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Family Endures Months Of Harassment From HOA, Finally Ends It With Top Class Act Of Revenge
Young man with glasses and beard looking thoughtful while researching HOA president secrets at home.
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Family Endures Months Of Harassment From HOA, Finally Ends It With Top Class Act Of Revenge

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Buying a home is a pretty big deal. But it can come with its fair share of ups and downs. Sometimes you don’t know what you’re getting until well after you move in. And we aren’t talking about structural defects, damp walls or leaking roofs…

A guy has shared how he endured a months-long nightmare at the hands of his Home Owners Association president. He says he was slapped with fine after fine, often for totally ridiculous and made-up transgressions. Things like “violating curfew” or “disobeying the night watchman.” After one too many run-ins with the HOA, the man decided to do some digging. What he discovered next had him marching straight to court.

RELATED:

    Buying and renovating a house is stressful enough without the added drama of an unhinged HOA president

    Man leaning on a cardboard box, looking thoughtful, representing a man done with stalkerish HOA president issues.

    Image credits: Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels (not the actual photo)

    When his HOA “sheriff” pushed him too far, this guy hightailed it to court – and won

    Man confronting stalkerish HOA president, uncovering secrets, and winning in court over homeowners association disputes.

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    Man frustrated with stalkerish HOA president uncovers secrets and takes legal action in court to resolve dispute.

    Text describing a man confronting a stalkerish HOA president after moving into his new house.

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    Man confronts stalkerish HOA president, uncovers secrets, and wins legal battle to hold him accountable in court.

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    A suburban neighborhood of houses representing a community with an HOA president involved in a court case.

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    Man confronting stalkerish HOA president outside house with police light on car in intense neighborhood dispute.

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    Man receiving an official HOA warning letter for alleged rule violations from a stalkerish HOA president.

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    Text excerpt describing a confrontation with a stalkerish HOA president and tension over a safety hazard dispute.

    Man confronting stalkerish HOA president, uncovering secrets, and winning a court case against unfair fines and harassment.

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    Man decides to protest HOA fine after discovering meeting dates and stalkerish HOA president’s secrets.

    Man confronting stalkerish HOA President, uncovering secrets and winning court case against HOA leadership.

    Man frustrated with stalkerish HOA president, uncovering secrets and seeking justice in court after protest dismissed.

    Man fed up with stalkerish HOA president uncovers secrets and takes legal action in court to make him pay.

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    Alt text: Man confronts stalkerish HOA president, uncovers secrets, and takes legal action in court for justice.

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    Handwritten letter from stalkerish HOA president and Vice President demanding a talk about incident involving trespassing and threats.

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    Man reads letter revealing HOA president’s fines, hits breaking point with stalkerish behavior and takes action at court.

    Man researching HOA laws and regulations on fines to confront stalkerish HOA president and prepare for court battle.

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    Man confronts stalkerish HOA president, uncovers secrets, and takes legal action with community support in court battle.

    Man confronting stalkerish HOA president, uncovering secrets, and winning court case over fines and penalties.

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    Man confronting stalkerish HOA president, uncovering his secrets, and taking legal action in court.

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    Man confronting stalkerish HOA president, uncovering secrets and taking action in court over neighborhood disputes.

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    Man confronts stalkerish HOA president, uncovers secrets, and wins court case against him.

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    Court orders HOA president to pay $23,000 in damages after man exposes stalking and wins legal case.

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    “What’s the real purpose of a HOA?”: some netizens were left with many questions

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    How to fight your Home Owners Association, according to the pros

    Aerial view of suburban neighborhood cul-de-sac illustrating HOA community setting for HOA president conflict.

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    If you’re lucky, you’ll get to buy a house, move in and live happily ever after. But often, that’s not the case. Especially if you have a Home Owners Association (HOA) that’s intent of making your life a living hell.

    For those who are unfamiliar, a HOA is a sort of like a small government that runs a condominium building or neighborhood. “It has an elected board of directors who create and enforce rules for the homeowners who live there,” explains lawinfo.com.

