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Homeowner frustrated after receiving bizarre notice from HOA: 'Keep all letters from them'

Commenters were angry on the original poster's behalf.

Commenters were angry on the original poster's behalf.

Photo Credit: iStock

Another frustrated homeowner has had a run-in with their homeowners association about a lawn that should be unremarkable, and they posted about their experience on an anti-HOA subreddit.

"Actual letter received from HOA," said the original poster in outrage, sharing a scan of a printed notice from their neighborhood association.

Commenters were angry on the original poster's behalf.
Photo Credit: Reddit

The citation quotes an HOA bylaw saying that owners must keep their lots "free from weeds and trash" and make sure they are "otherwise neat and attractive in appearance."

It goes on to make several condescending recommendations about buying fertilizer and weed killer at garden centers and hardware stores, or hiring a company to apply the treatments, as though these are new ideas.

The letter also includes a photo of the lawn in question. While the scan doesn't show fine detail, it is far from the disaster that one might assume based on the tone of the letter. It appears green and healthy, and it isn't overgrown.

What's more, it could be forgiven for looking a lot worse at that particular moment, according to the original poster.

"This is after we've had a ton of rain and the day before we cut the lawn," they said.

Most people would have a slightly overgrown lawn at that point, since it's not recommended to cut grass during or immediately after rain while the ground is muddy.

Unfortunately, this is far from the first time that an HOA has had unrealistic lawn-care expectations.

HOAs are known for wanting a uniform appearance for a neighborhood — even when that requires expensive, labor-intensive efforts that use polluting fertilizers and herbicides, or even applying excessive water during a drought.

Should homeowners associations be able to determine what you grow in your garden?

Yes 💯

Only if it impacts your neighbors 🏘️

Depends on what you're growing 🌼

Heck no 🙅

Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Homeowners sometimes have success changing the rules to allow more low-maintenance and eco-friendly options like native lawns, but it can be an uphill battle.

Commenters were angry on the original poster's behalf.

"I don't see any weeds," said one user. Nevertheless, they thought the original poster should cover their bases. "Keep all letters from them," they added.

"I would respond that they deliver a proper definition of 'weed' as you don't have any weeds," another user added.

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