🏘️ Featured Homeowner Story: Pat Dean’s Battle with HOA Retaliation and Financial Abuse

Patricia Dean

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At Home Sweet Headache, we’re committed to spotlighting the voices of homeowners who are standing up against unjust HOA practices. Today, we feature Pat Dean, a resident who reached out after seeing our advocacy on the news. Her story is one of retaliation, discrimination, and silencing from those in power.

🔍 Background: A Fence, a Fee, and a Fight for Fairness

Pat’s issues began when her HOA installed a PVC fence that mismatched her existing one — and placed it on her property without consent. Pat removed the fence and reinstalled it on HOA property, correcting the mistake herself.

Instead of taking accountability, the HOA initially charged her $2,870.

Pat’s attorney sent a letter in 2023, noting that the fence had been returned to HOA property and requesting that the fine be waived in exchange for forgiving the encroachment. The HOA never responded.

Then, nearly a year later, the charges resurfaced — but this time under a different name.

🗳️ Retaliation After Board Interest?

In October 2024, Pat’s HOA account, which had previously shown a $0 balance, was suddenly updated with a new $1,053 charge, now labeled “attorney fees.”

But here’s what changed: Pat expressed interest in joining the board and questioned the long-standing leadership of Victoria Rogers, who has held a position since 2013. Just days later, this mysterious fee was added to her account.

Still, no itemized bill has been provided. Pat believes the charge likely stems from a property survey conducted during the original fence dispute — not any attorney services.

Her current account balance is now $1,055.

🚩 Patterns of Abuse and Power Plays

The timeline paints a disturbing picture:

• Pat’s account was clear until she tried to join the board.

• Charges were added a year later with no explanation.

• Two new members were also added to the board — but the current president refuses to allow them to serve, further consolidating control.

Meanwhile, other neighbors were allowed to keep non-conforming fences without issue, a clear example of selective enforcement.

The current HOA president has led the HOA board for over a decade, despite bylaws stating a two-year term limit. Election names and board titles mysteriously disappeared from the HOA portal following these challenges.

💬 Pat’s Message to Lawmakers

In a formal letter to her state representatives, Pat called for:

✅ Independent financial audits✅ Term limit enforcement✅ Protections for homeowners from retaliation✅ Transparent accounting and fair treatment for all residents

Her voice is one of reason, resilience, and resistance.

💡 Why Pat’s Story Matters

HOAs should operate with transparency, fairness, and community consent. But too often, they operate unchecked — and homeowners like Pat are punished for asking questions.

Pat’s courage shines a light on why we need urgent HOA reform — to protect homeowners from financial abuse and retaliation, and to hold boards accountable to the communities they serve.

📣 Have a story like Pat’s?

Email us or visit www.HomeSweetHeadache.com. We’re building a movement — because no homeowner should feel powerless in their own neighborhood.