Please Vote YES on the Rental Amendment – Let’s Protect Our Neighborhood’s Future
Dear Fellow McFarland Farms Homeowners,
We are coming to you as neighbors who, like you, have invested in this community and wants to see McFarland Farms remain the stable, family-friendly community we all chose to call home. Last year the Board proposed an important amendment to our Declaration of Restrictions that would limit rentals to just 5% of homes (21 out of 422). This change includes a grandfather clause for existing long-term rentals, a 2-year “live-in” requirement before any new rental is allowed, and clear rules to prevent short-term rentals like Airbnbs. It also requires written leases, proof that tenants receive our HOA documents, submission of leases to management, and no rentals by delinquent owners — with hardship exceptions for fairness.
Why we are voting YES — and why we hope you will too:
- Protecting our property values and investment. Owner-occupied neighborhoods consistently hold or increase in value more reliably than those with high rental percentages. By keeping the vast majority of homes (95%) owner-occupied, we reduce the risk of transient turnover and other noticeable issues that often come with heavy rental use. This isn’t theory — it’s exactly why so many grandfathered HOAs across Indiana are adopting similar caps.
- Preserving the family-friendly, committed community we love. When most neighbors are invested long-term, kids play together safely, streets stay quieter, and everyone takes greater pride in upkeep. A 2-year live-in rule ensures new owners demonstrate real commitment before renting, while grandfathering current rentals protects those who already rely on rental income.
- Preventing short-term rentals. The amendment explicitly blocks the kind of weekend-party, high-turnover rentals that can disrupt our peaceful streets and create extra wear on common areas.
- Fair and practical rules. Written leases, tenant notification of HOA rules, and lease copies on file make enforcement straightforward and transparent. Delinquent owners can’t rent until they are caught up — only fair to the rest of us who pay our dues on time.
With the new House Bill 1152, we have a firm deadline: all ballots must be returned by May 31, 2026 so the amendment can be recorded by June 30. Missing this window will likely be the end of moving forward with this as any changes in our current restrictions after this law becomes live in July will remove our current grandfathered status with the state. This amendment isn’t about restricting anyone’s rights unfairly — it’s about safeguarding the long-term vibrancy, safety, and value of McFarland Farms for every homeowner and their families. It strikes a thoughtful balance: protecting what we’ve built while respecting those already renting.
Please take a moment today to:
- Print and sign the enclosed Ballot (or the one you received in the mail).
- Check the box for “APPROVES adding new Section 2.E. to the Declaration.”
- Return it to Nicole Kratzner at Mc************@**************nt.com or mail it in the envelope that was in the original mailing by May 31, 2026.
If you have any questions, reach out to a board member or M Group Management — they’re happy to explain the details.
Thank you for caring about our neighborhood’s future. A strong YES vote will help keep McFarland Farms the wonderful place it is for years to come.
Sincerely,
McFarland Farms Board of Directors
Amy O’Gara – MFPOA Homeowner since 2014
Ruth Lantz – MFPOA Homeowner since 2010
Amy Stinson – MFPOA Homeowner since 1991
Toby Bell – MFPOA Homeowner since 1992
Jocelyn Mappes – MFOA Homeowner since 2021