8 Small Mistakes that Make Your HOA Come After You

Honestly, living in an HOA neighborhood is its own experience. It’s not just about paying the monthly fees, which can really add up, but it’s about knowing you’re always being watched. Like, here you are, you’re just trying to live a normal life and maybe transform your house and make it into your home, but that “community spirit” just seems very pushy in the worst way possible.

Well, it’s not just the board either. There are always a few neighbors who treat the rules like a competitive sport. You might never hear a peep from them in person, but their passive-aggressive comments in the Facebook group (or the Nextdoor App) say plenty. But of course, it can get worse. Like, some people will even send photos straight to the board and will practically “tattle” on you. It’s a whole different world compared to your average street, where people are just happy you waved while taking out the trash.

So, you might be surprised to hear this, but it’s rarely ever dramatic stuff that gets homes flagged. Actually, it’s the little things that seem to do it, and believe it or not, it’s usually things like the tiny insignificant details that HOAs will pounce on.

Old Mailboxes

Well, if you really think about it, mailboxes are like handshakes. First thing people notice sets the tone right away. If yours is rusty, dented, or leaning like it’s had a long night, it drags the whole property down. And yes, the HOA notices. You can either buy a brand new one or just paint your current one, but both seem to do the trick just fine. No, it doesn’t have to be fancy, just clean and upright.

How Does Your House Number Look?

It’s so small, but you better believe this matters! Alright, so if your house numbers are faded, crooked, or peeling, they’ll get flagged. For the HOA, it’s not just about looks; it’s about safety. Well, on top of that, emergency services need to find your house fast, and invisible numbers don’t help. It’s such a tiny upgrade, but it makes your whole exterior look sharper. Oh, and the UPS and Amazon delivery drivers will appreciate it a lot, too.

Where are You Putting Your Trash Bins?

You see, trash day is fine. But if you’re leaving bins out for three days after, well, that’s not fine. Actually, it’s one of the fastest ways to annoy both the board and your neighbors. Okay, sure, it might feel nitpicky, but bins out front for too long scream neglect. And in an HOA neighborhood, those green and blue bins aren’t part of the allowed aesthetic. So, like it or not, you need to roll them back in as soon as you can, and you’ll stay out of trouble.

Dead or Dying Landscaping

Sure, this one seems dead obvious, but you’d be surprised how often this happens (and a lot of homeowners then get super surprised). So, HOAs love rules about landscaping, and they’ll absolutely call you out for brown grass, dead shrubs, or flowerbeds that look like a graveyard. Usually, it’s super clear in the handbook that everyone gets, and yes, it goes on and on, but you do need to read up.

So, even if the whole neighborhood got hit with the same heatwave, they’ll still single out yards that look neglected. Yeah, by all means, it’s 100% not fair, and yes, they’ll suggest that you invest in a sprinkler system too. Now, with all of that said, a few fresh plants or swapping to low-maintenance greenery keeps the board off your back. It’s not about being the fanciest yard on the block (granted, it helps), it’s more about just showing it’s not abandoned.

Driveway and Walkway Cracks

While sure, it’s true that HOAs are in charge of the roads and sidewalks, but when it comes to your driveway and walkway, well, that’s all you. Well, most HOAs are like that, and sure, sometimes they’ll take care of it (but it’s pretty rare). So, there’s things like cracks, weeds growing through, or uneven sections, and sure, they’re super ugly, and they’re technically a safety issue too. HOAs love charging for all things ugly, and for all things unsafe, of course.

Sure, sometimes patching does the trick, but for bigger jobs, concrete repair keeps everything looking cared for and prevents more damage. Actually, you’re better off not DIYing this, because sometimes HOAs won’t allow for DIYs for concrete work (or other types of work). But just in case, just hire a professional to get the job done, because it’ll be a lot less stressful, and your property is going to look a lot neater too.

Overloaded Porch Décor

Well, it’s not a crime or anything to want one of those cute Pinterest-like front doors. Like, what’s there not to love about a cute wreath, planters, or even some seasonal decor from time to time, right? Even HOAs encourage that. But when it’s months upon months of outdated seasonal decor, or a cluttered look, well, they don’t like that. Just generally speaking, HOAs aren’t big fans of porches that look like a storage unit, and neighbors will definitely gossip.

Dirty Driveways and Sidewalks

This is similar to the broken concrete bit that was mentioned earlier, but oil stains, mildew streaks, or just months of dirt buildup might not feel urgent to you, but the HOA notices. They’ll happily send a note suggesting a “gentle power wash.” Some people will buy a pressure washer and do it themselves, and others will just hire someone to do it for them. Usually, HOAs are too picky about who gets the job done (but you should still look into the handbook just in case).

Crooked Fences or Missing Slats

Nothing says “neglected” like a fence leaning to one side or missing pieces. And since fences are usually the homeowner’s responsibility, the HOA won’t hesitate to nudge you about fixing it. It’s always going to depend on what’s wrong, but you can definitely count on a major fine, plus, HOAs can also be super picky about the color and material, too.