“It’s… illegal to grow”

A Florida homeowner found themselves stuck when their HOA refused to step in and help them with an invasive plant.

Desperate owner posted ar/LegalAdvice for help. “My neighbor has an invasive Brazilian pepper growing in his backyard that is continually encroaching on my property,” they said. “What can I do?”

According to the original poster, the situation should be cut and dried. “My HOA has a rule that our lawns must be kept in top-notch shape,” they said. “I have contacted the HOA to have the neighbor remove it because I am allergic to poison ivy and Brazilian pepper is in the poison ivy family.”

Typically, an HOA is known for enforcing lawn care rules. In fact, many of them are so strict that they infringe on property owners’ rights and prevent them from having gardens or native plants that save property owners money and benefit the environment.

However, this time, the request went nowhere. “My HOA won’t tell them to get rid of it,” the original poster complained.

And the owner did not feel comfortable asking the neighbor for cooperation. “I can’t go to the neighbor because they are not very nice people,” they said.

Keeping the Brazilian pepper on its own would also be difficult. Plants are considered invasive when they enter a new area and begin to spread out of control, outbidding other plants for resources. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Brazilian pepper grows “aggressively” and the seeds are spread by animals that would be difficult to control.

Commenters were outraged by the irresponsibility of the neighbor allowing an invasive plant to spread. “The FWC may have some choice words for the HOA and the homeowner,” said one user.

“It is highly invasive and illegal to grow on your property,” the original poster confirmed. “I’m going to get to them!”

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