One hoa horror story could be about a family who wanted to paint their front door a different color. The HOA said it violated the 'uniform aesthetic' rule and fined them constantly. They even threatened legal action if the door wasn't repainted to the original color.
One common HOA horror story is strict and seemingly arbitrary rules. For example, some HOAs have rules about the color you can paint your house that are very limited. Homeowners might be forced to use a particular shade that they don't like. Another is overzealous enforcement. I heard of an HOA fining a homeowner for having a small flower pot on the porch that they deemed 'untidy' when it was actually a nice addition to the home's appearance. Also, there are issues with high fees for little in return. Some HOAs charge a lot but don't maintain the common areas well.
Homeowners can protect themselves by thoroughly reading the HOA rules before buying a property. Know exactly what you're getting into. Also, get involved in the HOA board or at least attend meetings regularly. This way you can have a say in decisions and stay informed. Another way is to keep records of all interactions with the HOA, like emails and letters. If there's a dispute, you have evidence.
One hoa horror story could be about a family who wanted to paint their front door a different color. The HOA strictly prohibited it, threatening huge fines. They said it didn't match the 'uniform aesthetic' of the neighborhood. The family felt their freedom was being restricted and they were constantly harassed by the HOA over this small matter.
One 'no hoa horror story' could be about a neighbor constantly having loud parties late at night with no regulations to stop them. Since there's no HOA, there's no one to enforce noise restrictions, and it becomes a nightmare for those trying to sleep or have a peaceful home environment.
One latest HOA horror story is about a family being fined for having a vegetable garden in their front yard. The HOA claimed it violated the 'aesthetic code', but the family just wanted to grow some fresh food. It's really unfair as they were trying to be sustainable.
One horror story is about a homeowner in Florida who was fined by the HOA for having the wrong color mailbox. The HOA had strict rules about the appearance of mailboxes, and this homeowner didn't know about the new rule. They were slapped with a hefty fine that they thought was completely unreasonable.
Well, there's a hoa who was so excited to go on a roller coaster. But as soon as the ride started, he screamed so loudly that the people in the front rows could hear him over the roar of the coaster. And he kept yelling 'I want to get off!' all the way through the ride.
Sure. In one case, the HOA management hired an inexperienced firm to do the reserve study. The firm didn't properly assess the condition of the roads in the community. They underestimated the need for resurfacing. A few years later, the roads were in a terrible state, full of potholes. The cost to repair them was much higher than what the reserve had allocated, all because of the mismanagement in choosing the wrong firm for the reserve study.
A common one is overzealous enforcement of landscaping rules. For example, if your grass is a little too long during a busy week when you couldn't mow, the HOA might fine you without any leniency. Another is restrictions on home improvements. Even a small addition like a new porch railing that doesn't match the 'approved style' can lead to a big headache.