HOA Fines Dad $24,000 For New Roof, Unaware Of Who He Really Is

The Clash Begins

It all started on a breezy morning when the clang of the mailbox signaled more than just routine bills; it brought a shock that reverberated through the serene morning of George and Martha’s newly reconstructed roof.

Among the pile of mundane envelopes was a heavy, cream-colored one embossed with the seal of the Homeowners’ Association (HOA).

Inside, a notice fined them $24,000 for not complying with community aesthetic standards—a whopping sum that threatened the peace they thought they had secured. But the HOA had no idea who they were dealing with.

A Finger Snap

But this had been nothing short of a disastrous year for sixty-year-old George and fifty-eight-year-old Martha. It had started on a quiet, humid afternoon.

The Florida sun was bright in the sky, and the radio was playing an excellent selection of 80s music, reminding the two of when they were younger and full of life.

But like a snap of a finger, everything had turned on its head. The blue skies soured, the music cut off, and the radio presenter warned of an incoming hurricane.

The Rowdy Storm

George, a decorated ex-military officer, and Martha, a college lecturer, had lived in Florida for forty years now. They’d braved their fair share of hurricanes and knew how rowdy and destructive the storms could get.

In their time together, they’d had one of their homes completely ripped off the ground and deposited all over their neighborhood.

Hearing the reporter’s warning, they jumped into action. They needed to double-check their survival kits and prep their house for what was to come. If only they knew how bad it was about to get.

An Act Of God

It only took the remaining half of the day before the raucous hurricane struck George and Martha’s quaint neighborhood.

Amid the roar of the wind and the relentless downpour, they watched in disbelief as sheets of rain hammered against their newly installed metallic roof.

The warning had come too late; the hurricane was upon them, tearing at the fabric of their lives with a ferocity that threatened to rip everything apart. But the hurricane was only the first part of an even worse storm.

Home Sweet Home

George and Martha had settled into the sleepy Florida town more than a decade ago, seeking solace in the warm embrace of its coastal charm after years of military discipline and rigid schedules.

Their home wasn’t just a structure; it was a testament to their years of toil and a sanctuary filled with memories. Each room echoed with laughter and whispered secrets of the past.

It made the decision to rebuild after the hurricane not just a necessity but a heartfelt commitment to preserving their life together.

A Metallic Roof

George, who had extensive knowledge of building materials, wanted to install a metallic roof over his home. He talked to Martha about it, informing her of the many benefits a metallic roof boasted.

“We could even fit solar panels on it,” he said, trying to appeal to the eco-friendly gal in her. She smiled at him, knowing he had her where he wanted.

“Okay,” she said. The plan sounded great on paper. A metallic roof would ensure they’d never cower under another hurricane again. But she had no clue how bad things would get because of her decision.

Finding The Roof

The two set out to find the perfect metallic roof. The investment was expensive. But having retired, George had enough cash to swing for the purchase.

He also saw it as an excellent investment in his and his wife’s dream home. Soon enough, they found what they were looking for.

It was the perfect roof, with guaranteed storm protection and compartments for solar panels and other similar devices. George was happy with it, but his smile would soon fade.

Playing By The Rules

Having found the perfect roof, George and Martha assured the seller they’d be back to purchase it. They needed to return home and have a quick chat with the HOA.

Going to the HOA was Martha’s idea. Having been one to always follow the rules, she only wanted to do things by the books.

She knew how strict HOA rules were when it came to going against community aesthetics. She managed to secure a hearing, where she and George presented their case. You can only imagine what the HOA had to say about their situation.

Hear Them Out

The HOA appeared caring and sympathetic as they listened to Martha and George’s plea. But they informed the couple that they’d have to wait a few days before their request could be considered.

“The storm devastated the neighborhood,” they said. “We have several things we need to take care of. You understand, yes?”

Martha nodded. She was hopeful that the HOA would hear her and George out. They didn’t look like they were opposed to the idea of a metallic roof over the couple’s home.

Days Go By

Martha and George found an affordable bed and breakfast while waiting for the HOA to approve their roof. However, a few days passed with no contact from the association.

More days passed, and before the couple knew it, they were a month in without any communication from the HOA or any of its individual members.

