re: People who don't pay their HOA dues

where I think HOA are good:

keeps people from painting houses orange or lime green with glow in the dark trim colors

keeps junk cars and trash out of yards making the neighborhood and everyone in it property values drop

where I think HOA are bad:

don't tell me I cant park a boat in my driveway just because you don't fish or like people who have boats. I have never seen a garage yet that can properly park a boat in without damaging the boat and house trying to get it in and out.

they get stupid with it by telling people they can only pick from certain colors when painting houses, as long as they are not bold irregular non-standard colors it is none of the HOA business if your house is yellow blue, white, or green. yes this can get a little fuzzy but the standard should simply be no "in your face" bold color choices.

you should be free to plant or cut down any trees or take down or put up any fences you want to, as long as the same standard of being no "in your face" bold choices that don't blend with the neighborhood.

bottom line is, mind your own damn business and stay out of choices of what I do, and choose not to do, to my own my property, with exception to yard maint, unless I am doing something extravagant and elaborate that directly affects your property value

lastly, there should be no fee at all unless its for yard maint contracts and such. fees for non regular bills should be done on case by case, if something needs done send everyone a bill for that item cost. there is no reason to collect money just to collect it so you can have a slush fund for block parties and buying flowers for neutral ground flower beds because you need excuses to spend money you had no need to be collecting in the first place