At first, a couple neighbors seemed annoyed, but once the board realized I wasn’t just making noise, they quietly stopped hassling me. Never saw them update the rules, though.
That’s classic—“quietly stopped hassling me.” I’ve found HOAs rarely want to put anything in writing if it means more work or admitting they were inconsistent. Did you ever try attending a board meeting to push for actual rule changes, or did you just let it drop once they backed off? Sometimes I wonder if showing up in person makes any difference, or if it’s all just for show...
Sometimes I wonder if showing up in person makes any difference, or if it’s all just for show...
Tried that once after a client’s fence color got “flagged.” Showed up, sat through an hour of budget talk, and when my turn came, they just nodded and said they’d “look into it.” Never heard another word. Funny thing—the fence is still there, same color, years later. Guess sometimes just being persistent is enough... or maybe they just didn’t want to deal with me again.
I get what you’re saying—sometimes just showing up is enough to make them back off, but other times it feels like a waste of time. I’ve noticed if you make a fuss in person, they tend to move on to easier targets. Still, I always wonder if it’s worth the hassle, especially when you’re juggling work and family. Has anyone actually seen the HOA follow through on these weird demands, like the rainbow gutters thing? Or is it mostly empty threats to keep people in line?
I’ve actually seen the HOA follow through, though not always in the way you’d expect. A few years back, they threatened to fine my neighbor over a non-standard mailbox, and after a couple of ignored letters, they did tack on a fee. But with these more outlandish demands—like rainbow gutters—I think they’re mostly testing boundaries. Still, I wouldn’t count on them backing down every time. Sometimes it’s just easier to push back early, before things snowball into bigger headaches.
Honestly, rainbow gutters are a new one for me—never had a client request that, and I’ve seen some wild HOA rules. If you’re dealing with this kind of demand, my advice is to get everything in writing from the HOA first. Then, check your bylaws closely. Sometimes these requests don’t hold up if you push back with the right documentation. If it comes to actually installing them, make sure you use weather-resistant paint and prep the gutters properly, or you’ll be repainting every season. It’s a hassle, but sometimes standing your ground early saves you way more trouble down the line.
