What started as a dispute over lawn care ended with Irena Green spending a week behind bars.
Green, who lives in the Creek View subdivision of Tampa’s Hillsborough County, says it all began with a homeowners association (HOA) violation over the condition of her grass.
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She said she blames last year’s mandatory watering restrictions for the dry patches in her yard and insists hers was far from the worst on the block. Yet, she’s the only homeowner in the neighborhood who’s ever landed in jail over it.
“I think they have way too much power. I’ve never heard of anything like this in my life,” Green told ABC I-Team Investigations.
In 2024, Florida led the country for HOA living, with 3.9 million of its 8.9 million homes falling under homeowners association rules — nearly 45% of all residences. But does an unkempt lawn justify jail time, or are some HOAs overstepping in the name of curb appeal?
A legal warning
It started with a few violation notices from The Trowbridge Company Inc., the firm managing her community. First, it was dry grass. Then a minor dent in her garage door — barely visible from the street. After that, it was mildew on her mailbox, which she said was caused by moisture from a nearby tree.
The final straw was a cargo van parked in her driveway, not unlike several others seen in the neighborhood.
“If you drive around my neighborhood, you’ll see there’s plenty of yards not up to par,” Green said.
The HOA took Green to court in Hillsborough County. Green represented herself and provided photos and explanations for each violation. Still, the judge wasn’t convinced. At a hearing last summer, she was given an ultimatum: fix the issues within 30 days or face jail time.
Green said she got to work immediately, but she missed her next court date, claiming she never received the official notice and even contacted the courthouse multiple times to track it down.
The judge didn’t buy it. Green was held in contempt of court, and a warrant was issued for her arrest.
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How far is too far?
“I think it’s pretty rare in a civil case for someone to have a contempt order,” said Paul Boudreaux, a professor at Stetson Law School.
Buying into an HOA community means agreeing to a set of rules — ones that can dictate everything from where you park to how tall your grass can grow. But for Green, things escalated.
After picking up her daughter from cheerleading practice, Green was pulled over, handcuffed and booked into Orient Road Jail. She said she was the only person in civil court wearing a jail uniform.
Six days later, her sister-in-law — a paralegal — filed an emergency petition to challenge the arrest. Photos of Green’s yard and other evidence were submitted to a different judge than the one who had signed the original warrant.
Still, Green said the HOA’s attorney argued against her release.
The risk of HOA power plays
HOAs offer structure and consistency that appeals to many buyers, from well-kept lawns to access to shared amenities. But with those perks come strict rules, and sometimes, serious consequences.
Green was eventually released, but her case highlights how quickly HOA conflicts can intensify.
“Sometimes they act in a petty manner, but if they decide that you need to do something, you need to follow the rules. And when a judge tells you to do something, you have to do it,” Boudreaux said.
Green later admitted she should have hired a lawyer earlier to better understand her rights. The HOA board has since brought in a new management firm to to oversee enforcement.
For homeowners, it’s important to read the HOA bylaws carefully, look into the board’s track record and get legal advice if a conflict arises. A little due diligence can help you steer clear of costly — and avoidable — trouble.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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