A British woman who now lives in America has been left stunned by the sheer extent of rules she’s been told to follow by the local residents’ group – such as fixing a browning lawn just 19 days after buying her house.
Emily Hudson, 36, and her husband Jay, 40, relocated to Florida after spending the final seven years of his British military career based in Essex.
The couple are renovating a home in South Jacksonville, Florida, which is the first they have ever owned.
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Albeit happy being across the pond, they have noticed many cultural differences including falling foul of strict rules imposed by the local Homeowners Association, also known as HOA.
HOA is a private, legally-incorporated organisation that governs a community.
Homeowners are required to pay mandatory monthly or annual fees, and must abide by guidelines known as covenants, conditions and restrictions regarding property modifications, landscaping and pets.
While intended to maintain community aesthetics and property values, they can be controversial due to their strict enforcement powers, which may include fines, and even foreclosure.
Less than three weeks after buying her house, Emily received a first warning.
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“When we first moved to Florida, we heard horror stories about HOA neighbourhoods,” Emily, who ran a beauty business in Britain for a decade, told What’s The Jam.
“You know the rules and have to sign a document acknowledging them if you choose to rent or buy a home in this type of neighbourhood but I was still shocked.
“Our first interaction with them was a letter about our brown grass and offering me a window of time it to correct it.
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“This was just 19 days after we bought our new house.
“We responded immediately saying we hadn’t even moved in yet and the irrigation system – underwater pipes with sprinklers – were all a mess and very neglected.”
Thankfully, HOA responded saying they would extend the timeframe.
But soon enough, two more ‘Big Brother’ type letters landed at the couple’s door.
The pair, who were organising their new home, had left some rubbish outside, which they intended to dispose of – but their plan didn’t fit the HOA’s timeline.
Emily said: “We had only just moved and were moving stuff from the old house so of course there was going to be rubbish.
“The frustration of HOA is definitely the restriction it places on the home you own.
“If we wanted to put a swing on one of our trees in the front yard it would likely be a no.
“But we have yet to ask them so you never know.
“We have to ask permission for things like what colour we choose to paint our home or the colour of our roof.
“There are no crazy orange houses here.”
Emily was born in Seattle to an American father and English mother before moving to the UK when she was six after her parents separated.
The couple moved across the pond a year ago, after saving for four years while working five jobs to “make this American Dream a reality”.
Now, they live in a four-bed, three-bath pool home in an ‘A-rated’ neighbourhood that cost them £367,000.
They chose Florida for its “incredible Southern hospitality”.
She added: “It was never a case of we preferred the US over the UK for us.
“It was an opportunity for a new life of sun and adventure.
“Florida has stunning weather, outside living lifestyle, beaches, it’s a beautiful state.
“But moving from military housing in Britain to a HOA community was a dramatic change.
“Their staff drive around two times a month checking 2,000+ homes and issue between 200 and 400 letters each month.
“It’s great even if it’s stricter than we expected.
“We’ve gone from a British Army neighbourhood which was incredibly rundown, neglected and honestly ugly to a place where everyone’s homes are neat and tidy.
“Gardens are well-kept, minimal weeds and grass mowed regularly.
“No rubbish bins left out all week.
“We also have three swimming pools, one being a resort-style pool with splash pad, multiple parks and playgrounds.
“It’s an incredible place to live.
“I think we will always feel eyes on us which is unnerving but I also think due to the size of our neighbourhood everyone gets these letters regularly making us feel less targeted
“I do wish we had complete free rein to do whatever we wanted to our home but I do believe a HOA has a purpose and that for now this is a great place to raise our kids.
“Earning potential is significantly higher here allowing us to live a better quality of life than if we stayed in the UK.”
Despite the ominous-sounding letters, Emily says dealing directly with the HOA had been a positive experience and she believes the rules also help protect property values.
She said: “The HOA is helpful when you speak to them and once you know how it all works, it’s great, albeit a little annoying
“Living here also means my house price is higher here than it would be outside of the neighbourhood – by quite a bit.
“Average price for a home with an HOA sits around $450,000, while non-HOA homes average $374,900.
“You won’t have a neighbour who doesn’t look after their home or garden or, for example, leaves six broken vehicles on their drive.
“HOA homes sell faster for higher prices, which is great.”
Emily’s online posts about HOA life have attracted lots of attention too, particularly from shocked Brits.
She added: “The main comment I’ve received on TikTok is, ‘America is meant to be the land of the free isn’t it’.
“Almost all Brits who watched my videos said they would never live in one.
“Most are shocked and appalled at the concept of being told what to do in a house they own.
“ I think we will always feel eyes on us, which is unnerving but I also think due to the size of our neighbourhood everyone gets these letters regularly making us feel less targeted.
“Despite the rules, our new incredible lives out here in Florida is the best decision we ever made as a family.
“And just like everyone who moved here that we spoke to over the years we don’t regret a thing.
“We are so proud of what we have accomplished in our first year living here and look forward to many more years here living this beautiful life.”
