Homeowners Associations hold a lot of power and authority. But unfortunately, they do not always use it for good. Some power-tripping micromanagers take it upon themselves to police the neighborhood and cross boundaries.
Internet user Atchy went massively viral after sharing a letter his HOA sent him, demanding that he and everyone else restrict the size of the Halloween candy bars they hand out. This level of authoritarianism infuriated people and caused a huge uproar online. Scroll down for the full story.
Most people don’t enjoy being bossed around about how they can and can’t celebrate Halloween
Denny Müller / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
One internet user went viral after sharing the ridiculous letter he received from his local Homeowners Association
The HOA wanted to micromanage the size of candy bars in the neighborhood
sambathdara95 / Magnific (not the actual photo)
Knowing the law and the local rules and regulations can help you out whenever you have a disagreement with your HOA
Atchy’s post about his Homeowners Association requesting him not to hand out full-size candy bars during Halloween this year instantly went viral. At the time of writing, it had 3.5 million views on X (formerly Twitter). The story was also widely covered by media online.
Many internet users absolutely loved the topic and pitched their creative ideas on how Atchy should react to the HOA’s attempts to enforce the bonkers rule. Our personal favorite tips all had to do with “becoming ungovernable” and handing out huge candy bars to push back against all the unnecessary rules and obnoxious power-tripping. That’s the kind of legacy we’d like to leave—one centered on fun and freedom.
According to Premier Realty and Company, Inc., HOAs commonly regulate the following at Halloween, usually with a focus on shared spaces:
- How big or bright holiday decorations can be
- How long decorations can stay up
- Inflatables, lighting, or sound on the front of the home
- Use of common areas, clubhouses, and parks for events or parties
- Gate access, guest parking, and street parking rules on busy nights
- Noise and quiet hours
Staying calm, cool, and collected when you’re being micromanaged by your neighbors is one of the best things that you can do. The situation you’re in might be unfair, but you should always aim to be professional and strategic. In the meantime, familiarize yourself with your local laws so that you know where you stand.
If you happen to get a letter from your Homeowners Association, here are a few things you can do. First of all, read it carefully and in detail. There is a difference between a friendly request and being told that you’re violating a specific rule.
If in doubt about any rules that are cited, ask for a copy of it and the governing documents it comes from. Meanwhile, when you respond to the (un)reasonable letter in writing, be very polite. Go to a board meeting to voice your concerns. And keep a record of all documents, communications, and events.
It’s not always the entire HOA board that decides to ruin your day. Sometimes, it’s a single member of the board who has very strong opinions and a personal agenda. So, they decide to take matters into their own hands.
Millions of users viewed the post. Here’s what people online are saying about the candy bar drama
milanmarkovic / Magnific (not the actual photo)
Sometimes, HOA board members go rogue and start acting in their own interest, not what’s best for the community
CAMS explains that one sign of a board bully is that they will make decisions that are in their own interests at the expense of the community. What’s more, they will act alone, without the board’s approval.
“Board members are charged with acting in good faith and in the best interest of the association. Acting independently directly conflicts with this [fiduciary] responsibility.”
They might even go as far as actually using bullying and intimidation to get their way. “Some bullies pressure or manipulate other board members into going along with what they want. This creates a toxic environment and discourages open discussion,” CAMS states.
“Coercion, rudeness, or downright nastiness causes disruption to the democratic process and leads to escalating tensions, a drop in volunteerism, and other negative community impacts.”
Homeowners Associations can deal with rogue members by immediately telling them to stop inappropriate outreach. Meanwhile, all homeowners must understand that board decisions can only be made in board meetings and through official channels.
“Make it clear that individual board members have no authority to take action individually, on behalf of the association, without board authorization. The board must make decisions as a whole and act on behalf of the entire membership, supporting majority consensus and setting aside personal opinions.”
If the rogue HOA member refuses to stop, you may need to issue them with a warning, remove them from the board, or consult a legal professional.
What’s your take, Pandas? What would you do if your HOA started yapping about candy bar size restrictions around the Halloween period? What are the dumbest things your HOA has ever tried to regulate? On the flip side, what’s one good thing your HOA has actually done that you agree with? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments!
The author of the post interacted with his readers in the comments. People shared their perspectives and advice
Some internet users thought the letter was fake, so the author shared proof that it is real
