A homeowner on Reddit is asking for advice after their neighborhood's homeowners association fined them $4,000 in penalties for failing to maintain their lawn.
It all began when the homeowner left the country for one year due to a family emergency. They set up a lawn maintenance service to tend to their yard in their absence, but the company never showed up. Fortunately, the homeowner's neighbor warned them after just a month, and they were able to hire a new service to take care of their lawn.
Fast-forward, and the homeowner says they returned home to find a $4,000 fine. While the homeowner was abroad, a fine for the first month of no yard maintenance sat in their mailbox and racked up daily fees each day it was unpaid.
Just as the homeowner was in communication with the neighborhood board to settle the fine, the HOA agency switched agencies and, shortly after, hired an attorney to impose the fine instead.
That's when the homeowner turned to Reddit for advice.
"What are my options?" they asked.
As many Redditors suggested, the best course of action is to start with open and honest communication with the HOA.
"This seems like a simple misunderstanding as a result of things changing hands," wrote one user. "This could probably be put to rest with a friendly phone call."
"Simple misunderstandings are the bread and butter of HOA income," remarked another.
By starting with a conversation, there is hope to change unfair decisions like the homeowner's exorbitant fine, as well as other rules such as those restricting eco-friendly lifestyles like solar panels or non-grass lawns.
For more information, check out TCD's Homeowners Association Guide. There, you can find helpful information on how to effect changes in HOA-run neighborhoods or with stubborn landlords.
While the damage in this situation is done, a non-grass lawn doesn't need as much attentive upkeep in the first place and may have helped the homeowner avoid a lawn maintenance fine altogether.
Native plants, for example, are an excellent, low-maintenance landscaping choice thanks to their regional adaptations. They require less frequent watering, fertilizer, and weeding — saving time and money on upkeep. Plus, they provide food and shelter for native creatures, including pollinators, helping to create a more biodiverse and eco-friendly environment.
Other eco-friendly, low-maintenance options include clover lawns, buffalo grass, and xeriscaping. For more information on how to get started, check out The Cool Down's guides on switching to a natural lawn and rewilding your yard.
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