Families say HOA drove them out

Some north county families say they were forced to move from their homes or live in fear of retaliation from their homeowner's association.

[itsasetup]

First thing I told my real estate agent: “No HOA”.

[haokieto]

once upon a time, kids playing outdoor is encouraged. and mentally healthy.

[josephduclos]

Never, ever, buy, rent or visit an HOA. They can screw with you and if you sue - you get to pay for their lawyer too through fees.

[ENRIQUELOPEZ-vehk]

Been in an HOA community only once, and I will never ever buy a home in another HOA community!! They are abusive, overpowering, senseless, and in many cases, discriminatory!!

[rodmcdonald]

Why would anyone buy property with an HOA ?

[worddunlap]

An HOA began where my mom lived and they wanted her to become a member, pay dues (for nothing but their rules) and OBEY their edicts. One day a fat man who was the 'king' threatened her. She threw them off her property, got retraining orders, issued trespass warnings and advised the others being bullied to do the same. She beat them in court, in public opinion and within weeks the GOA gang was begging for mercy. Later it came out they were using fees to pay for parties and improvements to their own properties.

[sassycat]

I lived in a HOA with my parents and it was a NIGHTMARE. They are very evil and money hungry. I'm not even joking. We were so quiet and never caused trouble and yet they would constantly send us penalty letters for made up stuff we didn't do. And you have to pay it or get kicked out of your own home. They think they own every house and the 'owners' are under their authority. I will never ever buy a house with an HOA.

[managingmonasmoula]

I will never buy a home in an HOA community again! They will fine you and harass you at every opportunity as this is what happened to me. I learned the hard way. Never again!

[fuzzythinker]

Still yet another reason to not live with an HOA.

[LoverOfSesshy]

The kids behind my house scream at the top of their lungs when they play outside. I would prefer that i didn’t have to hear it but then I remember how much fun I had playing outside with friends as a kid and then I get over it. It’s part of life, let kids be kids. So what if there is noise outside.

[TalenGryphon]

Aaand this is why the mere existence of an HOA in an area is a serious red flag for me. Too much power given to a handful of petty, narcissistic people.

As to the family in the newscast? Move to a more working class neighborhood. Seriously. There's fewer stuck-up snobs, and as I'm typing this I can hear the local kids playing in the park right behind my home. Plus it's cheaper.

...Just don't move in with the intention of moving the place "Up market". That attitude only ruins things. As demonstrated in this video

[waynegordon]

My family and I live in a beautiful SAFE and clean subdivision with no HOA. This is an absolute BLESSING from GOD.

[Johnl]

The lawsuit won't go anywhere and here's why. HOA attorneys love conflict and lawsuits because lawsuits equals more money. The HOA has much deeper pockets and can afford a lengthy and expensive lawsuit. The former residents will likely have to cut their losses at some point because of the increasing expense of fighting an HOA that they no longer live in anyway.

Believe me I know from from first hand experience. At the HOA where we used to live things got so out of control that we could have easily filed a civil suit against the Board members for defamation and harassment. Ultimately it wasn't worth the time, hassle and expense. Instead we led a recall effort that saw the entire Board removed after which we decided we had had enough of HOA life and moved to a non-HOA neighborhood.

HOA's are an abomination that should be banned.

[PunkMartyr]

My grandmother had Narcissistic Personality Disorder. She would call police on her neighbors for anything - outdoor party, kids playing, someone driving too fast. She got enjoyment out of messing with people. These are the people typically on HOA boards. I have many more stories i’m leaving out.

[michaelasebedo]

HOA need to be outlawed or need to be SEVERELY monitored by both local and state authorities !

[kennithgeorge]

My daughter’s HOA threatened to fine her $500 every my grandson played outside. Once HOA realized my daughter’s knowledge of the Fair Housing Act, they backed off.

[ryanlesner]

When you receive a lease you can take that lease to your lawyer and edit out sections you disagree with.
If your lease states that you can be evicted for not paying HOA fines or fees.
You are perfectly with in your rights to have that entire section removed from the lease.
I have removed HOA clauses from leases, lowered the monthly payment
and had the community leasing agent sign the edited lease
without reading it. So if I can get away with it so can you.
Don't take any shit from an HOA.

[brianperry]

Been there done that. Got out 15 years ago. I live in the country now where I can live how I want and no one bothers me. I, d rather live in a trailer park then an HOA area.

[kathysalkeldbonilla]

NEVER, EVER buy a property with a HOA.

[marinemccord]

We were fined and had to fight our case because we repainted the deck and they said it was the wrong color. Turned out, it was just a brighter white because we had painted more recently than any other owner. HOA are all about the 💰