Monday, September 6, 2010

Fined For Having A Clothes Line?

Yes, I get People Magazine. I enjoy reading the stories in there and keeping up to date on the new fashions and such. If you havent ever read it, they have more than just what the "Stars" are up to.

I was flipping through the magazine the other day and saw this article "Dividing Lines". Basically, this story is about a family that decided to "go low-tech." and use less energy by hanging her clothes out on a line in her back yard. I see no problem with this, I do it often in the summer and sometimes in the winter! Here is a little snipit from the article:
                 "Last May her homeowners' association threatened legal action for breaking an HOA rule. Brensinger's husband, Terry, a minister, says they weren't aware of a no-clothesline rule."

                  "Even as more people look for ways to go green or save money, one of the easiest-hanging out the wash the way Grandma used to do-is coming under fire. "You
hear,'Idon't want to look at your underwear' a lot, but dryers use a tremendous abount of energy,' says Alex Lee, founder of Project Laundry List, which supported the recent passage of right-to-dry lawas in five states."

Another family in Oregon has come under fire for hanging their clothes out stating that during the night, their clothes line has been cut in the middle of the night. Twice! That sounds like trespassing and destruction of personal property to me! They were also fined $1000 by their HOA! What!?!? As far as I can tell, the couple who's Line was cut, have a wooded back yard and should't really be seen from the road or anything like that.
 I personally think this is just a stupid rule. But I also live in the country so I can do what I want.

But seriously, fined $1000 for hanging your clothes out to dry? Saving precious energy? Saving huge amounts of money each year? Thats just crazy! These people had no idea that they were breaking a rule.
And the main reason the HOA gives for not alllowing people to hang clothes out? "Many boards hold the view that clotheslines could affect curb appeal and property values". Whatever.

I could go on for days about this. Honestly I read this on Saturday and have been thinking about this for 2 days. I want to know what you think! Do you have a "rule" in your area like this? Do you hang your clothes out? I think I am going to look this law up and see what I can do to support the Right-to-dry laws!

Disclosure: I was in NO WAY compensated to write this post. I did this post of my own free will because I was outraged on how these people were treated by trying to same some money! You can go to People Magazine for the entire article.

6 comments:

  1. It's completely ridiculous to have an issue w/ people hanging their clothes to dry. With all the concern about being green and saving energy I think it's an indefensible position.

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  2. WOW, that's just ridiculous! One of many reasons that we chose to live rather in the middle of nowhere. I could surround my house with clotheslines if I so desired, and there's not a darned thing anyone could say about it. (The only thing keeping me from having a clothesline, in fact, is that my darling husband is just too lazy to put it up. We have all of the makings already.)

    Thanks for sharing...and for hosting my button (June Cleaver), how cool to stumble in here and see it! :) Following you!

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  3. I live in government subsidized housing for the disabled and we are NOT allowed to ever hang clothes outside to dry or to have a clothesline. I think it is awful. They won't allow us to save energy or money because they claim that clotheslines will make it look like the ghetto. Nice message.

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  4. Wow, I am shocked literally. I had no clue that anything like this was going on. We live in the suburbs, dont have an HOA, there are City rules but they are basic things to prevent people from being trashy, lol. (For instance our trash bins cannot sit at the street for days). Love your site!

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  5. I'm not surprised at the silliness of "us". I loved having a clothesline-- since moving 5 years ago, we've not had one. The yard space is very lacking. I encouraged my girls to both have a "clothesline". It's refreshing in more ways than one. It slows us down a bit to "notice" the God gifts in our lives....

    Enjoyed your article and your site!

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  6. it is ridiculous to have that rule...BUT if they signed the contract to abide by the HOA rules, then they need to abide by those rules, get them changed (through proper channels), or move.

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