Imagine living in an HOA. You own your own home, but there are some things that the HOA handles for you. That’s why you pay dues.

In this story, a homeowner needed a plumber to come out for an emergency repair that would be handled by the HOA. So he called the HOA who sent out a plumber.

The story isn’t really about the plumber or the plumbing problem though. The story is about a problematic HOA board member who happens to live next door and seems to think he can walk inside any open door he chooses.

Yikes!

Let’s read all about it.

Annoyed with HOA

I am annoyed regarding an incident involving the secretary of my HOA.

Ever since we purchased our home we have had nothing but plumbing issues that stem from the main line (which is a common space for all units attached).

On this particular day we once again had a clog that needed immediate attention, so we called HOA over the weekend to get it fixed immediately.

Prompt attention to the problem should be a good thing, but the neighbor was a problem.

The after-hours property management company representative sent a plumber to my home for the repair.

First they stated they would send someone over from the property management company to see the situation which he took pictures and then provided detail to the plumber, how later came roughly 40 minutes later.

The HOA secretary who happens to be our next door neighbor apparently did not recognize the plumber company that was hired. As I noticed that due to him immediately exiting his home and getting on the phone stating the companies name while turning the corner of my home.

Next thing I know while I’m working in the kitchen I hear his voice inside my home.

What is this neighbor thinking! You can’t barge into someone’s home!

I exited my kitchen to check and I see he is in my living room.

He entered through my backyard door which the plumber had left open as he was brining in tools.

Instead of contacting me or my wife (who he has her number) asking us for information pertaining to the plumbing, the guy came into my home unannounced and without my consent so that he could question the plumber and get answers.

He ignored me while he was on the phone with another HOA member (which I noticed on his phone as it was her name on there while he walked past me), and walked straight into my bedroom to the restroom to tell the plumber to stop and question him.

Even the plumber knew the neighbor was in the wrong.

The plumber himself felt uncomfortable and even stated to him this is not your home and that he should not be there and he didn’t have to answer to him.

The secretary stated that he was the neighbor and the member of the board.

He left the home through my front door as I was confused if this was normal and if they had the right to do that as this is our first time living in a home with HOA.

The situation escalated when he called an associate manager from the HOA management company who normally coordinates vendors, even though she was on vacation and doesn’t work weekend.

At least he knocked.

He knocked this time and asked me to speak to her.

When we spoke she also seemed unsure about who had requested the plumber or why that particular vendor was sent, since the management company does not normally contract with them (according to her) but there own property management company personal had already come to take pictures and verify we needed the help and approved it.

Regardless of the confusion surrounding the plumber, I feel that the HOA secretary entering my home without permission was inappropriate and unprofessional. My family and I now feel that our privacy was violated, and we want to make sure this never happens again.

Thinking of what our next step should. I’m in California, if that makes a difference.

Yikes! That’s outrageous! No, being on the HOA board does not give you the right to walk around your neighbors’ houses as if you own them!

Let’s see what Reddit recommends.

An HOA board member weighs in.

This person would’ve called the police.

Here’s another vote for going to the police.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a woman who shuts down her neighbor’s construction project after her property gets damaged.

Everyone seems to agree that OP should call the police.

It’s not too late to call the police to report the neighbor. He has the plumber as a witness to back him up.

Being an HOA board member does not give you the right to enter anyone’s home but your own.

That HOA board member went way too far!