Homeowners Get Deliciously Even With Power-Tripping HOA President Via Malicious Compliance

It’s one thing to have a horrible neighbor, and it’s another to have an HOA officer who is intent on making your life a living hell. The latter could be worse because they have more authority and could misuse it to their advantage.

This is exactly what this HOA president did when her attempts to bully a regulation-abiding couple failed miserably. As she became more vindictive and childish, the couple got back at her with some malicious compliance. 

You will find the entire story below, along with some reactions from readers. 

A power-tripping HOA officer could be slightly worse than a horrible neighbor

Older woman speaking with a man outside a house, representing an HOA president involved in a power-trip harassment dispute.

Image credits: Nathan Anderson (not the actual photo)

This couple would likely agree, given their experience with their HOA president

Text excerpt about vindictive HOA president and harassment incident involving couple, highlighting HOA president conflict.

Text excerpt describing a neighbor’s experience babysitting during a dispute involving a power-trip HOA president harassing a couple.

Text passage describing an HOA president harassing neighbors over an illegal renter dispute in a residential community.

Text excerpt about renting rooms violating HOA policy, related to HOA president harassing couple in dispute.

Text excerpt about an elderly mother moving in after a hip injury and needing care at home.

Text excerpt showing a threatening letter from an HOA president accusing a couple of being unlawful renters.

Text passage describing bylaws and photos used by an HOA president in a harassment case involving a couple.

Text excerpt describing HOA president’s power-trip harassment escalating to legal conflict with a couple’s lawyer response.

Text describing a heated HOA president conflict escalating at an association meeting with aggressive back and forth.

Text excerpt describing HOA president's power-trip drama involving a couple and forged documents in a neighborhood dispute.

Couple repainting house after hurricane repairs while dealing with harassment from HOA president’s power trip.

Couple checking HOA bylaws for approved paint colors before painters proceed with chosen neutral shade.

Certified letter from HOA lawyer about house color dispute escalates harassment by HOA president power-trip.

Text excerpt about HOA president conflict and color swatches no longer matching due to manufacturer changes in formula.

Couple harassed by HOA president during power struggle outside their shaded house on a sunny day.

Text excerpt showing HOA bylaws and a dispute involving an HOA president and repainting issues with a couple.

Text excerpt discussing HOA involvement with approved accent colors and neighborhood house colors.

Text excerpt about dog Joan living next to the most garish house option in a neighborhood conflict involving HOA.

Text excerpt describing a painter's choice of pumpkin orange color visible from the next door but not inside.

Text excerpt describing an HOA president’s power-trip and harassment incident involving a couple and neighborhood rules enforcement.

Orange house with white trim under clear sky, symbolizing HOA president power-trip harassment incident in a residential neighborhood.

Image credits: GregorioCayuleo (not the actual photo)

Alt text: HOA president harasses elderly couple over false accusations, escalating conflict with paint dispute causing neighborhood tension.

Image source: anonymus

The relationship between HOAs and homeowners is at its worst

Woman expressing frustration on phone call at home, depicting conflict related to HOA president harassment issues.

Image credits: Getty Images (not the actual photo)

Experts have noted a worsened relationship between the HOA and residents. It’s likely why we’ve been seeing a lot of these stories lately. 

According to a 2022 Gallup poll, only 27% of Americans are confident in institutions and have almost zero trust in figures of authority. 

According to Charlotte real estate attorney James Galvin, that fractured relationship, “mirrors the lack of social trust that exists in society in general.” 

Common points of dispute between the HOA and the homeowner include discrimination, failure to comply with requests, and violations. These also seemed to be the points of contention among Joan, Liz, and Dave. 

Documentation, reviewing governing documents, and seeking legal action (when necessary) are the usual tips HOA lawyers like Manning & Meyers would give. Liz and Dave did all of those. They played by the rules and went through proper legal procedures. 

Unfortunately for them, they were dealing with a vindictive, childish HOA president, and it was becoming a losing battle. Their act of malicious compliance was a way of standing up for themselves without hostility and causing more conflict. If anything, they handled it well.

People in the comments shared similar experiences

Comment describing HOA president harassing renters, highlighting a power-trip and conflict with neighbors in a condo community.

Comment about house hunting and refusal to deal with HOA, expressing frustration with HOA president’s power-trip behavior.

User comment about removing an HOA president over power-trip issues and legal fees in a community association discussion.

Screenshot of a forum comment discussing a failed power-trip by an HOA president harassing a couple online.

Text excerpt from user IntelligentLake discussing color swatches and manufacturer formula changes related to product aging and replacement frequency.

Text post discussing colorful houses and unconventional garden decor in a neighborhood without HOA president power trips.

Comment about a neighbor’s bright pumpkin orange house causing reflections, related to HOA president power-trip harassment.

Screenshot of a user story about a homeowner defying HOA president’s power trip over house paint colors.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing an HOA president and rules about reroofing with shingles versus metal roofs.

Comment discussing involvement in an HOA board to prevent harassment and power trips by HOA president.

Comment about homeowners associations expressing a negative opinion, related to HOA president power-trip harassment issue.

Comment highlighting a chill HOA president contrasted with a failed power-trip HOA president harassing a couple.

Comment from an HOA board member discussing conflicts with power-tripping HOA president and homeowner disputes.

Text post on HOA policies questioning enforceability of rules with phrases unlawful renters and approved colors.

Comment about acquiring HOA paint swatches to match updated colors, related to HOA president power-trip conflict.

Comment on a forum about an HOA president involved in a power-trip harassment and its fallout.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing HOA leadership issues and the challenge of removing a problematic HOA president.

Comment discussing the illegality of taking pictures of an elderly mother through house windows, related to HOA president harassment.

Comment on neighborhood houses discussing unique owners and possible conflicts relating to HOA president power-trip issues.

Comment on HOA president harassing couple, mentioning HOA funds investigation and community conflict.

Screenshot of an online comment praising how the HOA president who couldn’t live with failed power-trip harassment was handled.

Commenter HessSoZazzy discussing confusion over HOA bylaws on color changes and the frustration with swatches changing over time.

Screenshot of a forum post discussing HOA president power-trip and harassment of a couple, sparking community frustration.

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