“I'll attend the next HOA meeting.”
Nate frowned.
“You don't live here.”
“I own your house.”
That was true.
More importantly, Thomas owned six other houses in the neighborhood.
He had never attended an HOA meeting.
Now he intended to.
On Monday morning, another surprise arrived.
A lawyer named Daniel Brooks contacted Nate.
He represented a local tenants' rights organization.
“I saw the video.”
Nate frowned.
“How?”
“Someone sent it to us.”
“I don't want a lawsuit.”
“Neither do I.”
“Then why are you calling?”
Daniel answered:
“Because this isn't only about you.”
He explained that HOA boards generally had authority to enforce valid community rules, but their authority depended on governing documents, procedures, and applicable law.
He asked Nate for every document he had.
Nate sent them.
Daniel reviewed the notice.
Then he called back.
“This notice is weak.”
“How weak?”
“It doesn't cite the governing provision.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means they may have acted first and looked for a justification afterward.”
Nate sat back.
“What should I do?”
“Don't threaten anyone.”
“I wasn't planning to.”
“Don't insult Karen.”
“I definitely wasn't planning to.”
“Don't post angry messages online.”
Nate smiled.
“You're good at this.”
Daniel laughed.
“I'm serious.”
“So am I.”
“Then document everything.”
Nate looked toward the garage.
The empty driveway was still covered in faint rectangular marks where the tables had stood.
“I will.”
The HOA Meeting
The next HOA meeting was held Tuesday evening in the community clubhouse.
Ninety-three residents attended.
That was unusual.
Normally, fewer than twenty came.
Karen sat at the front beside the board.
She wore a navy blazer.
The black binder was open.
Nate sat in the back with Erin, Sophie, Owen, Thomas, and Daniel.
Derek sat beside them.
Karen looked nervous.
She hid it well.
The meeting began.
Routine matters.
Landscaping.
Pool maintenance.
Street lighting.
Then Karen announced:
“Next, we will address the recent unauthorized commercial activity at the Walker residence.”
A murmur moved through the room.
Nate stood.
“I requested the floor.”
Karen looked at the board secretary.
The secretary nodded.
Nate walked forward.
He didn't bring anger.
He brought documents.
“I want to establish three facts.”
Karen sighed.
Nate continued.
“First, the HOA handbook permits two yard sales per year.”
He held up the page.
“Second, we notified the association.”
He held up the email.
“Third, the rule Karen cited as justification for removing our property was not effective on the date of the sale.”
Karen interrupted.