Phoenix renter gets stuck with a fee for a neighbor’s parking violation, exposing the joys of HOA bureaucracy and a landlord who treats fairness like an optional extra: ‘We were charged nearly $200, I’ve called the landlord at least 5x at this point’

There's a special kind of absurdity reserved for the rental world, where tenants are held responsible for everything from the neighbor's weeds to the migratory patterns of stray vehicles. In this universe, logic is a rare guest, and accountability is always out to lunch. Landlords and HOAs form a perfect storm of bureaucracy, each one eager to pass the buck, charge a fee, and remind everyone that rules exist solely to be enforced at the tenant's expense. The system thrives on paperwork, photos of random infractions, and the unspoken rule that the smallest inconvenience can always be monetized.

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Author image for Etai Eshet Etai Eshet
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  • Landlord Charging us for someone else’s parked car

    "I've called the landlord at least 5x at this point, they just tell me they can't do anything"
    via fizkes

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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  • This is the magic of modern renting. The thrill of being charged for things you never did, the joy of arguing with someone who has never seen your face, and the endless parade of administrative fees that seem to materialize out of thin air. The HOA’s job is to keep the neighborhood looking pristine, even if that means fining the wrong people for someone else’s car. The landlord’s job is to collect rent and recite policy, occasionally tossing in a helpful suggestion to go knock on a stranger’s door and sort it out yourself. The tenant’s job is to pay up, keep quiet, and accept the fact that fairness is just another item missing from the lease

  • This has been incredibly frustrating to deal with. We rent a house in Phoenix, AZ in an HOA community.
    via Lumpy-Action3407
  • Our neighbor parks their car on the street, which violates the HOA bylaws. We received an HOA violation
    via Lumpy-Action3407
  • Cheezburger Image 10525280768
    via KamiPhotos

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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  • with a photo of the vehicle, which doesn't belong to either person on the lease.
    via Lumpy-Action3407
  • We were charged nearly $200, which ended up being removed. However, our lease does mention a $35
    via Lumpy-Action3407
  • LANDLORD-TENANT LAW
    via shisuka

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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  • admin fee for HOA violations. The landlord refuses to remove the $35
    via Lumpy-Action3407
  • admin fee, despite knowing that the vehicle does not belong to us.
    via Lumpy-Action3407
  • It is only $35, but at the end of the day, it really doesn't sit well with me that I'm
    via Lumpy-Action3407
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  • being charged for someone else's violation. My car is always parked in the garage.
    via Lumpy-Action3407
  • Any advice on how to deal with this? I've called the landlord at least 5x at this point, and they just tell me they can't do anything. They
    via Lumpy-Action3407
  • recommended knocking on the neighbor's door and asking them to move their car in the future.
    via Lumpy-Action3407
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  • G-T-R-F-R-E-A-K-1-7 - Don't pay it doing so will set a president. Currently battling something similar when I moved from one room to another in a share house and the real estate is trying to say I broke my lease and need to pay a weeks rent to cover the inspections etc.
    via G-T-R-F-R-E--K-1-7
  • Repulsive_Disaster76 I would tell them to tow the car if they see it. As for the fee, I wouldn't pay it. Afterwards when they bring it forward later. I'd ask what it
    via Repulsive_Disaster76
  • pertains to in violations and let them run around for hopefully days trying to remember because there is not violation data for you.
    via Repulsive_Disaster76
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  • typer84C2 I would focus on the lease language. If it says a 35 dollar fee is applied for any HOA violations then they should be required to present to you a
    via typer84C2
  • valid HOA violation. If it was done in error and removed like in this case then that doesn't meet the threshold of a HOA violation in my mind.
    via typer84C2

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hoa neighbors neighborhood neighborhood-drama bad neighbors petty revenge terrible neighbors pay back noise noisy loud payback parking entitled people apartment
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