Tennessee Family Threatened with Fines by HOA for Using Generator During Ice Storm
A Tennessee family faced a dilemma when their homeowners’ association threatened them with fines for using a generator to heat their house during a power outage caused by a brutal ice storm in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood of Nashville.
After losing electricity during the storm, Talia Caravello purchased a generator, extension cords, and space heaters to keep her family warm as temperatures dropped to 30 degrees. However, she was informed by the HOA that the generator did not comply with the aesthetic code of her townhouse.
Despite the threat of fines, Caravello decided to keep the generator running to stay at home with her family instead of seeking shelter elsewhere. The HOA management company, Metropolitan Properties, insisted that the generator be removed due to fire hazards and aesthetic concerns.
Amid the blackout, Caravello and her family were left with no choice but to pack their bags and seek warmth at a friend’s house. However, after public backlash, Metropolitan Properties allowed the use of a generator as a one-time exemption until power was restored.
As Nashville Electric Services continues to work on restoring power to over 57,000 customers in the city, the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by residents during severe weather events.
