When they sink low, sometimes you have to climb high to sink even lower.

That was the take of one Redditor who had hit his limits with a homeowners association. He took to the community r/Farming to ask for advice on tall corn varieties to get his “homeowners association revenge.”

“To put it simply, my HOA has started a war,” the Clarksville, Tennessee, homeowner wrote, saying they need a species that will grow tall quickly and keep growing. “Tell me what I need to add to make my corn stand tall and I’ll do it. All I have to do is create an eyesore to match my obvious dinginess.”

Users recommended sorghum, Jerusalem artichoke, sunflowers, various types of corn and more – but all of this raises the question: How did it get to this point?

In a comment, the author answered this question and listed superficial violations that were apparently found in several neighbors: a “mismatched” shed, an old truck in the backyard, a rickety gate, and visible building materials.

HOAs, of course, are notorious for this kind of meddling. They suck up your money, do little with it, and then you get a stern letter in the mail. Often, a fine of hundreds of dollars is at stake for making money-saving changes your property, including the installation of solar panels or the renaturation of your garden.

“This whole situation has gotten so annoying because they threatened to get lawyers involved. I just want to get some satisfaction,” the poster concluded in another comment explaining why he bought the house. (Try finding an affordable home that isn’t managed by an HOA.)

Unfortunately, it happens so often that The Cool Down offers a guide to help you fight back against your HOA. Can you get around your agreement or bylaws? Can you get elected to the board? Maybe your city or state has even passed laws that take away arbitrary powers from the association.

If so, then may For example, plant 600 sunflowers in your front yard. This will save you time and money by avoiding mowing and watering the lawn, although you may just be digging holes instead.

If you want to save money and reduce your pollution by switching to clean energy, but your homeowners association has strict rules against rooftop solar, you can invest in community solar.

Try to be creative. If all else fails, however, you can always offer a dose of malicious subservience or other pettiness as a form of protest that doesn’t violate any laws or homeowners association rules.

One commenter said, “I moved into a condominium with popcorn in pots. I left it on my patio to dry because while planting in the ground was strictly regulated, potted plants were not. Plus… it’s a seasonal decoration, right?

“The thing is… the squirrels loved the corn and did what squirrels do… and the next year popcorn grew everywhere!”

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