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16 Ways to Legally (and Easily) Annoy Your HOA

Sometimes you don't want to take the high road.

By Heather Bien

Edited by Lauren Wellbank

Updated Feb. 1, 2025

You bought a home in a homeowners association (HOA), thinking it was a smart homeowner move. Although these organizations ensure the yards in your neighborhood are neatly manicured, HOAs can sometimes overreach, enforcing overly strict rules, regulations, or fines that feel unnecessarily harsh.

It can be daunting to challenge their actions legally, but you may still feel tempted to push back — within legal limits, of course.

And while this shouldn't be considered legal advice, and all HOAs are different, here are 16 ways you can legally drive your HOA crazy after they've done the same to you.

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Put off any required changes until the last possible minute

If your HOA has given you a decree that you must make a change — including paint, landscaping, or anything else forward-facing that they can easily check without entering your property — you would be well within your rights to wait until right before the deadline that they have given you before making these changes.

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Plant an endangered native plant

If you live in an HOA community, there may be laws around everything from which plants you can put in your garden to the color palette of your flowers. There could even be restrictions around doing your own gardening if a landscaping service is contracted by the HOA.

But, if you plant an endangered and protected plant, there may be state and federal laws that prevent the HOA from removing the plant. Even more reason to plant it front and center!

Install solar panels on your roof

In some HOA communities, there are rules around the installation of solar panels and their placement. But, if you live in a community where the issue has yet to be addressed, you can make them a little crazy by beating them to the punch.

The good news is that you'll likely have the law on your side when you do thanks to the "solar access laws" that many states have enacted to protect a homeowner's right to green energy.

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Become the HOA expert

Want to annoy everyone around you, including the HOA? Become the expert that knows the HOA Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs) inside and out.

HOAs sometimes rule with an iron fist that's built on assuming residents don't know what's okay and what's not. If you can poke holes in any issue they raise, then you're going to become their least favorite person.

Serve as the HOA enforcer

Similar to knowing all the rules, you can also become the person who makes sure that every rule is enforced. Your HOA board may quickly find out they preferred it when they were nitpicking each rule — not someone else.

Get a service animal

Much like getting a service designation for your dog to fly on a plane, you can also get a service animal to bypass any HOA pet restrictions. So if you really want a dog but your HOA says no to furry friends, just get a service dog. They can't tell you no pets if it's a service animal.

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Help yourself to the amenities

If you're paying towards the amenities with your HOA dues, then why not take full advantage? Just like you might stash a few extra shampoo minis at a hotel, you can squeeze every last drop out of your community's amenities.

From the pool to the outdoor kitchen, help yourself to hosting every occasion or party in the common areas. Unless there's an explicit restriction on how often you can use it, it's all yours.

Serve on the HOA board

Want to see change in the HOA? Campaign to be nominated to the HOA board, then start imposing your own views on the next chapter of HOA rules and regulations. Just make sure you don't start getting drunk with power and becoming the problem yourself.

Spring for satellite TV

A satellite isn't most people's idea of chic yard decor, which is why HOAs don't usually like them. But, because of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, your HOA can't make you remove a satellite.

There may be a limit on the size or placement, but your HOA will already be annoyed just by having to work with you on it.

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Volunteer to check HOA rules against local codes

An actual law will always supersede any HOA rules and regulations, but the HOA doesn't always want you to realize that.

Why not be the law-abiding citizen that volunteers to make sure every item in the HOA CC&Rs checks out against local laws and codes? The board will be delighted to know that the rules they've been enforcing don't hold up in a court of law.

Put up an extreme religious display

Because of the Fair Housing Act, an HOA can't make you take down any displays that are considered religious because that would be discrimination. And the HOA board doesn't need to know that you were never quite so passionate about decorating for Easter until you had a bone to pick with them.

Hang a clothesline

Some people think a clothesline is a charming, nostalgic sight, while others think it's an eyesore. There's a good chance your HOA board isn't a fan but, if you know your rights, you might be aware that 19 states have "right-to-dry" laws. That means that your HOA can't stop you from drying your clothes outdoors.

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Push the limits of paint

Most HOAs will have restrictions around the color palette you can use to paint your home. But those restrictions don't always have rules around how those paint colors are used. Who's to say you can't paint each side of your home a different color?

Take over the HOA meetings

Often, an HOA board thrives on meeting to listen to themselves talk. When someone else shows up and takes over the floor, it can throw off their entire dynamic.

Want to annoy them? Be that person. Show up ready to discuss every little thing that's been bugging you, and do so in a long winded fashion.

Ask to see the minutes

It's probably required somewhere that the HOA make the minutes available after every meeting — but are they doing that? You can be the eager beaver who makes sure to request access to the minutes every time a meeting wraps up. Won't they be glad you've taken such an enthusiastic interest?

Take legal action against your HOA

Want a surefire way to annoy your HOA? Sue them. It doesn't get more straightforward than that. If you think your HOA has violated local laws, or even infringed on your personal rights, you may want to consult an attorney to see if you have a legal leg to stand on.

Bottom line

Living in an HOA community is also a good way to build wealth, no matter how much it annoys you from time-to-time. That's because homes located within an HOA typically sell for more than their non-HOA counterparts.

And, that's a major advantage to living in a place where everyone is required to stay on top of maintenance and landscaping. Because, when you go to tap into home equity for a long-awaited renovation, you may be glad to see how much your property value has already risen, no matter how much your HOA annoys you the rest of the year.

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