An Augusta University dean is being sued by his homeowner’s association for renting his home out as an Airbnb and event venue despite multiple warnings it violated the HOA rules.
The complaint was filed July 3 against Gursimran Singh Walia by the Barrington Owners Association Inc. Walia serves as the associate dean of the School of Computer and Cyber Security at AU. According to the complaint, Walia has been using a property he owns in Martinez as an Airbnb rental against the terms of the HOA agreement, which explicitly bans rentals except for the Masters tournament.
Requests for comment to Walia’s attorney were not immediately returned on Tuesday. Previous news reports say Walia was also cited for code violations in relation to the rental, allegations Walia’s attorney called “absurd.” That citation is outstanding.
The lawsuit requests an injunction against using the home at 3526 Lakestone Court as a short-term rental and event venue, which Barrington alleges has caused “excessive vehicle traffic and parking.” The lawsuit also asks for attorney’s fees, along with “other and further relief.”
More:What to expect: Grovetown announces it will begin testing and flushing fire hydrants
More:Stay Social seeks reversal in judge’s ruling that closed the Evans restaurant
As of Tuesday, the property still appears to be available on Airbnb , with a 4.67 star rating and glowing reviews. According to a deed included in the lawsuit, the property was sold to Walia in April for $1.5 million.
The description of the location on Airbnb is slightly different from the copy provided in the lawsuit, where the house is described as a “European Villa” for “getaway, weddings and large events.” That description is time-stamped to March 6. On Tuesday, the description posted online had no mention of events or weddings.
Attached as evidence with the civil complaint are a series of letters, starting with a courtesy letter request for compliance sent Feb. 7 of this year.
“As you know Barrington operates under covenants designed to maintaint the appearance and property values of our subdivisions,” the letter read. “… On February 3, 2023, your property was noncompliant and in need of corrective measures: Event Venue Rental/Airbnb.”
A subsequent letter was sent on Feb. 18, and on March 7 a Cease and Desist letter was sent by Hammad D. Sheikh, attorney for Barrington.
On July 5, Judge James Blanchard Jr. ordered the case to go through a required mediation process. No response has been filed by Walia to the court case, according to online court records.
Credit: Source link