Can you comply with your HOA regulations and still hold your own little protest? When HOAs go too far, some homeowners turn to malicious compliance.
When HOAs push too far, some homeowners push back—with perfect, rule-following precision. From painting houses the exact “wrong” shade of beige to installing flamingo armies within regulation height limits, these stories of anti-HOA malicious compliance prove that following the rules can be the most satisfying rebellion of all.
Here are a few stories of HOA malicious compliance that will make you smile and understand how some homeowners stay within the boundaries, but just barely.
The march of the flamingos
In one neighborhood, which was well-known for displaying beautiful and unique yard and garden ornaments, the HOA chose to suddenly ban these decorations. A letter went to the entire neighborhood on the same day, telling them to take down their lawn decorations or pay a fine. Many residents show good pride in their lawn décor, offering tasteful additions to their homes and showing off unique displays that are a source of pride and joy for the whole neighborhood.
How did these neighbors respond? They chose to buy hundreds of lawn decorations that were sure to draw the ire of the HOA. They all put up several pink flamingos in their yards as a form of protest. This led to the HOA changing its tune and allowing the previous lawn decorations. Remember, like our government; your HOA is supposed to work for you and represent the best interests of your neighborhood, not be a hindrance or annoyance with unnecessary rules.
Another take on flamingos
While we have the flamingo conversation going, we might as well cover a story of actual HOA malicious compliance, rather than defiance. In this case, the HOA has a ban on pink flamingos being displayed in any yard. The same HOA does allow holiday decorations to be displayed, which gave one resident a bight idea.
He purchased several pink flamingos and left only a few of them pink. He then painted the rest black and attached toy chainsaws to the pink birds. This led to a Halloween display of pink flamingos hunting down the undead black flamingos across his lawn. No HOA violations were committed during this display, and the homeowner got to put out his flamingos and have a little fun.
Breaking in for a party
Its one thing to have your own children throw parties in your home while you’re out of town, but it’s another for your neighbors and some complete strangers to do the same thing. One homeowner was out of town and the HOA broke in and threw a block party in his home while he was away. His house was destroyed and the only excuse given was that it was the largest house on the block and the right one for a party.
In this case, the HOA certainly went too far. While some HOAs serve a positive purpose for the neighborhoods the represent, this one did not. Nobody, including the HOA, has a right to enter your home, or even step onto your property, without your permissions. Most HOA violations occur because of things that happen or can be seen from the street, but this was certainly going too far.
Flipping off the whole neighborhood
Its pretty common for an HOA to ask that trash cans be located in places where they aren’t visible from the street, but one resident chose to take things a little further. His HOA has a rule that fencing must be used to block the trash can, ensuring they aren’t seen from the road. Apparently, he likes to keep his can next to his front driveway and had to figure out how to comply with the rules.
In order to comply and express his own version of HOA malicious compliance, this homeowner build a fence that blocks his can from being seen, but ensured there were five fence boards in front of his can with one board much longer than the rest. The one long board is in the middle, essentially creating a large middle finger look that makes it appear he is flipping off the entire neighborhood.
Does your HOA cause you headaches? Have you thought of ways to express HOA malicious compliance for violations for which you’ve been fined? Has your HOA gone too far and overstepped what seems like normal and common-sense boundaries of ensuring your neighborhood is clean, well-kept, and functional?
Sarah Johnson 
Emily Thompson