“Where’s that document?”
“Association records.”
“You said that yesterday.”
“I’ll have management send it.”
“When?”
“When they locate it.”
“So you haven’t seen it either.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“I know how the community was established.”
“That isn’t a deed.”
“Mr. Anderson, I’m not debating property law on my front porch.”
“Then don’t send me property violations.”
She took a small breath.
“The notice stands.”
“You haven’t read the deed.”
“I have enough information.”
“No, you have a conclusion.”
She stepped back.
“Stay off the water.”
The door closed.
One week passed.
No transfer document.
No management email.
No explanation.
Instead, a second notice arrived.
$250 fine.
UNAUTHORIZED USE OF COMMUNITY AMENITY.
I put it beside the first.
Saturday morning, I went fishing.
Not as protest.
Not for an audience.
I had been fishing on Saturday mornings for decades.
The lake did not become somebody else’s because Gail put a red border around a letter.
Monday brought another envelope.
This one was heavier.
$500 additional fine.
Total balance: $750.
Then the threat.
Continued noncompliance may result in collection action, including lien proceedings against 1140 Lakeview Lane.
That got my attention.
A warning was annoying.
A fine was ridiculous.
A lien threat was different.
Even a bad lien claim could create expense, delay, legal fees, and problems with title.
That afternoon, I called the HOA management company directly.
The receptionist transferred me twice.
Eventually, I reached a woman named Terry Nolan.
“I’m calling about three violation notices issued to 1140 Lakeview Lane.”
Keyboard sounds.
“What type of violation?”
“Fishing.”
A pause.
“Fishing?”
“On the lake behind my house.”
More typing.
“Yes. I see the file.”
“I’d like to know the legal basis.”
“The violation was issued under board direction.”
“Gail Prescott?”
“Board president, yes.”
“She told me the developer transferred the lake to the HOA.”
Terry did not answer immediately.
“I asked for a copy.”
“I see your note here.”
“Do you have the transfer?”
Another pause.
Longer.
I could hear papers moving.
Then more typing.
“Mr. Anderson, I’m looking at the property file.”
“Okay.”
“I see the subdivision declaration.”
“Okay.”
“The recorded plat.”
“Yes.”
“Common-area schedule.”
“Yes.”
Then:
“I do not see a transfer deed for the lake.”
I stopped moving.
“Check again.”
“I am.”
“What about a recorded easement?”
“No.”
“Amendment?”
“I’m not seeing one.”
“Anything identifying the lake as HOA-owned common property?”
Terry was silent.