'I just [got] a bill for over $20,000 in fines': Top HOA Horror Stories of the Week (December 14, 2023)

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Dec 14, 2023 2:00 PM EST

The last thing HOAs seem to do on a daily basis is provide structure and order to a neighborhood. Instead, they are a magnet for that person from high school who would correct the teacher, interrupt people in the classroom, and snitch on everyone without proof or context. This was the kind of person who made more enemies than friends, and as it turns out, they haven't changed in the slightest years down the road. Instead, they have just become more obnoxious and they're an annoying parent now rather than being an annoying child. And of course, they have joined their local HOA. Because bossing your kids around is not enough. People like this have to boss everyone else around too.

These HOA horror stories were compiled from Reddit's r/f***HOA subreddit, a beautiful sanctuary for enraged and grieving residents caught in the evil grasp of their homeowner's associations. Keep scrolling below for these infuriating stories. For more, check out this list of top choosing beggars of the year.

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  • 01
    "HOA president needs to be taken down a notch"
    via Avi Waxman
  • 02
    HOA member called towing service on contractor vehicle. I'm looking for some opinions on my situation. I am having work done on my house and the contractors have been parking on the street. There is no parking close by and they need their vehicle close by for their tools. They have been here off and on for about 3 weeks and yesterday was the final day of work. Within about 20 minutes of them starting, the towing company our HOA has a contract with towed the CLEARLY MARKED work van.
    via u/irondevil518
  • 03
    When my wife called the towing company, they said it was an HOA member who called them to have it towed. When my wife questioned them further, they started screaming at her (which is normal for this company). Anyone yelling at my wife sets me off, and I was furious.
    via u/irondevil518
  • 04
    I sent a message to our HOA president because he's an and I know it was him. Nobody else on the HOA board would care enough to call. And he said "you can have friends parking in front of your house." I said it was a contractor with a clearly marked vehicle and he said "follow the rules and there won't be a problem."
    via u/irondevil518
  • 05
    I don't care being out $200, but the HOA president needs to be taken down a notch. Am I being unreasonable? If I am I will admit it and move on. But if all contractor vehicles are going to be towed because he is following the HOA rules without wiggle room, nobody is going to be able to have work done at their house without the possibility of having it towed.
    via u/irondevil518
  • 06
    NO_SOLVENT 2 days ago Read your covenants. Mine say no parking is allowed except commercial vehicles while a job is being completed. Your President may have overstepped his authority thinking you don't know the rules. 194 Reply Share
    via u/irondevil518
  • 07
    My HOA is thoughts? I live in a condo in Las Vegas, NV and my HOA said that I was going to get fined for driving through the exit gate to get into the community. Since I had never done that I told them that I wasn't going to pay this fine. They said that they had footage and that it was actually a delivery driver that broke the rule. So now they're saying that since this delivery driver delivered to my unit, I must pay a $500 fine for their actions. Is this legal? In what world is this okay?
    via u/Apocalode
  • 08
    NO_SOLVENT 7 days ago Challenge it. Do your research on what your state laws say about fines. Call their bluff.
    via u/Apocalode
  • 09
    Apocalode OP. 7 days ago I just emailed them back today saying that I want to see proof that they delivered to my unit and to show where in the rules this is coming from. If they get money from me it's going to be a long road for both parties.
    via u/Apocalode
  • 10
    Huge HOA Due Bill for 7 years. So here's the background. I was told by my buying agent like literally 8 years back when I bought my house that there is no HOA fee. So I took it for what its worth. Sure enough HOA never sent me any mail saying I owe HOA fee except for 2 years which made casual mention that I need to pay 750$ or so fee for the year.
    via u/TheStockSmith
  • 11
    8 years later however I receive a mail detailing I have 8 years of HOA dues plus hefty interest plus hefty accumulated late fees (total 11k) and that if I dont pay they will attach a lien to my property. I have never received any follow up mails saying interest and late fees were accruing or that otherwise my HOA is due.
    via u/TheStockSmith
  • 12
    I know I cannot fight off the actual dues, but do I have a case against them for charging me interest (its literally 7.5%!)? Also what would happen if they attach a lien to my property before I settle the dues? I believe I can settle them pretty fast, but want to understand the scenario.
    via u/TheStockSmith
  • 13
    Over the past 10 years I have been current with all forms of bills from Utilities, Mortgage to Medical and IRS/Tax. So this situation stumps me as much as it would stump you!
