I live in a neighborhood in Prosper, TX. CC&Rs clearly state no boats, RVs, or trailers visible from the street. I read the CC&Rs before buying. So did everyone else (theoretically).
My next-door neighbor bought a 22-foot bass boat in January. It has been parked in their driveway every day since. Not in a garage, not covered, not hidden. Just a full-size boat on a trailer in the driveway.
For 6 weeks, I said nothing. I figured maybe they were still figuring out storage. Then another 6 weeks passed. Then another.
After 4 months, I mentioned it casually. I said something like "Hey, are you planning to move the boat? I think the HOA has a rule about that." He laughed and said "Nobody cares about that rule, everyone knows it is not enforced."
Except I care. The boat is the first thing I see pulling into my driveway. It blocks sightlines when I back out. It is an eyesore. And frankly, I bought in this neighborhood specifically because the HOA was supposed to maintain community standards.
So I filed a complaint with the HOA. Anonymously, or so I thought.
The HOA sent him a violation notice. He received it last week. He immediately came to my door — apparently the timing of my earlier comment made it obvious who filed — and said I was being "that neighbor" and that I should "mind my own business."
His wife posted on the neighborhood Facebook group (without naming me) about "neighbors who weaponize the HOA instead of being adults about it." It got 40+ likes.
I did try being an adult about it. I talked to him first. He dismissed me.
Am I wrong for reporting the boat after he blew off my direct conversation?
Not wrong. You talked to him first. He laughed at you. You used the system that exists for this exact purpose. If he did not want HOA rules enforced, he should not have bought in an HOA neighborhood.