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Imagine living in an HOA and finding out that the HOA wants to use the money from dues and fees to start a business on the side. Would you be all for it or upset?

In this story, one homeowner is in this situation, and while he seems pretty surprised this nonsense is moving forward, he also discovered why the HOA might be able to get away with it.

Keep reading for all the details.

My HOA is Using Our Money For Drone Business; It Looks Like The President Replaced Attorney with Personal Lawyer Too

My HOA voted to use our money to effectively launch a thermal-camera-equipped-drone-based roof inspection business for unaffiliated communities.

They did in fact buy the drone. I do not know if it’s the thermal one they voted to purchase, but I am certain they bought a drone and are preparing to use it.

They have notified us that the first mission is scheduled to take place in the coming days within our community.

OP was surprised at the contents of the notification.

To my surprise, the notice was filled with legalese.

It was surprisingly restrained and referenced many restrictions that the community noted.

While I was initially surprised an attorney actually approved this nonsense, that was of course until I found out that a month after staging a coup on the Board, my President and their spouse (who they named the VP) promptly fired the existing attorney and replaced them with their personal attorney’s law firm (I believe it is likely their same attorney too but still confirming this).

OP is used to dealing with this annoying HOA and knows what to expect.

This shouldn’t surprise anyone, but the drone isn’t the first issue I’ve had with these people.

In fact I have been dealing with sporadic disputes with them since they were elected.

Every time I pull up the bylaws or argue with some outrageous action they take, like deferring maintenance to owners, governing almost exclusively from a Facebook Group they adamantly claim is a social channel, extending their terms and canceling an election, or owning property that’s delinquent on dues in a state that says disqualifies eligibility, they always come back saying something to the effect of “the association attorney says it’s okay. Matter closed or else”.

OP has had a couple realizations about the board.

Imagine my surprise today when I found an old set of records that mentioned the name of the President and VP’s lawyer from a time they made a stink prior to their election. Then another record showing that same firm replaced the community’s existing counsel within weeks of their election win.

I guess now it makes sense why they feel like they can do whatever they want.

I also think i found the rule that they’re using to justify the drone business. It say the community can enter into an agreement with another community to share expenses.

My understanding is that this applies to sharing the cost of landscaping or sidewalk repair. For example, getting a larger order and benefiting from a volume discount, not for the community to operate a for profit unlicensed unmanned aviation inspection business.

HOAs are awful. This sounds like one of the worst.

Let’s see how Reddit responded.

Here’s some advice.

A drone operator weighs in.

Is the HOA a nonprofit?

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about people who have to go to court to get their land back after their neighbor sells it.

Here’s something else to look into.

OP got a lot of good advice in the comments. It sounds like there are several different things to try to get the drone business shut down before it even starts.

The HOA shouldn’t be running a business. It exists to manage the neighborhood. End of story.