Martha and George were already spending too much on their bed and breakfast. They only wanted to fix their roof and return home.

Still No Answer

Worried, Martha reached out. But the HOA wouldn’t give her a hearing. She even visited the members in their homes, telling them she and George needed to rebuild so they could move back to their house.

She even explained that the seller they were getting their roof from was about to sell it to another customer. Would the HOA approve their request so they could move forward?

But the HOA remained mum. It was then that a fed-up George decided enough was enough and took matters into his own hands.

Enough Is Enough

George had watched in silence as his wife tried to negotiate with the HOA. At the start, he’d agreed to let her steer the project, especially when it came to the association.

But seeing how they couldn’t even acknowledge to Martha that they were still looking into other things and would take care of their issue soon, he decided to end the matter.

He called the roof company and put in a deposit before having them bring it over. He also got in touch with an old buddy who worked in construction and had his team come to install the roof.

Green Lighting The Project

Three months had passed since the hurricane destroyed George and Martha’s house. The HOA had not talked to them since their last hearing, and the couple was livid.

Although Martha was afraid of putting up the roof without the HOA green-lighting the project, she agreed to have it installed immediately.

She and her husband had already spent months sleeping in a bed and breakfast and had spent a considerable amount of money doing so. They needed to return home.

It Looks Perfect

The construction team only took a week to install the new roof, which was fully metal, unlike the tiled ones that graced houses all over the neighborhood.

Martha had worried that it would stand out from the rest of the roofs, thus bringing the HOA’s wrath on her and her husband. But it did not. In fact, it blended in so well that other neighbors started asking about it.

They saw how durable the material looked and were equally impressed by the solar panels that blessed George and Martha with enough electricity to power their lights for weeks on end. But with this attention came the dreaded HOA’s scrutiny.

The HOA Strikes

Martha and George had the roof for a mere month before they got the envelope in their mail. Martha’s throat constricted the moment her eyes landed on the HOA’s seal.

She took the letter inside, where George was having breakfast while watching a rerun football match. “I think we might have a problem,” Martha said, waving the envelope.

Her brows furrowed, and a worried look George hated seeing on her completely devoured her face. “Open it,” he said.

The Letter

Martha ripped the envelope open and pulled out the snow-white sheet of paper inside. She opened it and quickly skimmed through, and her lips parted.

Her eyes narrowed, and furrows drew across her forehead. “No, no, no,” she whimpered. “They cannot do this! This is absurd!”

George came running. “What is it? What are they doing?” He took the letter and pulled up his reading glasses. And that’s when his eyes saw it.

$24,000

The HOA was fining him and Martha a whopping $24,000 for putting up their roof. They’d stated that the roof went against aesthetic policy.

They also stated that the couple did not seek approval for the roof and had installed it without any care in the world. Martha let out a desperate cry. How could they do this?

She slumped down on the couch, her head in her hands. She wouldn’t stop shaking. “Twenty-four thousand dollars for a roof!”

They Made Her Cry

Among the things that George loathed in this world was someone making the love of his life cry. He rarely sought out conflict in his life, always pushing to settle things through diplomacy.

But all these rules went out the window the moment someone made his dear Martha upset. Double points went to whoever made tears flow down her precious face.

Burning with rage, George marched out of the room and headed down to his garage, where he’d stashed his war tools. He’d make each of those HOA members pay for what they’d done.

An Overprotective Dad And Husband

George had always been overprotective of those he loved. From his sweet wife to the many children they’d had, each of which was now grown and leading their own lives.

He’d protected them with the fierceness of a mama bear watching over its cubs. He turned on the garage lights and walked straight to the back.

He’d watched as Martha spent weeks trying to get to HOA to listen to her pleas. He’d watched them ignore her throughout this time. And now they wanted to shatter her dream?

Heartbreaking Anger

The duffle bag George reached for was heavy and military-issued. It was a monument to the chaotic life he’d lived throughout his adult years.

Metal clicked and clanged inside, and a fuming George unzipped the bag. But as he was reaching inside, his wife appeared behind him, asking to reconsider.

“Let me handle it,” she pleaded, her tears still gleaming, marking her cheeks. The scene broke George through and through, and he knew he couldn’t say yes to her request.

