Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 10 Episode 7 Homeowners Associations

As John Oliver kicks off Season 10 of Last Week Tonight, he delves into one of the most infuriating aspects of homeownership: homeowners associations (HOAs). These neighborhood governing bodies have become ubiquitous in recent years, with around 70 million Americans residing in HOAs. But as Oliver points out, while they were initially meant to ensure community aesthetics and property values, HOAs have morphed into a power-hungry, busybody regime that's notoriously difficult to navigate.

To make his case, Oliver breaks down several cases where HOAs have taken things too far, from fining a homeowner thousands of dollars for having a flowered wreath on her front door to banning a resident's Christmas decorations for not being "classy" enough. He also shares stories of HOAs enforcing arbitrary dress codes, preventing residents from feeding stray animals, and even banning solar panels. All these actions demonstrate how HOAs often act beyond what is reasonable and fair to residents, leading to frustration, anger, and at times even legal battles.

Oliver doesn't stop with just sharing horror stories, though. He also dives into the root of the problem, which is an unchecked and unregulated governing body. HOAs are typically run by volunteers, who often lack the legal and management knowledge needed to run a neighborhood association. Moreover, HOAs are generally not held accountable by any higher authority, leading them to create and enforce rules with near impunity.

The comedian also tackles the larger systemic problems associated with HOAs, from racial and class-based discrimination to the fundamentally unfair nature of community associations. Homeowners are required to pay dues to HOAs regardless of whether they use the amenities or not, and in some cases, these dues can be levied without the homeowners' consent. Additionally, HOAs have the power to place liens on homeowners' properties which can affect their ability to sell their homes or refinance their mortgages.

As Oliver notes, there are few viable ways out of an HOA, with the most obvious one being to simply move to a community that doesn't have one. However, for many Americans, moving isn't a practical option, given the limited affordability of housing in many areas. Oliver suggests that elected officials on the local and state levels should regulate HOAs more thoroughly, and homeowners should push for greater transparency and accountability from their HOAs.

Overall, this episode of Last Week Tonight is both informative and entertaining, as Oliver uses his humor and wit to highlight an issue that affects so many Americans. He carefully breaks down the complexities of HOAs and their shortcomings, while also giving a voice to those who've struggled to live under their rule. For anyone who's ever dealt with an HOA, or is curious about their role in modern-day neighborhoods, this episode is a must-watch.