Woman suing HOA says homeowners’ association is impacting her ability to sell her home

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ/Gray News) - A Virginia woman is suing her homeowners’ association, and she says it isn’t the first time.

Jeannie Brown is living with multiple sclerosis. She said it makes it tough for her to move around her backyard, so she previously requested a patio, but her homeowner’s association was not in favor.

“I was surprised when I actually needed a patio to walk in my backyard safely that I couldn’t have one, even after people knew about my disability,” Brown said.

This led her to file her first lawsuit against the Hunting Hills Homeowners’ Association.

“I was denied multiple times, but I knew the fair housing law,” she said.

According to Brown, she ended up winning that case and got her patio. But now she is in another battle with the HOA.

Brown said Hunting Hills is impacting her ability to sell her home.

Brown has listed her home for sale as she and her husband are looking to move to a one-story property.

She said they found the perfect home to move to and a buyer for their current house.

However, there was reportedly a problem when Hunting Hills provided a document and rule for the next homeowner that stated nothing could stay on the patio overnight, including furniture.

Brown said the buyer then backed out of the sale.

So, she has filed another lawsuit.

“It was devastating. I cried for days. I had approximately 100 boxes packed. That took me quite some time to do. Many of them are still packed,” Brown said.

Brown said she feels stuck in a home that’s hard for her to move around in with the stairs.

“I just can’t do it, I can’t get my heart set on another perfect home, only to have it be pulled out from underneath me again,” she said.

Brown said this fight is bigger than just her.

“The purpose of my lawsuit is simply to bring attention, please be kind to your neighbors, be inclusive, and don’t be divisive. Life is hard enough,” she said.

Representatives with Hunting Hills have not yet commented regarding the situation.

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