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Top 15 Things People Complain About to Their HOAs

These are the complaints that homeowners associations hear about the most often.

By Andy Lindquist

Edited by Lauren Wellbank

Updated Jan. 9, 2025

We’ve all heard horror stories about living in a homeowners association (HOA). Between board members that become mad with power, to being prohibited from doing something as simple as changing the color of your front door, there’s the potential for a lot of frustration for those living in one of these types of communities.

And while certain generations seem to get more out of the experience than others — a survey conducted on behalf of the Insurance Quotes website says that Baby Boomers enjoy living in an HOA the most while Gen X likes it the least — there are some things that almost everyone can agree on when it comes to living in an HOA, which is why there are some things that residents are just more likely to complain about.

In fact, these 15 things are the most common things those living in an HOA complain to their association about, which paints a pretty good picture of what you might have to deal with if your next homeowner money move involves purchasing a property governed by an HOA.

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Parking violations

Improper parking by residents or guests can often lead to disputes. And while these complaints can border on petty, sometimes those with grievances have a valid reason. Afterall, there’s only so much room available for parking, so a shortage of spaces can become a real problem.

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Disputes over voting procedures

Residents may feel excluded or frustrated by unclear voting rules or outcomes when electing board members or approving community decisions. Given the power and authority wielded by the board, unclear voting rules and procedures can often result in complaints to the HOA board.

Poor communication

Lack of effective communication from the HOA board regarding community matters can be frustrating for those who live (and pay dues) within the association’s borders.

It’s critical for a board to let residents know what is happening so that they can feel prepared when it comes to everything from proposed changes to the association’s bylaws to new hours at the community pool, which it sounds like some HOAs are better at doing than others.

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Holiday decorations

In the social media world, there’s an arms race over who can come up with the bigger and more elaborate holiday decor setup. Nonstop lights and holiday music are at the root of many HOA complaints during the holiday season.

Arbitrary fines

Nobody likes getting in trouble, which is why HOAs say that residents can be quick to complain when they find a violation notice in their mailbox.

And while some violations may be warranted, we’ve all heard plenty of horror stories to know that some are just a result of HOAs overstepping.

Bias towards some residents

An HOA board can make or break your experience living in a community. And living in an area where it seems like some residents get away with everything while others are constantly getting called out for minor infractions can be frustrating. While it’s hard to prove bias, HOAs get a lot of complaints accusing them of the practice.

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Smoking

Smoking in common areas or near residences is something most people get irritated by. Between the noxious smell and health risks of second-hand smoke, it’s no wonder why people go to their association to ask them to shut it down.

Health code violations

Issues with pest infestations or unsanitary conditions affecting the community are frequently taken to the HOA board. And while these issues can range from minor to major, it’s actually very important for the association to be made aware of them so that they can step in.

Illegal activities

Doing illicit activities within the community has been known to (rightfully) cause some complaints to the HOA board. Typically, law enforcement has to get involved, which can lead to even more disruption and chaos.

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Children's behavior

Living in an HOA can be great for kids, but things can quickly get out of hand if left unsupervised and uncontrolled. Unruly and noisy kids are incredibly noticeable and disruptive, so it’s something that many HOAs say that they regularly hear about from their residents.

Inconsistent rule enforcement

You can almost file this one under bias since some people are held to a different standard than others, but HOAs say that it’s not uncommon for them to stand accused of selectively enforcing rules on some residents and not others.

But, given that many people move to an HOA for fair and equal treatment, it’s no surprise they would be outraged at what they see as selective rule enforcement.

Issues with pets

Problems related to pet waste, unleashed animals, or noise can be a big area of concern for residents, which is why this is a frequent complaint from homeowners.

From a dog that barks all night, to backyard chicken coops, HOA inboxes are typically full of complaints about the neighbor’s pets.

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A lack of home maintenance

Concerns about the neighbor’s unkempt lawn, lack of maintenance, or loud and messy renovations can all prompt someone to take pen to paper and write an angry letter.

Given how expensive HOA fees can be, it makes sense that residents expect their exteriors and open spaces to look amazing year-round. When that doesn’t happen, the pushback is loud and fast.

Unsightly property modifications

Uniformity is one of the perks that people often look for when they move into an HOA, so when someone deviates from the approved neighborhood plan, well, they can stick out like a sore thumb.

HOAs deal with a lot of complaints about neighbors making unapproved or visually unappealing modifications to their homes or yards. It’s a very noticeable change and one that makes homeowners particularly incensed, especially when these changes can clash with community guidelines and potentially lower property values.

Noise complaints

It’s no surprise that noise complaints are the top issue. Whether it’s loud music, parties, or general disturbances, noise consistently frustrates HOA residents the most. And what do residents do when they’re upset? You guessed it, reach out to their HOA board to file a complaint!

Bottom Line

Issues will arise from time to time when living in a shared community like an HOA. Anything that can diminish the property value and thus harm someone’s home equity can cause complaints from other homeowners. Additionally, complaints will arise from things that diminish quality of life, like nonstop or loud noises.

But, that doesn’t mean that living in an HOA isn’t great for some people, which is why it’s important to consider the whole picture when you’re looking to move into one of these planned communities.

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