    Property owners typically pay HOA a monthly fee. This money is supposed to go towards the upkeep of communal areas, building insurance, general maintenance, safety and other expenses. The HOA board also has a list of rules and regulations that homeowners, or residents, must adhere to. And as we’ve seen time and again, many HOAs love to hand out fines.

    “Generally, the rules and regulations are intended to promote safety, cleanliness, and fairness in the housing complex. Proponents argue that this protects high home values,” notes the legal site, adding that the HOA rules cannot conflict with local, state, and federal laws.

    According to legal experts, the most common HOA disputes include disagreements over landscaping, pet restrictions, parking rules, noise complaints, and property maintenance issues. Sometimes, you’ll receive a fine (or a few) that you don’t believe is justified. Most of the law firm sites we visited shared the same advice…

    The first step is to review your HOA’s CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions). “You may find that the board overstepped or skipped the required steps to issue the fine,” explains Dessaules Law Group.

    The site adds that you should always respond to your HOA in writing and preserve your right to appeal. “Ask who reported the violation and when,” advise the experts. “Follow all timelines carefully.”

    The next step is to gather documents, take photos, and collect statements from neighbors. If the “violation” has existed for years—or others have the same issue without being fined—this will work in your favor, notes the Dessaules team.

    You should be able to request a hearing to formally appeal the decision. The legal experts say it’s important to be concise, respectful, and focused at this hearing. If necessary, speak to a lawyer beforehand.

    You could consider mediation. “This involves a neutral third party who facilitates discussions between the homeowner and the board to reach a mutually agreeable solution. Many HOAs have a mandatory mediation process outlined in their governing documents,” notes Manning & Meyers Attorneys At Law.

    If mediation doesn’t work or isn’t available, arbitration may be the next step. “This involves a neutral third party (arbitrator) who hears both sides of the dispute and makes a binding decision,” the firm explains.

    Your last resort, if all else fails, would be going the court route. But be warned that this can be time-consuming and costly.

    There was a round of applause for the home owner’s act of pro revenge

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    Robyn Smith

    Robyn Smith

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    Robyn is an award-winning journalist who has produced work for several international media outlets. Made in Africa and exported to the world, she is obsessed with travel and the allure of new places. A lover of words and visuals, Robyn is part of the Bored Panda writing team. This Panda has two bamboo tattoos: A map of Africa & the words "Be Like The Bamboo... Bend Never Break."

    Read less »
    Robyn Smith

    Robyn Smith

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Robyn is an award-winning journalist who has produced work for several international media outlets. Made in Africa and exported to the world, she is obsessed with travel and the allure of new places. A lover of words and visuals, Robyn is part of the Bored Panda writing team. This Panda has two bamboo tattoos: A map of Africa & the words "Be Like The Bamboo... Bend Never Break."

    Jonas Žvilius

    Jonas Žvilius

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    In my spare time, I enjoy creating art - both in traditional and digital form, mainly in the form of painting and animation. Other interests include gaming and music. Favorite bands include Swans, The Strokes, The Beatles.

    Read less »

    Jonas Žvilius

    Jonas Žvilius

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    In my spare time, I enjoy creating art - both in traditional and digital form, mainly in the form of painting and animation. Other interests include gaming and music. Favorite bands include Swans, The Strokes, The Beatles.

    What do you think ?
    Rick Murray
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a person from the other side of the ocean, I find the entire concept of HOAs to be weird. It's like they're doing the work of the town council, making up their own set of rules, and - the best bit - fining people for breaking these rules. What?

    Bergman Oswell
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When an HOA exists for a long enough time, it begins to become embedded in local governments. The UK equivalent of an HOA, with hundreds of years of time added, is known as a Local Council. Go look up how Local Councils got their start vs actual government councils, and you won't feel so safe from HOAs anymore.

    Load More Replies...
    Brian Droste
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love reading about HOAS being taken down.

    KatSaidThat
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same, same. I don't even live USA and hate HOA.

    Load More Replies...
    Onan Hag All
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why the fu.ck do Yanks tolerate this HOA bull.s**t? It doesn't happen out here in civilisation.