    via u/TheStockSmith
  • 14
    NullGWard 4 days ago First, check the statute of limitations for debts and for breach of written contracts in your state. Don't pay--even partially- -until after you figure things out legally. Partially paying an uncollectable debt may, in some cases, revive the debt. 208 Reply Share
    via u/TheStockSmith
  • 15
    20K in HOA Fines My HOA has been charging me a fine of 50 dollars per day for a dog I don't have. I got an attorney to write a letter on my behalf last March, and they didn't drop it. I just for a bill for over 20,000 in fines. They are accusing me of having a pit bull, when I have a pug and a chihuahua mix. I have never gotten along with the board members- a bunch of prestigious who peaked in a starter home neighborhood. They are doing whatever they can to get me to move, but that's not in my b
    via u/Complete_Ad_9943
  • 16
    Starrion 16 hr. ago You need to go back to the Attorney ASAP. When fees get that high they can foreclose on your house. You may need to file suit against them in order to get a judgement to force them to rescind the fines. Now is the time to act before they try to take your home. 135 Reply Share
    via u/Complete_Ad_9943
  • 17
    Chicago6065722 · 16 hr. ago Ask if you can do an alternate dispute resolution... that might force them to explain the fines Then ask for a hearing... Next ask for pictures for proof that you had said dog and where they have the ability to charge $50 A day See if there is an ombudsman program Go talk to another lawyer; you shouldn't need a retainer just a good letter And threaten them with a Federal lawsuit for improper debt collection if they try to mess with you
    via u/Complete_Ad_9943
  • 18
    Want to take my HOA to small claims court, should I? I live in a condo complex in NY. Basically, there is a gate operated by a guard that lets cars in and out. Almost two months ago now, when I was coming home from work, the guard hit my car with the gate, causing approx. 1600 dollars worth of damage to my car. I reported everything to the security company, property management, and HOA right away, thinking they would make the claim.
    via u/Bubbly-Pattern-5281
  • 19
    I get a call from the administrative assistant of the HOA the next day, who very rudely, says essentially that the entire thing is my fault and they will assume no liability. The guard routinely waves people through, multiple at a time, during rush hour, which is what he did that day. Even though there is a stop sign, cars just follow his direction so that day was no different. She said it is my fault and I broke the law by not stopping at the stop sign and "piggybacking" through the gate. She t
    via u/Bubbly-Pattern-5281
  • 20
    Anyway, I spoke to a lawyer who disagreed with her and believes I have a case. He said if there are no signs posted about a rule being to stop and let the gate close between each car (there isn't), I would have no reason to ignore the guard. I have photo and video of him routinely waving multiple cars through without closing the gate.
    via u/Bubbly-Pattern-5281
  • 21
    I sent a demands letter to the HOA and security company as per my lawyers advice. Included my estimate. Received a letter back from the "HOA" today. Essentially says again than it's my fault, they won't assume liability at all. Refuse to file a claim or let me see the video. Meanwhile, all of the back and forth is through the admin assistant. She won't put me in touch with anyone on the board and the language in the letter states that she wrote it instead of the board which is infuriating.
    via u/Bubbly-Pattern-5281
  • 22
    Should I take them to court? She also said one of the reasons she doesn't want to file a claim is because "then everyone's insurance would go up" Um?? Isn't that why I PAY INTO it? To be covered in situations like this? I can't stand them and want to make them pay but don't want to be retaliated against. Any thoughts? Any lawyers here with more nuanced advice? Anything is helpful!!
    via u/Bubbly-Pattern-5281
  • 23
    wildfyre0106 days ago My dude this is why you have car insurance. File a claim with your insurance and let -them- go after the HOA. Why are you trying to do it yourself?
    via u/Bubbly-Pattern-5281
  • 24
    Bubbly-Pattern-5281 OP. 6 days ago The lawyer told me explicitly not to do that. Not only could it make my premium go up, but I would have to pay the deductible with a chance of it not getting reimbursed at all. The HOA insurance claim should have been filed the day it happened, regardless of if they think I'm at fault or not because an accident happened on their property, which is literally why they have insurance (that I also pay into). Filing with my car insurance could have negative conseque
    via u/Bubbly-Pattern-5281
  • 25
    WattsBenJazzy. 6 days ago Also it is the duty of the HOA and the Security company to put their respective insurance companies on notice of a possible claim. Failure to do so can damage their position and credibility in the claims process. You can file suit, but also file a complaint with the BBB and the Department of Insurance.
    via u/Bubbly-Pattern-5281

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