The Dark Side Of Homeowner's Associations

Unlike the American system of government, there are no minimum levels of education or competency required to be a board member. Unlike the American system of government, a HOA has no system of checks and balances. HOA board members simultaneously occupy the legislative, judicial, and executive branches without oversight. ( make the rules, judge according to their "whims", who or who is not worthy to carry out a task,  spend the people's money as the board wishes without input from the residents) The board creates rules without homeowner input. In disputes with homeowners, the board acts as accuser, judge, and jury.

• No competency requirements
• No accountability
• No checks and balances
• No oversight

  Over the years, many homeowners have volunteered to help out; many of those would be volunteers claim the board greeted them with varying degrees of indifference, rudeness, and in some cases, outright hostility—lots of hostility.

 "It’s a thankless job" is a line that every board has used at one time or another. Often times it is true that some board members are under appreciated for the good they do. But if this really were such a miserable undertaking then why is it that some board members keep coming back again, and again, and again?

The truth is that, for some people, being a board member is a very satisfying position with a number of rewards and perks. The types of people that are attracted to, and truly enjoy, these volunteer positions, too often, turn out to be the neighborhood authoritarians, the control freaks; every neighborhood has them. Abrasive and or adversarial personality traits are not uncommon. These people are the lynchpin of the HOA system; management companies and association attorneys depend upon their willingness to engage in conflicts with homeowners to generate a steady flow of income. And, backed up as they are by an institution that would make any third world totalitarian dictator emerald green with envy, they generally prove to be quite up to the task.

The Lie: Without a Homeowner’s Association, the homeowners would desecrate the neighborhood and destroy the property values. Visions of cars parked on the yard, unsightly outbuildings, fences in dis repair, dance through their minds eye. OH Wait! We have that already in our neighborhood, and we have a HOA!

Another Lie: "You knew what you were getting into when you bought your home."
This statement is offered as the usual line of defense whenever a board of directors is accused of misconduct. It is an excuse that many homeowners are already very familiar with.