Homeowner’s associations

In response to my comments on homeowners’ associations, Micha Gertner of Catallarchy points out that he posted on the subject some time ago. Also, a Mr. Richard Feder, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, writes

I think I get your position with respect to [homeowners’ associations] but I find it jarring. I have long regarded HOAs to be a decent, and probably likely dominant, model of private governance with respect to land use, and would find it hard to imagine living in a relatively dense area in a free society without living within an HOA’s jurisdiction.

Well, that’s a good point—I suppose something like an association would have to predominate in any society. And I certainly would prefer an association to zoning law or other government-run system. The problem I have is just that these associations attract the worst sort of meddlesome people, who lack any sort of reason, and who enforce stupid rules against people who often don’t have any meaningful choice in the matter. Veterans having their homes taken from them by associations that prohibit people from flying flags, for instance. You only need to get a few calls like that before you are just disgusted at the eagerness with which neighbors police each others’ conduct.