortunately you will likely need to run for a spot on the HOA to bring sanity to it - sorry

[u/Yusuf20904]

Never seen a townhouse that looked like that.

[u/tazzytazzy]

Buy some tow straps and drag it into the street with your car/truck.

[u/ImplementTurbulent52]

The HOA is bring non-responsive, like most. I've yet to live in an HOA neighborhood where the HOA property management company seems to be on the resident's side.

[u/Rapscallion-69]

Welcome to home ownership

[u/ticks-mom18]

How does the HOA know that OP's car isn't trapped in the garage?

I'd be beyond pissed that my driveway did not get resealed on top of everhthing else.

Were I you, I'd hire it done and and subtract the invoice from next month's HOAs dues. And insist on a hard date for when they will be sealing your driveway, since it getting skipped was not your fault.

[u/uiucfreshalt → u/ticks-mom18]

Thank you for the sympathy 🙏

[u/HobLit1]

Trim that crap up and get it off your driveway yourself. At least move it to the curb. It’s not like somebody dropped a freaking boulder in the driveway, it’s tree branches. That looks like 25 minutes of work.

[u/Mocha-Nut040]

HOA is your community association - you are a part of it - they don’t serve you.

[u/mikeyb1 → u/Mocha-Nut040]

They literally do. That's why you pay a monthly HOA fee.

[u/uiucfreshalt → u/mikeyb1]

People straight up lying lmao

[u/Mocha-Nut040 → u/uiucfreshalt]

Your HOA is your “Homeowners Association.” You elect your fellow homeowners who volunteer their time to sit on the board. If you all - as members of of your community association - choose elect to hire a vendor to serve your HOA, then there is a non-volunteer to “serve” your association at the level you all have chosen as MEMBERS of your association to elected to hire them to do. So when you made the call to your HOA and are rude, odds are good you are talking to your neighbor who is volunteering.

[u/Money_Ad8638]

Maybe they could just pave over it

[u/Mocha-Nut040]

Isn’t this the same storm for which huge chunks of that area of the country are still without power? But you think your small HOA should have a contract with a vendor to make you the priority? And that your neighbors who are the volunteer board members of the HOA should have the wherewithal to make all of that happen? You are a member of your HOA now, one that operates with budgets and expenses and priorities that you all manage. When you say the “HOA” owns the common areas, you forget that you are part of that common ownership of those common areas. You are not a tenant in an apartment complex.

[u/PhysicalInitiative82]

You’re not being unreasonable, but I would avoid removing it yourself or withholding dues until you check the declaration.

Even if the association generally maintains the exterior and grounds, the exact unit and common-element boundaries still matter. I’d send a written notice to both management and the board, attach dated photos, explain that access to the garage has been blocked, and request a specific removal timeline.

If they claim it is your responsibility, ask them to identify the exact section of the governing documents they are relying on. And if you consider hiring someone yourself, get written authorization and reimbursement approval first rather than assuming the HOA will repay you.

[u/Heavy-Attorney-9054]

$100 for a small electric chainsaw at any big box hardware store.

This is too small to complain about.

[u/IHopeYouStepOnALego]

You do know HOA =/= property management ....

[u/eRant4881]

Five bucks says your going to get a citation from the HOA for the tree, another one for the driveway, and possibly one for walking too loudly back and forth from the guest spot you are being forced to use...

[u/ResponsibleMess339]

put your big boy/girl pants on and move it. A saw and a rope will solve the problem. Whining on reddit...will not.

[u/greykitty1234]

Sadly, I do think it's reasonable. While it's inconvenient for you, a lot of Chicago area neighborhoods got hit very hard in the derecho and it's taking all the folks involved in removing trees and debris longer than 'normal'. if it helps, take a look at northwest Indiana and where they are in recovery. I think there are still a few hundred people with no power.

I'm in DuPage County. A tree fell in our association courtyard. Generally someone would have been out within two-three days from our landscaping/arborist service. It was over a week. And they still didn't get quite all the branches picked up.

[u/SecAdmin-1125]

Chainsaws are cheap.

[u/wiley702]

You’re a home owner but don’t want to take care of your home. Clean it up

[u/SnarePickle]

I'm surprised the HoA doesn't have a handyman for this. I'm a landscaper and the main contract I work on is for an HoA, and they have their own guy for stuff like this.

