I like the HOA's in theory....
A group of individuals concerned about the appearance of and behavior within their community form an association to keep their neighborhood clean and safe for all who reside in it. Good idea. There are certain standards that should be kept that are strengthened by such organizations and their by-laws. Property free of hazards, unsightly trash (i.e. cars on blocks, yards full of old appliances, etc.), bizarre paint or siding colors, livestock running around the front yard, etc. And while I have a few issues about the whole "Do what we say you should on the property you purchased and own" mentality, I fully agree that if you purchase property in an area with a restrictive covenant and sign to abide by their rules that you have agreed to do so.
The problems, almost without exception, come into play when the management of the HOA is suddenly in the hands of someone with an over inflated sense of self who takes masturbatory pleasure in the idea that they now wield immense power in their new position. The kind of person who has very little else to do than go policing about the neighborhood with a clip board, a measuring tape, and a copy of the HOA's by-laws inventing infractions they can then demand be remedied with the sense of power and authority they just knew they were always entitled to. You know exactly the type of person I'm talking about. They make themselves a giant pain the ass of every good, honest, law abiding citizen in the neighborhood and put a bad taste in your mouth about HOA's the moment they enter the position.
Case in point: My husband and I purchased our home nearly 4 years ago. We were aware of, read, agreed to, and signed the HOA agreement for our community. Upon purchase of our property (which was built 3 years earlier by the previous owner) we were told that our house and yard and all existing fixtures were in full compliance with the HOA bylaws. 2 years ago, 2 years AFTER we purchased our home, we received a letter from the new president (read: busybody, power hungry, egocentric, nothing better to do neighbor "Betsy") of our HOA saying that fencing was not in compliance as it was two inches too tall and the color wasn't approved. The fence that had been installed the same year the house was built, that had been certified fully in compliance 2 years prior to the letter, the same fence that had been standing for 5 years with no color change, was suddenly unacceptable. We would have to tear it down and replace it, or face stiff penalties from the HOA including (and I am NOT kidding) eventual seizure of our property if we didn't comply. We calmly pointed out that the fence wasn't objectionable for the five previous years and had even been certified to be IN compliance two years ago, and that the mistake on the part of the HOA would be generously overlooked by us. It took three more replies to increasingly rude letters, innumerable phone calls and two meetings, but we were finally able to point out that there was nothing wrong with our fence. That whole situation left a very negative impression about Betsy and her HOA leadership.
After that, it seemed that our HOA president paid a great deal of attention to our property. I received a letter that the ceramic pots flanking my porch were not allowed (wrong, they were fine), that the paint color in my guest bathroom was distracting when the blinds were open, so could be considered an extension of our house color (Hello? That was dropped quickly...) and that the edging stones I'd chosen for our front yard landscaping were unapproved and would need to be removed (again, we were allowed to keep them). It seems that other neighbors were receiving the same kind of ridiculous scrutiny because it wasn't long after that Betsy's regime ended and calmer seas have since prevailed. But it was a good lesson for us in how a good idea can become a serious pain in the ass simply by virtue of the personal agenda of those who are charged with it's leadership.
