19 HOAs That Have Clearly Let The Power Go To Their Heads

by Pelican Press
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19 HOAs That Have Clearly Let The Power Go To Their Heads

For those who don’t know (or don’t live in America), HOAs — or Homeowners Associations — are groups run by homeowners in a community that tend to govern things like funding for communal spaces or enforcing rules about the appearance of the neighborhood. Which is great until the people running the HOA become drunk with power and start making ridiculous rules and restrictions.

1.This homeowner got an email from their HOA about three vewwy scawwy black SUVS in front of their house:

Email about black SUVs at a birthday party, alarming neighbors; mentions questions and concern over unexpected event

2.This homeowner had a lovely little tree until the HOA decided it “looked dead” and cut it down:

Stakes in grass surround a bare patch of soil. A nearby street and houses in the backgroundStakes in grass surround a bare patch of soil. A nearby street and houses in the background

Stakes in grass surround a bare patch of soil. A nearby street and houses in the background

A small tree has fallen over onto a grassy patch next to a sidewalk on a suburban streetA small tree has fallen over onto a grassy patch next to a sidewalk on a suburban street

A small tree has fallen over onto a grassy patch next to a sidewalk on a suburban street

u/Cool-Arachnid-4749 / Via reddit.com

3.This homeowner got a window AC unit to deal with the Texas heat, until their HOA sent them a “friendly reminder” that they’re not allowed:

Image of a printout showing a house exterior with a date stamp of August 6, 2024, and text at the bottom: "August 8, 2024, 1st Notice, Friendly Reminder."Image of a printout showing a house exterior with a date stamp of August 6, 2024, and text at the bottom: "August 8, 2024, 1st Notice, Friendly Reminder."

Guess I’ll just melt into a puddle, then ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

u/jennywenny21 / Via reddit.com

4.This homeowner — who isn’t even in the HOA! — got a letter from the nearby HOA about how unfair it was that they had a gas generator during a power outage:

Image of a letter from Non-HOA members addressing noise complaints about generator use during a power outage. Suggestions for alternatives includedImage of a letter from Non-HOA members addressing noise complaints about generator use during a power outage. Suggestions for alternatives included

5.This homeowner was told by the HOA that they had left their skeleton decoration up for too long. So the homeowner decided to incorporate it into year-round festivities. Here it is dressed up for the Olympics:

Skeleton decor holding cymbals in front of a house with international flags, a "USA" sign, and Olympic rings as part of the decorationsSkeleton decor holding cymbals in front of a house with international flags, a "USA" sign, and Olympic rings as part of the decorations

And here’s ol’ Skelly dressed up for Labor Day:

Skeleton dressed in construction gear holds an American flag outside a gray house with white trim, surrounded by small U.S. flags and plantsSkeleton dressed in construction gear holds an American flag outside a gray house with white trim, surrounded by small U.S. flags and plants

6.This homeowner was told the same thing, so they just made their Halloween decoration into a Christmas decoration:

Skeleton with Santa hat appears to be climbing a house covered in greenery, resembling a humorous holiday decorationSkeleton with Santa hat appears to be climbing a house covered in greenery, resembling a humorous holiday decoration

7.This HOA made sure kids weren’t allowed to play in the grassy common area:

Headline from 8/28/2024: Parents receive cease and desist letters from HOA for children playing in the common area; area to be re-landscaped with treesHeadline from 8/28/2024: Parents receive cease and desist letters from HOA for children playing in the common area; area to be re-landscaped with trees

8.This homeowner, thankfully, is not in an HOA, or else they definitely would’ve gotten an annoying letter about painting their house — gasp! — purple:

Facebook post showing a large house with a three-car garage that's identical in color. Text jokes about the downsides of not having a homeowners associationFacebook post showing a large house with a three-car garage that's identical in color. Text jokes about the downsides of not having a homeowners association

9.This homeowner found a very literal workaround to an HOA rule:

Facebook post by StripMallGuy about creatively following HOA basketball hoop rules using a long ropeFacebook post by StripMallGuy about creatively following HOA basketball hoop rules using a long rope

10.This homeowner received a notice that the HOA’s proposed budget passed even though it was outvoted, because it requires 600 “no” votes to reject it (only 400-ish people voted):

Summary of HOA budget results: Budget passes due to insufficient "no" votes. Approve: 196, Disapprove: 214. Guiding RCW: 64.38.025Summary of HOA budget results: Budget passes due to insufficient "no" votes. Approve: 196, Disapprove: 214. Guiding RCW: 64.38.025

11.This homeowner got not one, but TWO $200 fines for having weeds and/or bushes in their yard:

Statement excerpt showing account balance details and charges for August and September 2024 related to weeds and bushes, with login info noteStatement excerpt showing account balance details and charges for August and September 2024 related to weeds and bushes, with login info note

12.This homeowner now has to pay $50 to their HOA to “register” their pet turtle. And they’d better not even THINK about getting a second turtle to keep it company:

Notice about pet registration requirements, fees, and possible fines. Must submit form with a picture of the pet and vaccination recordsNotice about pet registration requirements, fees, and possible fines. Must submit form with a picture of the pet and vaccination records

13.This homeowner was told to remove their political sign, two months before the election:

Text message states a political sign is in the yard and requests its removal to avoid a violation letter. Sent by a Community ManagerText message states a political sign is in the yard and requests its removal to avoid a violation letter. Sent by a Community Manager

14.This homeowner spotted HOA members looking into a neighbor’s windows:

View through window of a street scene with two people near a car; no identifiable individualsView through window of a street scene with two people near a car; no identifiable individuals

15.This homeowner received a notice about what kinds of garage door windows are allowed. Watch out for the radius of those curves:

Page showing window designs, with examples of allowed and not allowed rounded corners. A red circle highlights a section on permitted curved window designsPage showing window designs, with examples of allowed and not allowed rounded corners. A red circle highlights a section on permitted curved window designs

16.This homeowner was forced by the HOA to remove their tire swing, so they got in the Halloween spirit:

Wooden cross reads "R.I.P. Tire Swing, Killed by H.O.A, Sept 2023." Nearby is an empty swing, indicating it was removed by a homeowners associationWooden cross reads "R.I.P. Tire Swing, Killed by H.O.A, Sept 2023." Nearby is an empty swing, indicating it was removed by a homeowners association

It says “RIP Tire Swing, killed by HOA. Sept 2023 – Oct 2024”

u/Tollinator2000 / Via reddit.com

17.This homeowner was told they needed to make a fence to block the view of the boat in their driveway. So they complied…but painted a mural on the fence:

Driveway gate with a painted image of a docked speedboat, creating a 3D effect as if a real boat is behind it. House and trees visibleDriveway gate with a painted image of a docked speedboat, creating a 3D effect as if a real boat is behind it. House and trees visible

18.This HOA really has a thing against birds:

Document excerpt detailing regulations about birdbaths, birdhouses, carports, clotheslines, compost, and decks with specific conditions and prohibitionsDocument excerpt detailing regulations about birdbaths, birdhouses, carports, clotheslines, compost, and decks with specific conditions and prohibitions

19.And finally, this homeowner decided on a theme for their Halloween decorations this year:

Halloween display with skeletons. One wears a striped suit with a sign: Halloween display with skeletons. One wears a striped suit with a sign:

Do you have an HOA that has done something outlandish? Have you ever gotten “revenge” on an overzealous HOA? Let us know in the comments or using this anonymous form and your story may be featured in a future BuzzFeed Community post!



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