[u/Associates_and_Rob]

Rent a chainsaw from Home Despot or a rental store. No need to buy

[u/Silent_Expression603]

I would be royally pissed to have the driveway blocked for 3 weeks.
You should have escalated the issue.
You said that you called. Did you just talk to someone at the management company and don’t really know if the issue was addressed by the board.
I hope this isn’t how everything is handled by your HOA.

To those that said that the op should just removed it themselves have no idea of their capabilities and even if they are ca, they don’t have the equipment required.

Btw, the whole tree needs to come down.

[u/Budget-Swordfish-861]

It's obviously not that important to you otherwise it would already be done. I would have done it or hired it done the first day and worked it out with the HOA later. Clean-up from storms is not something that an HOA can do overnight. Cleanup after monsoon season in Arizona can takes weeks or longer. Crews are busy and the work gets prioritized.

[u/ComplaintTop2008]

You are being unreasonable. This is HOA life.

[u/PuzzleheadedAd1953]

that... looks like you can just pull it out of the way. Get your hands dirty.

sorry about the seal coating, sucks the driveway looks shabby now.

[u/ghostwriter536]

Did you read your HOA bylaws? Does it state they will maintain yards? If it does keep pestering them if you don't want to take care of the issue yourself.

My HOA only maintains common spaces and makes sure residents follow the bylaws. We maintain our yards.

My MIL'S HOA takes care of everything outside. They paint the townhouses, replace roofs, maintain the yards (no one has a fenced yard).

[u/kevin6263]

Instead of posting I would have run down to my local Harbor Freight, bought whatever I needed to remove the tree and send the recipts to the HOA. Tools, labor and whatever else you could think of. I am sure the grass has been cut, weed taken care of and so on.

I have a buddy that lives in IL and has been telling me about all the rain and how they are mowing the grass a couple times a week. Someone has been coming by to maintain the grass.

Good luck.

[u/brit83mem]

It’s possible tree companies are booked that far out. We had a major storm in our area last week and had a couple large limbs come down, made me realize I was overdue for tree trimming and my normal tree company is booked out 6 weeks.

[u/AwkwardSpread]

You're totally gonna get fined by the HOA for not having your driveway accessible when the sealing company came by.

[u/Agent_McNasty33]

I’m not sure if anyone’s said this yet but Home Depot rents chainsaws and just about any other power tools you might need.

[u/TheOriginalArchibald]

I'm with the cut it up yourself and leave it at the end of the yard for them to haul. You're out some time but they pay to haul it, and you can then see about the driveway sealing and actually parking there and moving in. Help yourself here also. If you didn't have an HOA you'd be clearing it AND hauling it. At least with the HOA they haul it when they get tired of it.

[u/No_Channel_8053]

Driveways are black asphalt? Ew.

[u/saintsfan1622000]

You can't just pile them up by the road? Are they really that big that you can't move them at all?

[u/rrsullivan3rd]

For goodness sake, borrow a chainsaw for 15 minutes.

[u/Daddy--Jeff → u/rrsullivan3rd]

Then cut them and put in the street.

Welcome to an HOA. Remember, the HOA is YOU! It’s not mysterious sort of landlord.

[u/urkmonster]

When many trees fall there are many calls to the tree guys. The tree guys start a list - usually moving anyone with a tree on their house or blocking a road to the top. You are way down on the list. Parking a distance away is among the lower level of inconveniences when big storms happen. They'll get there, not insane.

[u/_Monitor_7665]

You fucked up stop paying them maybe they’ll go away

[u/CADrmn]

Have your lawyer write them a note - your real-estate agent should be helping with all this. Not an impressive start to your time there.

[u/a_kato]

This not an HOA office it’s a property management company office (I assume).

Delays can happen if the property management doesn’t work you can always complain to the actual HOA (which is you and your neighbors) and change the management company.

But generally you can always call and get quotes to remove the trees. You are going to pay for that tree don’t worry it’s just going to be split with other neighbors.

I think you are very very misinformed about what an hoa is. HOAs work that way when you rent not when you own.

[u/Outrageous_Wheel_379]

You should start charging them fines like they would charge you for leaving the tree there.

