Woman using a walker in her garden.
Share this @internewscast.com

A WOMAN has stated that she might lose her $65,000 home due to accruing over $38,000 in fines for minor HOA violations, such as having garbage bins visible outside her residence.

Catherine Gibson, 74, a retired EMT moved into her $65,000 three-bedroom home in a HOA community in Rotonda West, Florida, in 1997.

Woman using a walker in her garden.
Catherine Gibson pictured in front of her homeCredit: SWNS
Garage door with painted protest against HOA fines.
Gibson’s home in Rotonda West, FloridaCredit: SWNS

Her troubles began in 2012 with a $300 fine from The Rotonda West Association when the county delivered new recycling bins to her curb while she was on vacation, according to her account.

She was fined because they were visible while she was out of town.

“It would’ve been easier just to move the garbage pails,” she said.

“But they didn’t. And then they fined me.”

Gibson said she tried to pay the fines – totalling around $3,000 – but instead she claims they were added as a lien on her property.

And because she didn’t pay them – because she simply couldn’t afford to – they climbed and climbed.

By March this year the total had ballooned to $38,452 – due to interest and attorney fees.

The fines also include approximately $10,000 accrued in 2022 for instances where others, including lawn service providers and construction workers, parked on the grass near her property.

Other fines were for having lattice around her lanai, and a shed – which she dismantled – identical to those installed by her neighbors, Gibson claimed.

She’s now facing foreclosure because the HOA put a judgement against her.

Families forced out of homes are hit with $56k bill by HOA even though they pay fees – loophole pushed cost back on them

“I hate them,” she said, speaking of the board members of the The Rotonda West Association.

“If I live long enough to sell this house, I’m going to sue them – for harassment, trespass, selective enforcement, and discrimination.”

She added: “They’ve destroyed my credit, my health, and my peace of mind. I have nothing but ill will for them. I wish them the absolute worst karma.”

She claims that initial fines should never have been turned into a lien on her property because they were less than $1,000 – making them exempt, under state law.

And fines for the likes of her lanai lattice – she said she could find no rules prohibiting this in her deeds.

“They said it was a nuisance,” she said.

“But I went through all 34 pages of the deed restrictions and found nothing about lattice. And it was inside my lanai — on my property.”

Speaking of her shed, she added: “My friends had the same shed and were never bothered.”

THINGS WORSEN

Her financial situation became even more fraught when her business partner and “only family” died in 2023.

Their water and waste maintenance business collapsed, and Gibson was left reliant on Social Security.

She has never paid a single fine. Not only can’t she afford to – she feels they are unjust and unlawful.

Gibson posted her story on Nextdoor. It drew over 2,000 views and messages from others with similar complaints.

She reached out to the Florida Attorney General, state lawmakers, and the governor’s office, seeking reform.

Now, Gibson is exploring a class-action lawsuit and working with legislators to introduce HOA-reform legislation.

“I spoke to the governor’s office, and they referred me to legislators who could file a bill next session. Unfortunately, we missed this year’s deadline,” she said.

The Rotonda West Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A white house with a damaged roof undergoing repairs.
Gibson’s home in Rotonda West, FloridaCredit: SWNS
White fence next to a rose garden.
Gibson’s fence she also claims got her in troubleCredit: SWNS
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Appeals court scraps 9/11 plea deal for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

Appeals Court Overturns 9/11 Plea Deal for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

The case against the alleged architect of the 9/11 attacks remains unresolved…
Trump assassination suspect floats bizarre prisoner swap in letter to judge, asks why he can’t be executed

Suspect in Trump Assassination Plot Proposes Unusual Prisoner Exchange in Court Letter, Questions Execution Options

Ryan Routh, the suspected attempted assassin of President Donald Trump, has penned…
Claim $150 bonus or $1K first bet safety net for Wimbledon final between Swiatek and Anisimova

Grab a $150 Bonus or Secure a $1,000 First Bet Safety Net for the Wimbledon Final: Swiatek vs. Anisimova

Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission…
Tucker Carlson Epstein Israel: A Call for Accountability

Tucker Carlson on Epstein and Israel: Demanding Transparency and Responsibility

Tucker Carlson delivered a blistering critique at TPUSA, accusing Jeffrey Epstein of…
Trump reveals NATO sale to boost arms to Ukraine as Putin launches overnight maternity hospital strike

Trump Announces NATO Agreement to Increase Arms Supply to Ukraine Amid Putin’s Overnight Attack on Maternity Hospital

President Donald Trump announced a fresh NATO agreement on Thursday night that…
Nigel Farage on LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast show.

Nigel Farage Argues for Britain to Retain the Elgin Marbles

NIGEL Farage has waded into the Elgin Marbles row saying they “absolutely”…
Aftermath of a Russian missile strike in Lviv, Ukraine.

NATO Jets Mobilized as Putin Executes Major Assault on Ukraine with 700 Drones and Hypersonic Missile

NATO fighter jets were scrambled overnight after Russia launched one of the…
Karen Read lands lucrative book deal while witnesses face continued harassment after acquittal

Karen Read secures major book deal as witnesses continue to experience harassment post-acquittal

<!–> Karen Read Disposes of Trash Behind Boston Hotel Karen Read, recently…
Man holding photos of murder suspect, mistakenly identified as suspect.

Travis Decker Doppelgänger Claims He ‘Spent Night Near Murderer’ While Evading Police for Days During Manhunt

A MAN mistaken for accused child killer Travis Decker has spoken out…
A yacare caiman held by a person wearing black gloves.

Surprise as 3ft Crocodile Seen Swimming in Reservoir at Popular Spanish Vacation Destination

A MASSIVE 3ft crocodile that was spotted swimming in the water sparked…
People boarding a small airplane.

How Carolina Wilga Survived 13 Days in the Cold Australian Outback After Going Missing

AFTER spending 11 freezing nights out in the wild, it was a…
Preliminary Report Shows Pilot’s Possibly Fatal Decision May Have Caused Crash of Air India Flight

Initial Analysis Suggests Pilot’s Potentially Fatal Decision Could Have Led to Air India Flight Crash

The investigation report released on Friday regarding the crash that resulted in…