Here’s Another Issue From a Homeowner Who Reached Out to Me: Mowed Before the HOA Could Complain — and Got Kicked Out for Speaking Up

Today, I want to share a photo of my freshly cut lawn. Not because I think everyone needs to see my grass, but because cutting it was a small personal victory.

See, I managed to beat the HOA’s hired lawn service to the punch. Normally, they’d be quick to send a letter of reprimand if they thought the grass wasn’t cut on their schedule. But this time, I finished before they could snap a photo and send their warning.

Why does this matter? Because it’s a perfect example of the petty, overreaching behavior that has taken hold in our community of Belmont Hills in Commerce, Georgia.

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Another Homeowner Facing HOA Trouble

Sadly, this isn’t an isolated incident. This is yet another homeowner dealing with an HOA that seems more focused on control than community. Across Georgia, more and more residents are stepping forward with similar stories — of retaliation, secrecy, and questionable spending. My experience is just one more piece in a much bigger picture of HOA abuse.

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Silenced for Speaking Out

Not long ago, I was removed from the Belmont Hills Facebook page. My “offense”? Posting a sign about our pool being closed and questioning why the HOA board hired an attorney to push us toward becoming a Property Owners’ Association (POA) without first asking members to vote on spending the money.

In other words — I was censored for asking questions.

Yes, I get it — a Facebook group can accept or deny members at will. But legal or not, censorship is still censorship.

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The Garage Door Violation (Because… Why Not?)

I’ll admit, in the lawn photo, our garage door is up. Apparently, that could be yet another violation. But in 100-degree heat, I’m going to air out my garage and deal with the consequences later.

Because here’s the thing — when HOAs use rules as weapons instead of guidelines, they stop protecting the community and start policing it for sport.

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The Bigger Problem: Unchecked HOA Spending & Discrimination

This isn’t just about lawns and garage doors.

Our HOA board is paying an attorney to explore changing our community into a POA — without a vote from members.

They’ve also been discussing changing rental rules in a way that seems targeted at keeping out Korean workers from the nearby battery factory. That’s not just morally wrong — it’s flirting with illegal discrimination.

And here’s another little-known fact: When HOAs become overly aggressive or unpopular, they can actually lower property values instead of protecting them. Potential buyers don’t want to deal with hostile boards, endless rules, and overreach.

Where Does This End?

It ends when homeowners stop being afraid to speak up. It ends when boards stop operating in secrecy, stop spending without consent, and stop targeting residents based on personal biases. It ends when laws hold HOA boards — and their attorneys — accountable for the way they treat their own communities.

Until then, I’ll keep cutting my lawn on my own schedule. And I’ll keep telling these stories — because silence only helps those who benefit from it.

💬 Have you been censored, targeted, or fined unfairly by your HOA?

📧 Contact us — your story matters, and you’re not alone.