Gardening Fix After an HOA Violation Shows How One Homeowner Solved It Without Paying a Fine

Here is a story for anyone who has ever opened a letter from the HOA and let out a groan. @serenaneel says she woke up one morning to two violation notices for a house she does not even live at anymore.

Gardening fix after an HOA violation: creator cover beside a garden photo

The first was for landscaping. The second was for a bush. She is pretty sure those are the same thing. Rather than argue, she decided to fix them herself, in a single afternoon, with the gardening tools she had on hand.

@serenaneel

The great scissors project

Her toolkit was not impressive. She had a little gardening kit she bought on Amazon, a pair of gloves, a couple of other gadgets she could not identify (one she thinks belongs to her mom), and a pair of sewing scissors. Her plan was to be done in 30 minutes so she could go get dinner.

She says she has trimmed this bush with scissors before. In fact, it has only ever been trimmed once in its life, and it was with those same scissors. To her surprise, the job went a lot faster than she expected. She jokes about why anyone would buy a chainsaw-type tool when scissors will do.

The second notice was pretty much “everything else.” She trimmed a spiky bush back to round, and cut back a plant that was covering most of the sidewalk so people could walk by without running into it. Along the way she admits she does not really understand gardening, and that she hates cutting bushes because they are healthy and growing everywhere, which is just what bushes are supposed to do.

A broom, snacks, and a leaf blower

Then it was off to the store for a broom, since her husband had asked her to grab one earlier and she did not hear him. She picked the cheapest one, and the rest of the trip went exactly the way many errands do: meat sticks, some chips, protein bars, and a sports drink found their way into the cart. Back home, her husband took a turn with the leaf blower while she snacked.

In the end, she admits, the yard needed it. It does look better. The last step was the one that matters most to the HOA: she took a picture as proof and sent it in. “Great work. Thanks for your help,” she says to herself. “You’re welcome.”

Why a quick fix beats a fine

Her approach is worth a nod. Instead of letting a violation sit and watching fines grow, she handled it right away and documented it. That is often the cheapest way to deal with these notices. Many associations stop adding charges once the problem is corrected and confirmed.

Here is how to do the same if you ever get a landscaping notice.

Read the notice carefully. It should say what the problem is and how long you have to fix it. If it is vague, ask for details in writing.
Check the deadline. Mark it on your calendar and aim to finish before it arrives.
Take before and after photos. Include a wide shot of the whole yard and close-ups of the specific items mentioned. Dated pictures are your proof.
Send your proof in writing. Email the photos to the management company or board and keep a copy. Ask them to confirm that the violation is closed.
Ask about fines. If you fixed the problem promptly, politely ask whether any fine or fee will be waived.
Know your rights. If you think the notice is wrong, you can usually request a hearing. Your governing documents explain how.

Trimming tips for the rest of us

Her scissors did the job, but if you have a bit more time and a few more tools, here are some basics that make shrubs healthier and easier to keep looking tidy.

Use the right tool. Hand pruners are best for small stems, loppers for thicker branches, and hedge shears for shaping. Sharp blades make cleaner cuts that heal better.
Cut back a little at a time. It is easy to take off more, but you cannot put it back. Step back and look as you go.
Aim for a shape that is a bit wider at the bottom than at the top, so sunlight reaches the lower branches.
Mind the season. Spring-flowering shrubs are best pruned right after they bloom, while many others do well with a trim in late winter. A cutback at the wrong time can mean fewer flowers.
Keep sidewalks clear. Branches hanging into a walkway are a frequent HOA complaint, and they can also be a trip hazard for neighbors.
Clean up. Bag the clippings and sweep the edges. A tidy finish can make a rough trim look intentional.

A house she no longer lives in

One more lesson hides in her story. If you have moved but still own the property, you are still responsible for it. That might mean a rental, a house you are selling, or one that is sitting empty. Make sure the HOA has your current mailing address and email, so notices reach you quickly, and consider asking a neighbor, a landscaper, or a property manager to keep an eye on the yard.

With a good attitude, a pair of sewing scissors, and about half an hour, she turned a double violation into a finished chore and a snack run. Not a bad way to beat an HOA.

Willow and Hearth