His Heart

“Let me take care of it,” Martha pleaded. She’d raced down to the garage the moment she saw George go down there. She knew what he was going to retrieve.

She placed both hands on his chest. It was hot and thrumming with emotion. Slowly, she lay her head against him, placing it right above his heart.

It thundered and roared, pumping fury through him. She knew what anger did to him and wouldn’t want to see that beast unleashed today. “Let me handle it,” she repeated.

What Will She Do?

George found himself letting go of the cold metal he’d picked out of the duffle bag. Martha always had a way of getting to him, calming him.

“How will you handle it?” he asked, and Martha only smiled, looking up at him. “I’m making lasagna tonight. Come and help me.”

George cocked his head, wondering where this change in demeanor was coming from. “What about the roof and the fine?” he asked. But Martha’s response was a grin.

A Good Night

Martha took her husband by the hand and led him to the kitchen, where the two spent the evening making lasagna together, the way they used to do when they were younger.

They ate and laughed, even spending the night watching some of their favorite horror movies. George was confused throughout this time.

But he trusted his wife. He could see how confident she was. She had a plan, and he’d stand behind her as he always did.

A Road Sign

Morning came, and Martha called for a meeting with the HOA. This time, they were quick to grant her a hearing. Unknown to the community members, after the storm hit the neighborhood, the HOA needed funds to repair a few of the area’s fences and signs.

Among these was a massive overhead road sign that usually ushered people into the neighborhood. It was high-end and quite expensive, and the HOA needed about $24,000 dollars for it.

They had been happy when Martha and George walked with their roof request. They knew that in stalling their request, George would eventually install the roof without their consent. They would then fine him and his wife and get cash for the road sign.

The Hearing

Martha and George walked into the hearing. But they didn’t do it alone. You see, after seeing the absurd amount the HOA was charging her and George, Martha had called on her neighbors to attend the hearing.

The HOA was surprised to see the entire community converge at the hearing. But they were not fazed by the turnout. They had clear rules that barred Martha and George from putting up the roof.

They were confident that they would win this. If only they knew what Martha was about to do.

Rules Are Rules

The HOA started by reading out the rules. They stated that their stand was backed up by over four decades of community rules.

They demanded the $24,000 fine from Martha and George, stating that their roof was ugly and ruining the community’s aesthetic. And that’s when Martha spoke up.

Martha started by acknowledging that the HOA was indeed right. They were in every right to fine her and George for installing their metallic roof.

Her Ace

But then she shared one crucial piece of information that the HOA had not taken into account. The roof was eco-friendly. It came with solar panels and encouraged a green lifestyle.

Most of its materials were also great for the environment. While the HOA was correct to fine the couple, state laws stated that any home could make eco-friendly adjustments to their homes without any penalty.

Everything considered, George and Martha were in every right to install the roof. The HOA was dumbstruck. They started checking papers, trying to find any loopholes that would give them back their win. But it was too late. Martha was already gunning for her kill shot.

Nice Job You Got There

The HOA started panicking, asking Martha and George to give them some time to investigate the matter. But even they knew that they had lost.

But they had no idea that Martha wasn’t planning to take any prisoners in this war. “I see in the bylaws that we can vote to impeach board members at any HOA meeting and to elect their replacements,” she said.

“I move to impeach all of you. I nominate my husband among these other eligible individuals: Mr. Rogers, Mrs. Kelso, Mr. Wang, Ms Roletta, Ms Dobrev, and Mr. Argento.”

It Would Be A Shame If Someone Took It

Every member of the HOA ran pale as Martha continued naming her list. In a matter of two hours, each member was voted out of the association, with new members taking their places.

George and Martha became among the new members, and their first order of business was to remove the $24,000 fine the previous HOA had imposed on them.

They also contacted Georg’s construction buddy, who came to do the necessary repairs for which the HOA was responsible, including the road sign. But they didn’t stop there.

Making Changes

Many community members wanted new roofs similar to that of George and Martha. The HOA had barred them from doing so in their quest to fine the couple.

In less than a year, many of the houses in the neighborhood had new, better roofs, so they no longer had to hide from the storm.

Additionally, they could power their homes with renewable energy. Looking at her accomplishments, Martha smiled and kissed her husband’s hand. Today was a good day.