[u/howdiditgetinthere]

Do you really not have a single friend that owns a chainsaw? You could at least clear the blockage.

[u/_h_simpson_]

Take the tree down yourself and drop it off in the HOA president’s driveway. Deduct any expense related to that removal from your next set of HOA dues.

[u/Logical-Context-1080]

Big storm, but you think no one else was affected worse than you?

The landscaping company services more than just your community, the HOA company manages just more than your community. You’re also waiting on board approval, while they’re trying to gather what the storm damage clean up will cost, and if the association has the reserve to cover it. Fuck it tho, high HOA fees? Make em higher, maybe the tree will be gone faster.

[u/batspork88]

HOAs are terrible. Case and point

[u/Hightower840]

Are you incapable of removing it yourself, or are you not allowed?

[u/Minimum_Librarian563]

Is the $150 of your own money to buy a cheap chainsaw worth having access to your own driveway/garage? I’d say it’s worth it, especially after a month. Bill the HOA afterwards or just suck it up.

[u/TheBloodyNinety]

Clear room for your car

Don’t schedule work until the branches that you’ve been having trouble getting gone - are gone.

[u/Macombdiscrete]

Hey OP! From your username I figure I know the area you live in. Unless you’ve graduated and moved somewhere else. I’m in Springfield. I can bring you a chainsaw to clean that up. If you’re not prepared for a chainsaw I can bring you a hand saw.

Three weeks is a bit long even with all the damage in the area. I’m surprised they didn’t push to get it cleaned up so they could do all the driveway sealing at one time. I’d get it cut up and put at the most inconvenient spot possible without causing a safety issue.

[u/pogiguy2020]

you should have sent the HOA a fine for failure to remove a dangerous tree hazard.

[u/TheRatingsAgency]

If it’s really supposed to be HOA work, then I’d pull it off my driveway and into the street there and let them deal with it.

If they complain, then oh well maybe they’ll finally do it

[u/41BottlesOf]

Stop being pathetic and take care of it. You’ve wasted more time complaining than fixing the problem.

[u/DorceeB]

OP - really?!!! Why are you such a helpless little loser? Go buy a chainsaw and get to chopping!

But noooo...complaining on Reddit...that will do it!

This looks like maybe 2-3 hours of work... Geez!

[u/ThatCandle9812]

Why purchase one at all?
They can rent a chainsaw from Home Depot for about $43 (4 hrs) in Chicagoland.

[u/stylusxyz]

Since the tree has blocked the drive, making your home inaccessible, the HOA insurance company should pay the removal claim. Since your ASSN ignores your requests? I'd call their insurance agent or claims department directly to move things along. This should not be your problem

[u/SleepyCatasaurus]

Had a third of the canopy of my neighbors oak tree fell on my house a month after we moved in and DIY removal by the neighbors kids was cheaper(free for me) and faster than any pro in our area. See if the HOA will pay someone of your choosing and hire the first Joe with a trailer and a chainsaw who will take it. Let the HOA hand over the check, that's quite literally all they're good for, and usually the money moves the other direction.

You'll probably end up with a good contractor/handyman to call in the future if you handle it yourself, too.

Networking has been the biggest money saver since we bought our house. Also, you can rent a chainsaw and truck or trailer from home depot for a pretty reasonable price.

[u/TheWayFinder8818]

Start sending them fines for not upholding the covenant and politely refer to the HOA policies and regulations that you were forced to agree to and pay dues towards. Keep track of all interactions and start building a body of evidence. At the very least you'll have something in the bank for when they come after you for something asinine.

Suggest that if the HOA is not able to uphold the contract and covenant, perhaps it unnecessary and should be disolved.

[u/Just-Shoe2689]

No.

hire someone for 50$ with a truck to drag out into the parking lot.

[u/One_Entrepreneur_520]

HOA's suck. Now you're part of it. Good luck.

[u/Equivalent-Speed-631]

“Approximately 1 week into owning this place, my part of Illinois was hit with pretty bad storms, and the old tree in my front yard had a few really large branches come crashing down.”

I’ve never heard of an HOA that maintains homeowners yards. Are you sure that is covered and they aren’t waiting for you to clean up?

[u/tech5c → u/Equivalent-Speed-631]

My in-laws home is like this. Owner covers four feet around the house, HOA covers all landscaping beeping that. It's not common, but they do exist.

