Story Archive

It is Better to Look Good Than to Do Good

After Michael Broadnax suffered a stroke, he was put into a nursing home near his family’s house in Brentwood, Tenn. Then, the family got good news. “The nursing home said they were sending my husband home and I needed a ramp put up,” Charlotte Broadnax said. She immediately contracted to have a ramp installed. Then she got a letter from her homeowners association. “The association demands that within 14 days of the date of this letter, you remove the wheelchair ramp and restore the exterior of your home,” the letter read. “[The Declaration] authorizes the association to come onto your property and remove the ramp and charge you with the work.” The family said they had not been told of any issues with the ramp until they received the letter. “No application for approval had been received,” a statement from the association said. “The board did not know the ramp was for the homeowner, Mr. Broadnax. The association would like to work with the owners on a compromise regarding the appearance and location of the ramp and compliance with any applicable codes.” (MS/WSVM Nashville) ...How’s this for a compromise: a member of the association waits outside the house to carry him up and down the stairs.