top of page

Did You Receive This Card?

AND GET 15% OFF AT THE REHL SHOP! 

REHL Survey Card_edited.jpg
Resident Evil Cover Shot.jpg

REHL Merch Now Available!
Support REHL's advocacy, research,
and homeowner support efforts
AND 
look good doing it!
Let the world know how you feel about HOAs!

"Danger, Health Hazard"
USCFAR Podcast, S1/E5,
with Dr. Amanda M. Dutton

I was deeply honored to be an invited guest on the most recent of USCFAR's "The Association Nightmares Podcast." It is Season 1, Episode 5, titled, "Danger, Health Hazard" in which I discuss the physical, emotional, and mental trauma that victims of HOA abuse and its requisite legal abuse suffer.

Description from USCFAR's YouTube Posting:

"The Association Nightmares Podcast, (S1/E5) Dr. Amanda Dutton What happens when your dream home becomes a nightmare? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Amanda Dutton, PhD, exposes the hidden psychological and financial hazards of living in homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and Common Interest Communities. Drawing on her academic expertise in power dynamics and her personal experience inside an abusive HOA, Dr. Dutton reveals how these communities can function like unchecked regimes, creating trauma, stress, and even putting families at risk of losing their homes. From “legal abuse syndrome” to the Stanford Prison Experiment playing out in real neighborhoods, this conversation is a must-watch for every homeowner, buyer, or policymaker who cares about protecting property rights and democracy at the community level."

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube

What the Resident Evil HOA Lectures Are About -
and What They're Not About ...

       This lecture series comes from the realization that in the topic of HOAs in America, there is a need for knowledge, information, and clarity as to what they are, what they can do, and most importantly, the increasing amount of abuse that American homeowners suffer from an institution that has plenary powers over them, their finances, and their homes.

      This series is NOT intended to accuse, attack, or otherwise single out any particular group or person, nor is it a sweeping generalization about the HOA industry overall. This is about abusive behavior, on the part of HOAs and their affiliate industries, such as attorneys, property management companies, insurance companies, and the rest. It is acknowledged that abuse is experienced by not just homeowners, but it is also experienced by other HOA board members and neighborhood leaders. This series considers the propensity for toxicity in HOA culture generally and creates a place for conversation so that it can be addressed and resolved. Abuse of any kind, levied against anyone in any form, is an outrage we must not be forced to withstand.

      This series recognizes that people have the right to like and want an HOA structure in their neighborhoods, just as much as people have the right not to like them and not want them. The issue at hand has to do with the imbalances of the lack of choice in the housing market and lack of recourse when an HOA board or a member abuses their position. Likewise, those people who do desire the right to have an HOA in their neighborhood have the corresponding right to demand and receive ethical, legal, transparent, democratic treatment by their governing body and its leadership.

      This lecture series is about a fight. Freedom, so often surrendered with a nod, can only be gained back with a fight. This is about fighting bad actors, bullies, thieves, and crooks who betray our social contracts of democracy and equality. This is about fighting corruption, greed, and megalomania in individuals and entire systems on the corporate and governing level. This is about fighting for the most basic tenets of American democracy.

      This lecture series seeks to educate the American public as to these structures and issues and will, it is hoped, encourage action within individual communities as well as state and federal legislative bodies to balance the power, right the wrongs, and ultimately protect American citizens and residents so that they may enjoy the promise made to ALL of us that we have the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This, most certainly, cannot be secured if we are unable to enjoy them within the sanctity of our own homes.

Freedom starts at home.

Freedom starts with YOU.

"Why You Should Avoid Buying in HOA Neighborhoods"
by Kevin Mercadante, Out of Your Rut, n.d.

This summer (2025), I came across this article (thanks to whomever posted to advocacy SM) which intelligently and succinctly captures the essence of the massive problems with the HOA system. Mr. Mercadante is a finance specialist and his blog covers many related topics. I have thus far found three articles on HOAs specifically. The other two are hyperlinked in this article. I will post all three in a section together under "Articles" on my "Resources" page. 
Crucial Viewing for ANY Homeowner and Potential Home Buyer!
Please Share Widely!

