Homeowner/Couple Say They Owe $20K+ Over $50 Ticket For Texas HOA's Rules Infraction

In Austin, Texas, The Dallas Morning News reports:

• Lawmakers say they have tried to write laws in recent years to prevent homeowners associations from gouging and abusing property owners, but more might need to be done. On Monday, outraged homeowners told a House panel they've been threatened with huge fines and possible foreclosure for what they described as minor infractions of association rules.

• A Houston couple may wind up having to pay more than $20,000 after a feud over a $50 ticket for having gray – instead of black – tape on exterior water lines, leaders of a property owners' rights group told the House Business and Industry Committee. "That was clearly, if it's true, the most egregious thing we heard today," said Rep. Gary Elkins, R-Houston, the panel's vice chairman.

For more, see Outraged homeowners detail HOA fines, foreclosure threats to Austin lawmakers.