Photos and Stories That Show Why HOAs Are Every Person’s Nightmare

This article was originally published on parentinfluence.com

Homeowners Associations are meant to keep the neighborhood looking nice and neat so that property values remain high, and, in theory, it should work. What ends up happening, though, is the people in charge go on a neighborhood power trip, wielding their bylaws over the heads of every single household. The homeowners below have either found a funny way around the bylaws or are just tired of hearing their HOA complain about things that aren’t that serious. Let’s see exactly what people across America think of their HOAs and what they’ve done to solve the “problems” they’ve been told they have and a few mind-boggling power trips that exemplify why HOAs are so abhorred.

You Want Greenery? I’ll Give You Greenery!

This person had a grubby tree dying in their front yard and got fined by their HOA. Tree removal costs a pretty penny, but a can of spray paint is less than $10. You can get your very own can of Krylon Farm Implement spray from Walmart and even match the seasons with a yellow or orange.

Honestly, I’m not sure how long this will work, but the HOA can’t say the tree isn’t looking lush and ready to go! Of course, a quick chainsaw swipe and it’s all taken care of, but I’m sure they fine for stumps, too, so what’s the point? This is an excellent solution if it lasts more than a month.

‘Tis the Season!

This homeowner was told they had to take their Halloween decorations down in mid-November. It wouldn’t have been any harder to remove the skeleton than to add the hat, but where’s the fun in that? It had to feel supremely satisfying to get one over on the HOA by turning it into a Christmas decoration.

On the one hand, I get what the HOA was trying to accomplish. They want a uniform neighborhood with brainwashed houses that all tick each and every box of perfection, but life is so much better when communities have colorful personalities. We have gargoyles by our mailbox year round. People have knocked on our door and told us they love them.

Keeping It Sharp

This homeowner was fined for the stump in their yard, so they turned it into a giant pencil. It’s actually pretty epic, though I’m sure there is some silly law against yard art that doesn’t match the seasonal theme or whatever. Still, they did a great job of making it look exactly like a #2 pencil.

I wonder if that yellow is called “pencil yellow”? Come to think of it, can you imagine how much paint is used by the pencil industry? It turns out that the yellow on a pencil came about in the late 1800s and was meant to signify a high-quality pencil produced with superior Chinese graphite. Yellow represents royalty and respect. You learn something new every day!

You MUST Decorate for Christmas

Always read the fine print when you buy a house. This neighborhood HOA requires that everyone decorate their yards for the holidays. Not only that, but it has to be elaborate! I’d say this homeowner knocked it out of the park. I doubt they’ll be forced to participate next year.

When the Grinch has an evil grin and is throwing his middle finger in the air at everyone who drives past, it’s pretty apparent the HOA was better off leaving well enough alone. Still, they can’t fault them because they definitely participated. I bet someone is clutching their pearls and calling their friends.