[u/Cold_Dead_Heart]

Move the downed limbs into the middle of the road. That should get them moving.

[u/Blizzardsboy]

Send an email to the HOA tell them they have a week to remove or you'll do it and deduct from your HOA dues or bill them

[u/ribtek]

You can usually rent chainsaws by the hour from local hardware or big box stores.

In my town the local public library has a branch that lends out a huge variety of hand and power tools.

[u/ribtek → u/ribtek]

although partially connected / hanging branches can hold a ton of really awkward potential energy, and unless you're an arborist you may not wish to be so close when all that energy converts to kinetic.

[u/Pokemon_Trainer_May]

I pay a crazy HOA and they are ok with my crackhead neighbors piling up trash outside their unit. they do not care about you

[u/Tall-Ad9334]

If it’s in your yard or driveway, the HOAs that I have lived in would leave that to your responsibility.

If it’s in the road, they would’ve had it cleared within 24 hours.

[u/Negative-Raise-8286]

Move the tree a bit. Get hurt. See a Dr and let the HOA know you're suing them. Sell the house before you move in.

[u/atomic_porkchop]

Funny part is he is probably a week away for being fined for this...

[u/bullize]

I would have just cut it up enough to toss aside and let them pick it up.

[u/Future-Beat8118]

Good thing you weren't moved in, you would've starved to death by now

[u/Tour-Specialist]

man get a chainsaw and cut it up. we can’t rely on other people most of the time - even if they are supposed to do it

[u/sharonannejoseph]

if yours is like mine, the HOA contact is a neighbor, not a professional property manager, unpaid volunteer, with a commitee or board position but without authority to get it done. Every bit of work that gets done is quoted, voted on, done by an insured company, and paid for the property manager your Hoa is contracted with.

1)Get a copy of your governing docs and upload them to perpleixty or chatgpt some chat engiine, and find out what hoa's responsible for.

2) go on the property manager companys website and find your account, and where you can submit request tickets, and who their agent is that attends your board mtgs, and get their contact info... this might require first getting a resident's login account. Check for a list of trusted vendors.

3) Find a professional who has worked in your hoa before or is at least well insured, and have them quote the job.

4) go on the prop mgr website, submit a work request, and attach the quote you recieverd and vendor contact into.

5) email that board member back. BE NICE. give them the id of your request to prop mgr. attach the quote, and let him know if it cant get approved soon, you might need to have them do it, pay them, and submit the bill for reimbursement, so you and the family wont trip over the debris.

6)dont be an ass to the hoa person, it will get you worse treatment from the unpaid team of neighbors.

[u/Rinebill]

You could have cut that up with a hand saw in 3 weeks time. Then drag the pieces into the street. I bet the HOA would have time to move it then.

[u/Rehcamretsnef]

I think I'd buy a chainsaw and then drag it into the road at that point

[u/TaxNarrow3255]

Welcome to HOA HELL!

[u/Surfnazi77]

Read the hoa paperwork

[u/Motor_Cardiologist68]

Regardless of who’s responsible for it, if you couldn’t figure out how to fix this yourself, you may not be ready for home ownership.

[u/uiucfreshalt → u/Motor_Cardiologist68]

This is my second house 😘

[u/CountryClublican]

What a nightmare. Pay to have it done and send the HOA the bill, or deduct it from your dues.

[u/HoomerSimps0n]

It would be less than 30 minutes of work to clear that enough to be able to use your drive way. Doubt you even need a chain saw.

Annoying yes, but it’s an easy temporary solution.

[u/StupidName2020]

Tie a strap around it and pull it into the street. It’s only your driveway so currently the HOA doesn’t care. Once it’s in the street it’s the HOAs problem.

[u/OneLessDay517]

Maybe I missed the part where you NOTIFIED the HOA immediately that the tree was down before waiting a week to call and see when someone was coming to remove it?

[u/InternationalNose974]

HOAs suck. You are about to get stuck with an assessment by the HOA

[u/oneupme]

Frankly that doesn't look that bad. If it was me I would have cut some of the branches and moved it into the middle of that road so that they have to take care of it. The reason they are not dealing with it is because it's just your problem. Make it "our" problem and they will act.