# How would you deal with the HOA moving/changing parking lines that you own? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 16, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761 "2025-12-16T18:52:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/61 "2025-12-22T21:32:03Z")
> [@Edward\_The\_Head](#): > > I did notice that there are faint, blue lines, where the old lines should go. Take pictures of these while they are still visible! ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/62 "2025-12-22T21:56:36Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Take pictures of these while they are still visible! I already have. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/63 "2025-12-22T23:28:06Z")
So you haven’t been able to contact anyone from the homeowners’ association? ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/64 "2025-12-22T23:30:30Z")
I have a question. What’s a plat? ---
**Author:** ![vbob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vbob/32/4439_2.png) [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/65 "2025-12-22T23:33:00Z")
> [@Edward\_The\_Head](#): > > There is a larger area plat, but the scale is much smaller so I can’t see how that would be better than what I have now. Though the meets and bounds are exactly the same. The plat [or portion] you shared with us has SOME of the boundaries dimensioned, but not all - as such, it is not formally considered a [‘metes and bounds’](https://www.nv5.com/news/what-is-a-metes-and-bounds-property-description/) description of the property you own. Not trying to be hopelessly pedantic [though this IS the Straight Dope, after all] but the legal formality of the description may become relevant if the HOA is not forthcoming or coöperative… [https://www.nv5.com/news/what-is-a-metes-and-bounds-property-description/](https://www.nv5.com/news/what-is-a-metes-and-bounds-property-description/) ---
**Author:** ![vbob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vbob/32/4439_2.png) [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/66 "2025-12-22T23:44:14Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I have a question. What’s a plat? A parcel of undeveloped land can be subdivided, or ‘platted’, for house lots with streets, etc - the result on the ground is often called a new plat. Most jurisdictions require the recording of a descriptive document of the subdivided land in the local deed office - so one files a map of a plat prepared by a surveyor. “The map is not the territory” but the map of a plat is a plat map… usually just called a plat, and one deduces from context whether someone is referring to the land itself, or the drawing. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/67 "2025-12-23T00:12:01Z")
Oh. I’ve never heard of that before. I think we just call them subdivisions here. Or plots. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/68 "2025-12-23T01:16:05Z")
The dirt on the ground and any stakes defining corners is a subdivision or a plot of land. The paperwork describing all that is a “plat” and is found at the county recorder’s office. Ideally they match up. Often they don’t. Hence the current controversy. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/69 "2025-12-23T02:45:13Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I think we just call them subdivisions here. Or plots. I was right. [Plat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plat) seems to be uniquely US, while in New Zealand where I grew up they’re called [Sections](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_lot), and in Australia where I live now they’re parcels, plots, or subdivisions. This applies to both the physical space and the marked out map. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/70 "2025-12-23T02:58:05Z")
I apologize. I had forgotten you were from Oz. I should have explicitly stated that my terminology and explanation was US-centric. I explicitly try to not be that clueless “everyone is USAian like me” guy. Sometimes I fail. You, and your countrymen, deserve better. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/71 "2025-12-23T04:58:07Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > parcels, plots, or subdivision In the part of America where i live, they are also called parcels, plots, or subdivisions. It’s possible the legal term is plat, i dunno. But I’ve never seen the words before this thread. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/72 "2025-12-23T05:01:20Z")
Reading the link, the “plat” send to be just a name for the map, not for the land. I think I’ve seen all of “land maps, tax maps, real estate maps, landowner maps, lot and block survey system and land survey maps.” ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/73 "2025-12-23T18:55:39Z")
Well, the man who was in charge at the Management company finally called today and said it was a mistake. The paving company is closed through the new year so it will not be done until next year. But at least someone finally responded. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/74 "2025-12-23T18:58:36Z")
It sounds like they agree there was an error and it will be remedied soon. Great news! ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/75 "2025-12-23T20:35:19Z")
> [@Edward\_The\_Head](#): > > Well, the man who was in charge at the Management company finally called today and said it was a mistake. That’s great. I tend to be anal/paranoid about such things, but I would probably fire off an email documenting the phone call, and saying you look forward to the mistake being corrected early in the new year. Address the person who called you, and cc: everyone else you contacted. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/76 "2025-12-24T17:07:28Z")
> [@Edward\_The\_Head](#): > > Well, the man who was in charge at the Management company finally called today and said it was a mistake. The paving company is closed through the new year so it will not be done until next year. But at least someone finally responded. Document the admission, and on January 2, crank up the heat, lest they forget. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/77 "2025-12-24T17:14:59Z")
> [@Edward\_The\_Head](#): > > Well, the man who was in charge at the Management company finally called today and said it was a mistake. I hope the mistake wasn’t that they forgot to bill you the $5k special assessment for costs associated with 2025’s Parking Rearrangement. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/78 "2025-12-24T17:22:21Z")
> [@ricepad](#): > > Document the admission, and on January 2, crank up the heat, lest they forget. Oh FFS. They admitted fault and said they were going to fix it. There is no call to be a fucking prick at this point. It was a simple mistake on the part of a third party. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/79 "2025-12-24T17:25:34Z")
And Friday, January 2 might be a little early to bug them, given that’s still part of the holiday break. At least give them until the work week starting on Monday, January 5 to get back to the issue. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761/80 "2025-12-24T17:42:07Z")
Agree. Chill is more effective than pique. Now. The only big deal here is the problem happened around Thanksgiving, and half the USA is shut down from then until about Jan 10. Lots and lots of people are at work, but remarkably little actual work gets done. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-deal-with-the-hoa-moving-changing-parking-lines-that-you-own/1025761.md?page=5)