HOA Charges Resident $2,800 for Grocery Drop-Off, Calls It a Violation

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A San Jose homeowner has been hit with thousands of dollars in fines by his homeowners association (HOA) over parking violations—some of which weren’t even his fault.

Alberto Hernandez, a resident of Garden Park Village, was stunned to receive a staggering $2,800 in penalties for various alleged infractions. Among the violations were fines for temporarily leaving his car unattended while unloading groceries and for other vehicles parking in front of his garage—vehicles that didn’t even belong to him.

“These weren’t my cars,” Hernandez explained in an interview with KNTV. “It’s unfair that I was fined just because I own the property.”

He’s not the only one facing what residents describe as excessive and unjust penalties.

Growing Frustration Among Homeowners

Longtime resident Liliana Alvarez, who has lived in the complex since 2009, echoed Hernandez’s concerns, calling the fines unreasonable and invasive.

“Their charges are out of control, and they don’t respect our privacy,” Alvarez said. “It’s affecting both homeowners and renters alike.”

Alvarez has received 10 separate fines totaling over $1,800 for parking violations, as well as for modifications to her property—including the height of her fence and a wooden covering for her air conditioning unit.

Like Hernandez, she was penalized for briefly stepping away from her vehicle while unloading groceries.

“My truck doesn’t fit in the garage, so I have to unload in the driveway,” she explained.

Parking violations alone have cost her $175 per ticket.

Surveillance Cameras Fuel Concerns

Residents say their frustrations have worsened since the HOA installed security cameras in early 2024, leading to an increase in citations.

“They’re watching us constantly,” Alvarez said. “It feels like harassment.”

Some residents have tried to challenge the fines through the HOA’s appeal process, which takes place via Zoom, but claim their efforts rarely succeed.

“This is supposed to be our home, yet people are being forced to choose between paying rent and paying fines,” Alvarez said.

The Role of HOAs

Homeowners associations (HOAs) exist to maintain community standards, enforce rules, and manage shared spaces. Typically, they regulate parking, landscaping, and exterior modifications to preserve property values and neighborhood aesthetics.

Residents of Garden Park Village, however, argue that their HOA is overstepping its bounds, imposing extreme fines for minor infractions and creating financial strain for many homeowners.

Residents Take a Stand

Frustrated by mounting penalties, dozens of homeowners and renters have started organizing meetings to discuss their options and push back against what they describe as unfair enforcement practices.

“We’re stressed, we’re angry, and we feel like we’re being targeted,” said one resident. “Something needs to change.”

The HOA has yet to respond to requests for comment.

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