Community of Oaks on Montfort Facebook Group

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$3,820 raised of 20K

Community of Oaks on Montfort Facebook Group

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Help Us Fight Back Against HOA Overreach and Predatory Tactics – Join the Movement for Homeowner Rights

Friends, Family, Community, Fellow Homeowners, and Advocates Across the Nation,

We’re reaching out with this critical update to our campaign as we continue our legal battle against the Oaks on Montfort Condominium Association, managed by Veracity Inc. in Plano, TX. Veracity manages numerous communities throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area, many of which are 30-40-year-old complexes with one- or two-bedroom units that primarily house first-time buyers and elderly homeowners—vulnerable groups often hit hardest by aggressive HOA practices. We’ve raised $3,200 toward our original $10,000 goal, but with escalating costs from prolonged disputes, expert reviews of bylaws, and the need to challenge systemic issues, we’re increasing our target to $20,000. Your support can help us not only defend ourselves but also shed light on predatory tactics plaguing HOAs everywhere.

 Background on the Dispute:

On June 27, 2024, (case: DC-24-18727) we received a letter from the Association’s attorneys outlining baseless allegations against us, Veronica and Garrett D. Bailey. These include claims of refusing access for plumbing repairs, creating unauthorized social media pages, and posting defamatory statements. As we’ve investigated further with legal guidance, it’s apparent that these accusations stem from questionable HOA bylaws that may not be enforceable, echoing common problems in older DFW communities managed by firms like Veracity.

  • Plumbing Leak Dispute: 

The Association accused us of denying access to our unit for repairs related to a leak reported on June 19, 2024—but the leak actually originated in January 2024. We’ve always been willing to coordinate and involved our insurer, USAA, but the HOA refused cooperation and demanded immediate payment to their preferred plumber. This unilateral approach disregards standard procedures and has fueled unnecessary harassment. In reality, this was exploited as an avenue to derail the sale of our condo and attempt to seize control of our Facebook group.

  • Social Media and Community Engagement: 

In 2020, during the pandemic, the Board of Directors unilaterally updated the maintenance responsibility chart, shifting big-ticket items such as windows, foundation, and plumbing to individual homeowners without any proper notification or vote by the homeowners. This set the stage for further overreach, and in 2023, Veracity Inc. began requiring homeowners to replace their 40-year-old windows with just a 60-day notice or face violations. Like many condo-style communities, the interior is the homeowner’s responsibility, while the exterior falls under the HOA—but this policy shifted undue burden onto residents already paying $500 monthly dues, making the added expense unacceptable. To organize the community and champion for change, we created a Facebook group over a year ago and updated the Google Business Profile to foster resident connections and advocate for fair policies. We had no ill intent and weren’t notified of any issues until now. Such efforts to promote transparency are often stifled by HOAs, where bylaws on community advocacy can be overly vague or legally shaky, as protected by free speech rights in many cases.

  • Alleged Defamation and Intimidation: 

The Association claims we’ve threatened vendors and Board members, which we vehemently deny. Our goal has been fair, transparent management. This tactic is part of a larger pattern where HOAs weaponize defamation claims to silence critics, sometimes through bylaw revisions that consolidate power.

  • The Broader Context: 

Exposing Predatory HOA Tactics in DFW: This isn’t an isolated incident. Veracity Inc. oversees many similar communities in the DFW region, where boards are often dominated by self-employed “legacy” members who’ve held positions for 10+ years. These boards can be highly selective about who runs for election, limiting fresh voices and perpetuating control. Just look up Veracity’s Google reviews or search for complaints—you’ll find a mix of experiences, but recurring themes of mismanagement, fraudulent fees, harassment, and fiduciary negligence in older complexes like ours. For instance, reports from other homeowners detail depleting reserves, shoddy contractor work, and using legal threats to protect insiders, leaving first-time and elderly residents burdened with escalating costs and stress. We’ve seen similar cases in places like Oak Creek Condominiums in Arlington, TX, where corruption allegations include board members covering for management abuses. By supporting our fight, we have a real opportunity to highlight these predatory tactics that exploit vulnerable homeowners, pushing for accountability and reform in HOAs nationwide.

 Since this incident occurred, the HOA has laterally enacted new social media policies, executed on July 25, 2024, seemingly designed to prevent homeowners from speaking out or writing reviews—after we refused their demands, they unilaterally drafted these rules to intimidate and silence future homeowners. These policies prohibit owners and residents from using the Association’s name in communications, distributing materials, or communicating in ways that could imply official affiliation. They also restrict interactions that might “interfere” with management duties and ban the use of the Association’s name on websites, social media, or other platforms to suggest sponsorship or affiliation. This appears to be a direct response to curb transparency and dissent, further illustrating how such rules can silence residents and protect entrenched interests.

Why This Fight Matters – And Why We Need Your Help Now:

This ordeal emerged right as we contracted to sell our condo in 2024, with a planned closing on July 15th of that year—exactly one year ago today. The Association’s actions seem aimed at derailing the sale, rooted in their ongoing harassment that drove us to list the property. Despite the time elapsed—now into 2025—the conflict drags on without resolution. Our Facebook group, untouched for over a year, only became an issue when it fit their narrative. Compounding the challenge, our son was born shortly after this began, and balancing parenthood with this legal strain is exhausting. We have already depleted $25,000 (including the $3,200 raised so far) to covering legal fees and related expenses in this battle. The Association demands $1,878.50 (half their claimed costs) plus a non-disparagement agreement that would silence us. Refusal risks lawsuits and piled-on fees. With rising expenses for legal defense, bylaw veracity checks against state laws (revealing often-unenforceable rules), and broader advocacy, we need $20,000 to push forward.

This is more than our personal story—it’s a call to action against HOA abuses that affect thousands, from unreasonable fines to overreaching bylaws in aging communities. Your involvement helps challenge a broken system prioritizing board power over resident rights.

 How You Can Help:

Donate: Every dollar counts toward our legal fund. We’ve hit $3,200—let’s reach $20,000 and beyond!

Share Widely: Post on social media, homeowner forums, Reddit threads, and anti-HOA groups. Tag advocates, share in DFW networks, and amplify to reach those facing similar struggles. Your solidarity has been invaluable, and together, we can expose these issues and drive change. Thank you for standing with us.

With deepest gratitude,

Veronica and Garrett

    Organizer

    Garrett Bailey
    Organizer
    Dallas, TX

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