re: HOA Attorney Suggestions

When I was in college, I worked in permits and building inspection. We dealt with a lot of issues like this. They were not in the city limits, since the city/towns had their own inspectors, but what I am getting at is.. See if your city has an inspection office, if not then contact the parish inspection office and talk to the inspector.

Since it is already done, there is a good chance nothing will be done about it. Technically if they violated code, the inspector can make them fix it so it doesn't drain in your backyard, but with the HOA approval, that's going to be hard to fight. You would have to take legal action against them. They gave your neighbor the approval, he only did what he was approved to do.

Does the HOA have its own codes? I assume that they have to follow the city or parish codes. If so, do they get approval from city or parish?

I am thinking this out as I type. So if HOA gave him approval, that's who you have to challenge. If they are supposed to use the city or parish codes and they didn't and what they approved did indeed violate code then the city or parish could then enforce them to fix it so that it meets code. They will then say "well HOA approved it. I am not paying for it to be fixed, they will have to pay for it in order for it to be done".

So before you even think about hiring an attorney, make sure they are 100% violating code. Go to the inspectors office and see if they approved it and if not, then go to HOA and ask them what did they base their decision on when they approved your neighbor's parking extension because, according to the building code, they approved them to do something that violates the code. If they tell you a bunch of bullshite, don't argue with them. Just tell them that you are hiring a lawyer it will get worked out legally. They will probably wait to see if you are bluffing, but hopefully once your lawyer contacts them, they will see that they don't have a strong case and then get it worked out.