lanepaige+Followhoa sues over vegetable garden A couple in one neighborhood planted a small vegetable garden in their front yard. Nothing fancy—just tomatoes, peppers, and some herbs for family meals. The HOA responded by filing a lawsuit, claiming it “disrupted uniform landscaping.” So now growing your own food, on your own property, is somehow against the rules. #House #HOA #Freedom20Share
charles88+FollowLessons learned after a nightmare tenant — how to protect your rental property A friend of mine went through a landlord’s worst nightmare: tenants who stopped paying rent and left the house destroyed. After months of chasing unpaid rent, the tenants finally moved out. The carpets were soaked in pet urine, walls scratched, appliances broken — repairs cost thousands. The worst part? The security deposit barely covered a fraction of the damage. This experience taught my friend some hard lessons — lessons every landlord should know to avoid the same fate: Screen thoroughly. Credit scores and background checks aren’t enough. Call pre Include strict pet policies. If you allow pets, clearly define allowed types, numbers, and damage fees in the lease. Enforce rent payment deadlines and penalties. Set clear consequences for late payments and act early to avoid accumulation. Schedule regular inspections. Monthly or quarterly check-ins help catch damage or rule violations early. Document everything. Take photos before move-in and after move-out. Keep written records of communication. Know your local eviction laws. Understanding timelines and procedures saves money and stress later. No landlord wants to become a cautionary tale. But smart preparation and firm policies can make all the difference. #House #landlord3012Share
leahmcbride+Followdocument everything A renter moved out after three years in the same apartment. The landlord tried to keep their $1,200 deposit, claiming the carpet was “damaged.” Luckily, the tenant had dated photos of the stains—taken the day they moved in. With proof in hand, they got every dollar back. #House #TenantRights #RentHacks10Share
leahmcbride+Followbeware of application fees Some landlords charge high non-refundable application fees. One renter applied for three apartments in a month, paying nearly $500 in fees. Later, they learned some states limit fees or require refunds. Always check state laws before handing over cash. #House #RentScams #TenantTips12Share
charles88+Follownever skip a home inspection A family bought their first home and decided to save money by skipping the inspection. Everything looked fine during the tour. Fresh paint, new flooring, shiny appliances. Six months later, the basement flooded during a heavy rain. Turns out the foundation had cracks that were just covered up. The repairs cost nearly $20,000—way more than the inspection ever would have. #House #HomeownerTips #HousingCosts10Share
Thomas Woods+FollowMy neighbor’s weed smell keeps filling my bathroomI live in Delaware and just found out the smell is not something the building will deal with since smoking weed is legal now. The problem is the smell comes through what I think is a shared bathroom duct. Some days it is so strong I feel like I’m standing in their living room while they light up. I am thinking about sliding a note under their door to let them know. I wrote one that is polite and not accusing them of anything but I’m not sure if it will come across the wrong way. Has anyone tried this before and actually gotten a good outcome? #WeedSmell #NeighborProblems #ApartmentLiving #NeedAdvice #Delaware #WeedTrends #House 9297Share
lanepaige+Followhoa blocks solar panels A family tried to install solar panels to save on energy costs and reduce their footprint. The HOA denied it. Their reason: solar panels would “ruin the roofline aesthetic.” So financial relief and environmental responsibility come second to making sure rooftops all look identical. It’s progress vs appearances—and appearances keep winning. #House #HOA #EnergyCosts20Share
lanepaige+Followneighbor drama over holiday lights Last December, I watched the HOA send letters to half the street. Apparently, some lights were “too bright” or “not uniform.” One family had spent weeks creating a small winter wonderland. HOA said: “You must remove the inflatable Santa.” Neighbors whispered. Some laughed. Some fumed. A couple even debated secretly leaving lights on at night, just to test the rules. Power, control, and Christmas—never thought they’d mix this way. #House #HOA #NeighborDrama 🎄00Share
charles88+Followthe hidden danger in “as-is” homes Another reader bought a home listed “as-is” because the price was too good to pass up. The seller disclosed a broken dishwasher and some cosmetic wall damage. What wasn’t disclosed: the roof was patched three times and leaking again. The electrical panel was outdated and unsafe. Repairs ended up costing nearly $20,000 in the first year. “As-is” doesn’t just mean the seller won’t fix things. It means you’re accepting every hidden problem that might be waiting. #House #HomeBuying #LessonsLearned75Share
leahmcbride+Followdocument everything A renter moved out after three years. The landlord tried to keep their $1,200 deposit, claiming carpet damage. Luckily, the tenant had dated photos from move-in day. With proof, they got every dollar back. #House #TenantRights #RentHacks10Share
