Hello,

I'm in an HOA in Virginia. A group of 8 residents have been lumped into a HOA were we get dissimilar amenities. The main HOA section is a gated community with a private road, several common areas (mailboxes, visitor parking lots, entrance) they landscape behind the gates. The 8 of us live on a public road not behind the gates and have our own mailboxes and driveways not attached to the gated area. Basically we get nothing from our monthly dues. We have asked for an amendment to reduce our dues and exclude us from special assessments (as the only major thing they have to pay for is their roads and gates) but the board is being hostile to our effort. Even go so far as telling us we can't use the same signature collection method that they used when the board wanted to kick out AB&B's 18 months ago. Anyone ever been in that situation or have a suggestion where we can turn to seek help before we just drop a lawyer on them. Obviously we've been trying to work it out with them.