    Angie May
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most of us don't. There are far fewer HOAs in practice than articles like this might make you think. I know you're just commenting like this to s**t on America but I figured I'd reply for anyone not being a d**k who might not know these aren't really super prevalent (only about 30% of citizens here live under an HOA).

    Load More Replies...
    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Home owners associations are to nice neighborhoods what organized religion is to spirituality.

    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Our HOA wound up being fake too - the very LAST thing we expected when we took them on. Seems mom and son had just decided that a nice way to make a living was to charge the neighbors for nothing. They're in jail now.

    Beth Wheeler
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    HOA's should be outlawed everywhere. I could never live under 1 because of their BS rules and fines. When it's really hot I can't mow and weedeat my yard. If you don't like how tall my yard is shut up or kiss my asss! You don't want the trash or recycle cans at the end of the driveway except certain hours same thing, I'll leave them there all week if I want to. They are nothing but power hungry Karen's and Kevin's wanting to rip people off. Sometimes they end up going to jail for it...Quinn Pratt on YouTube had a great story about his new past HOA and it's GREAT!!!

    Mike F
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd have to avoid that, I don't play well with someone barking at me and I'd probably catch a case.

    Janelle Collard
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We live in a very nice mobile home park in California, so *technically* we have an HOA but the owners, managers, etc., aren't @ssh0les about it.

    KatSaidThat
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Genuine question - are those orange "police" lights and sirens legal? Would have asked city council first time they pulled that stunt.

    MaxMi
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder the part with the siren and the walmart yellow light didn’t make into courtroom as police impersonator different criminal charge.

    Historyharlot93
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyone else think of the “Mall Cop” movie? Because that’s what immediately came to my mind with the flashing yellow light

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    Rick Murray
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a person from the other side of the ocean, I find the entire concept of HOAs to be weird. It's like they're doing the work of the town council, making up their own set of rules, and - the best bit - fining people for breaking these rules. What?

    Bergman Oswell
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When an HOA exists for a long enough time, it begins to become embedded in local governments. The UK equivalent of an HOA, with hundreds of years of time added, is known as a Local Council. Go look up how Local Councils got their start vs actual government councils, and you won't feel so safe from HOAs anymore.

    Load More Replies...
    Brian Droste
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love reading about HOAS being taken down.

    KatSaidThat
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same, same. I don't even live USA and hate HOA.

    Load More Replies...
    Onan Hag All
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why the fu.ck do Yanks tolerate this HOA bull.s**t? It doesn't happen out here in civilisation.

    Angie May
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most of us don't. There are far fewer HOAs in practice than articles like this might make you think. I know you're just commenting like this to s**t on America but I figured I'd reply for anyone not being a d**k who might not know these aren't really super prevalent (only about 30% of citizens here live under an HOA).

    Load More Replies...
    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Home owners associations are to nice neighborhoods what organized religion is to spirituality.

    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Our HOA wound up being fake too - the very LAST thing we expected when we took them on. Seems mom and son had just decided that a nice way to make a living was to charge the neighbors for nothing. They're in jail now.

    Beth Wheeler
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    HOA's should be outlawed everywhere. I could never live under 1 because of their BS rules and fines. When it's really hot I can't mow and weedeat my yard. If you don't like how tall my yard is shut up or kiss my asss! You don't want the trash or recycle cans at the end of the driveway except certain hours same thing, I'll leave them there all week if I want to. They are nothing but power hungry Karen's and Kevin's wanting to rip people off. Sometimes they end up going to jail for it...Quinn Pratt on YouTube had a great story about his new past HOA and it's GREAT!!!

    Mike F
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd have to avoid that, I don't play well with someone barking at me and I'd probably catch a case.

    Janelle Collard
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We live in a very nice mobile home park in California, so *technically* we have an HOA but the owners, managers, etc., aren't @ssh0les about it.

    KatSaidThat
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Genuine question - are those orange "police" lights and sirens legal? Would have asked city council first time they pulled that stunt.

    MaxMi
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder the part with the siren and the walmart yellow light didn’t make into courtroom as police impersonator different criminal charge.

    Historyharlot93
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyone else think of the “Mall Cop” movie? Because that’s what immediately came to my mind with the flashing yellow light

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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