A HOMEOWNER was shocked to discover that her Homeowners Association charged her $1,800 in fines. 

Lilian Alvarez, a condo owner in San Jose, California, has been fined 10 times by her HOA for parking violations, a tall fence, and having a wood covering for her air conditioning unit.

Alvarez, a resident of Garden Park Village, accused the HOA of taking extreme measures to take money from residents.

For reference, each parking ticket in the community costs violators $175 whereas the city of San Jose’s parking fines are $70.

“They’re charging us ridiculous fines and they have no respect for privacy,” Alvarez told local NBC affiliate KNTV. 

“I think those two are the main concerns that we as residents there have. And it’s not only homeowners, it’s something that also affects the renters here.”

Alvarez has owned her condo in the 200-plus unit village since 2009.

She mentions that once tenants are surprised with a fine, they are allowed to argue it via a Zoom trial but hardly, if ever, win.

Plus, residents who immediately fix the problem they’re charged for still must pay the outrageous fees.

“It outrages me because this is supposed to be our home,” Alvarez said. 

“Some people are in the dilemma of either paying rent or paying thousands in fines.”

Alvarez argues that the rampant fees increased when the community installed surveillance cameras to monitor the property in early 2024.

While the condo owner acknowledges that vehicles can’t be left in fire lanes for long periods of time, she mentions that the HOA is overly strict with the rule and fines residents for simply leaving their cars unattended to unload groceries.

“I have a truck, it does not fit in the garage,” Alvarez said. 

“So, I have to unload my groceries”

Alberto Hernandez, another resident of the Garden Park Village, said he’s been fined several times for leaving his car unattended while getting groceries.

Hernandez said he’s amassed over $2,000 in parking violations not just for leaving his car unattended, but also for other people parking in front of his garage.

“They were not my cars,” Hernandez told KNTV. 

What is an HOA?

One in five Americans live in an area with a Homeowners’ Association – or HOA. But what exactly is it that they do?

• An HOA is a homeowner’s association – an organization that aims to maintain a clean and cohesive place to live for its residents.
• Entire neighborhoods, subdivisions, condominiums, family homes, or townhouses within “a planned development” will often make up an HOA.
• They also act as a governing body for tenants, who run and fund the HOA through monthly fees.
• Their principal aims are to keep the community functioning and visually appealing and to maintain property values.
• They primarily focus on common areas of a neighborhood, such as roads, parks, and pools – but may also stipulate what residents can do with their properties, such as yards and driveways.
• Often these restrictions enforce uniformity on properties, for example, ensuring most houses look the same and all driveways are clear of weeds.
• An HOA rulebook of covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&R) is distributed to all residents, and an elected volunteer board of directors enforces these regulations.
• Breaking these rules can result in penalties such as fines and even litigation – as most HOAs are incorporated and subject to state law.
• HOAs are often the subject of controversy, with some members feeling that the rules are too punitive and restricting, or that the leadership has too much power.
• But others like that HOAs give communities the power of self-governance, and can ensure a degree of harmony between residents.

“So, I thought it was unfair that they sent me the ticket just because I am the property owner.” 

The community’s residents have banned together to fight against the elaborate HOA measures and to demand change. 

“We are stressed, we are mad, we are harassed,” one man said at a town meeting to discuss the fines.

 “This has to stop!”