Florida Woman Arrested for HOA Violation

A story out of Riverview, Florida, has every REALTOR® buzzing: homeowner Irena Green spent seven days in jail after an HOA dispute that started with nothing more than drought-stricken grass. 

What looked like “just another violation letter” snowballed into a civil lawsuit, a missed hearing, a contempt order, and an arrest with no bond. Green says she sold her work van, scrubbed her mailbox, and reseeded the lawn, but missing that August court date was enough for a judge to issue a warrant at the HOA’s request. When a traffic stop revealed the warrant, she was booked and held in jail for 7 days without bond.

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Why this matters to you

• HOA reach is huge. Roughly 75 million Americans—more than 30 % of the housing stock—live in HOA-governed communities.

• Enforcement can escalate fast. HOAs enforce private covenants, but once a judge signs an order, a civil matter becomes a court order with real teeth—including contempt and jail time.

• Florida today, anywhere tomorrow. Florida is the poster child, yet every state allows HOAs to fine, lien, and ultimately foreclose. Jail time is rare—but the legal pathway exists everywhere.

Five take-aways to share with every buyer eyeing an HOA community

#	Lesson	Talking points for your clients
1	Read before you need.	Send the full Declaration (CC&Rs), rules, and fine schedule during due-diligence, not the night before closing. Highlight landscaping, vehicle, and appearance rules—those generate the bulk of citations.
2	Ask about the culture, not just the covenants.	Encourage buyers to knock on doors, attend a meeting, and search court dockets for recent HOA lawsuits. A heavy-handed board leaves a paper trail.
3	Document everything, respond quickly.	A violation letter is a legal grace period—treat it like one. Advise owners to reply in writing, photograph the fix, and request extensions in advance. Silence looks like defiance in court.
4	Budget for compliance.	Brown-out lawns, mailbox mildew, roof stains—small issues can become costly if ignored. Add an “HOA maintenance fund” line item the same way we add for reserves and insurance.
5	Bring in counsel early.	A $300 consult with an HOA-savvy attorney beats a week in county lock-up. Remind clients that self-representation often saves pennies and costs fortunes.

The bigger picture

HOAs can absolutely preserve curb appeal and property values. Yet the Creek View case proves that governance can turn punitive when communication breaks down. As an agent, you are the first line of defense—arming clients with information, realistic expectations, and a plan for staying on the right side of the rulebook.

Bottom line: A green lawn is nice. A clear understanding of HOA power is non-negotiable. Use this story on your next client tour to illustrate exactly why.

Do you think that this HOA went too far by compelling the judge to arrest a resident? Leave a comment below or share with a colleague in an upcoming CE Class!

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References

Walser, Adam. “HOA Violations Involving Woman’s Brown Grass Led to Her Being Arrested and Jailed for 7 Days.” ABC Action News, 15 July 2025.