Editorial: Homeowner unfairly punished by board

Wednesday, March 21, 2001 | 9:14 a.m.

Alma Davies-Williams thought she had a problem when she couldn't get Cascade Pools to finish building a swimming pool in the back yard of her home in Sun City Summerlin. But the Sun City Summerlin Community Association added insult to injury when it fined her $1,800 for the unsightly hole left because of the unfinished project. The board later reduced the amount to $800 after she protested, but the fact is that no fine should have been levied in this instance.

Government should tread lightly when it comes to intervening in the actions of private groups. But homeowners associations more and more have assumed powers that nearly rival those of government, occasionally abusing their authority without any accountability. The Nevada Legislature has imposed some restrictions on what homeowners groups can do, but laws on their own don't necessarily result in boards making decisions based on common sense. Homeowners associations should forgo fines against individuals who, through no fault of their own, have been victimized by contractors who failed to complete a job.