Thousands of homeowners are outraged in Sahuarita. Residents in the Rancho Sahuarita community recently received letters from their home owners association. The notices say they need to repaint their houses or fix their landscaping. But, many residents say their home doesn't need fixing and refuse to pay thousands of dollars in repairs.
More than 5,000 homes make up the Rancho Sahuarita community. The oldest home was built in the early 2000's and new ones pop up every year. Under the home owners association, Associa, residents are required to keep their homes up to a certain standard.
The HOA says they inspected each house in March and April of this year. Many are outraged after 2,600 residents received notices in the mail saying they needed to fix their homes.
One letter read, in part, "This audit noted that your home does not meet the minimum community wide standards for exterior paint."
The letter also included a list of local painters and landscape companies offering discouts.
Some neighbors say they're surprised their home didn't meet those standards. One resident we spoke to wanted to remain anonymous.
"It's held up rather well and I've always kept it up," he said about the paint on his home. "If I find a place that needs a touch-up I do it because I do have some pride and ownership in my home".
Others received letters saying their landscaping wasn't up to code. What's surprising for many people is that their homes are relatively new or were repainted not too long ago.
"Some have had their homes painted within the last year, some of those within the last few months and they don't need painting."
Repainting an entire home could cost several thousand dollars.
"5,000 homes in the subdivision, and half of them need to be repainted, unnecessarily in most cases. It's just a ridiculous situation."
Many residents thought the notices were sent out by mistake, but according to Associa Arizona that's not the case. Associa's management company released this statement:
"Homeowners within the Rancho Sahuarita master plan agreed to abide by the community standards when they purchased their homes. The Rancho Sahuarita Homeowner's Association recently inspected each home pursuant to the Community Wide Standards and determined that some homes did not meeting the painting or landscaping standards. These homeowners have been asked to correct the deficiencies as part of community-wide efforts to maintain the value and aesthetics of the neighborhood for the families who live here and the families considering to make their home in Rancho Sahuarita."
"The inspection of homes for Rancho Sahuarita took place during March and April and 2,600 letters were sent to homeowners regarding compliance for paint and landscaping infractions. This is a follow up to the May 2013 compliance effort in which 1800 letters were sent to homeowners, resulting in over 1350 violations being corrected."
"If a homeowner feels they are in compliance, then we ask that they please contact Associa Arizona and set up a re-inspection at which time photos will be taken to document any infractions."
"Every homeowner that received a letter was also given a copy of the Community Wide Standards which is specific to acceptable exterior paint coverage and notes deterioration of wood, excessive chipping and peeling of paint or stucco as infractions needing to be brought up to standards."