The homeowner advocacy group HOA Reform Leaders National Group (HRLNG) recently created a short informational video that absolutely captures what can, does, and will happen in an abusive HOA. 

If you're not sure what all the fuss is about, watch this! 
This is exactly why homeowners need legal protection and why HOAs need accountability.
END THE ABUSE!

Request a Live Presentation

Presentations are available to view on the page:

 

However, I am happy to arrange for a live presentation for you and your group. I can appear live or via Zoom at your request.

I do not charge homeowner victims of abuse for my presentations.

A presentation fee will be arranged with HOA boards or board members.

Click below to be taken to my contact page to request a presentation.

Laptop Writing

Stay In the Know!

If you wish to receive informational e-mails of upcoming lectures, important updates, notices of blog posts, and motivational messages, please subscribe using the "subscribe" feature below.

Know that I will NEVER share or sell your information. I also can't stand getting tons of e-mails from the same sender. I will only send as needed.

Please share with family, friends, and others in HOA Hells.

Thank you for your support!

Join our mailing list

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

About the
Author

Freedom Starts at Home

My name is Dr. Amanda M. Dutton. I am an independent, academic researcher and activist on the topic of HOA abuse and HOA legislative reform. I am horrified by what American citizens are subject to within the HOA industry. It is one which makes people vulnerable where they should feel the most safe - in their own homes. My work is intended to educate the public, legislators, and industry leaders as to the horrors that people experience, the issues that cause them, and to suggest ways that homeowners can protect themselves and fight back against abusive HOAs, how legislators can act to protect American citizens, and how the industry itself can change to prevent the abuse.

Together, we can fix this!

How to Find Out More

1

Join a Live Lecture

Check the Resident Evil HOA Lectures main page for the next upcoming lecture. Click on the "Events" page to see upcoming scheduled lectures.

2

Book an Event for You and Your Group

Review available services in the "Events and Booking" page,

then request a day and time to schedule a virtual session for yourself or your group.

Lectures and Workshops are always FREE.

Consultations are available for a fee - see posted terms and conditions for details.

3

Contact Me Directly

Contact me with your questions or issues, and I can try to offer resources and information. You can also visit my "Resources" page as well.

Blank Background.jpg

Author
Credentials

Dr. Dutton Addressing the Georgia Senate Urban Affairs Committee, 9.13.2023

STARTS AT 2:48:32

END AT 2:54:08

  • Ph.D. Comparative Studies, Florida Atlantic University.

  • Relevant areas of study include but are not limited to: U.S. and Western History, Political Philosophy, Rhetoric, Formal Logic and Argument.

  • Professional Independent Researcher for Homeowner Rights Advocacy.

  • Member and former co-chair of the Georgia Legislative Committee, HOA Reform Leaders National Group (HRLNG).

  • Invited Speaker at Senate Rules Subcommittee on Homeowners Associations; Senator Matt Brass, Chair; September 24, 2024.

  • Correspondence and Informal Conversation with Members of the Georgia General Assembly on Currently Proposed HOA-relevant Legislation (2023-2024 Regular Session forward).

  • Requested Service on Senate Study Committee for SB 29 by Senator Donzella James (to be formed).

  • Panelist Presenter: Whistleblower Summit, Washington D.C. July 29, 2023: “Home Owners Associations: Capture, Entrapment and Abuse”

  • Author of petition body material “NON-EXEMPTION FOR HOAS: Community Association Corporate Transparency Act” (www.change.org: “Include Community Associations in the Corporate Transparency Act” posted by Shirley Thompson, intro authored by Teta Mica).

  • USCFAR Podcast Guest Presenter, "Danger, Health Hazard," Season 1, Episode 5.

Author
Disclaimers

•  Information or opinions expressed here should not be understood as or construed to be those of my employer institution or the University System of Georgia.

•  My affiliates and I are not an attorneys, nor do we purport to be, and nothing here is intended to be nor should it be understood as legal advice. We share information that is based on experience and extensive research as a way to inform the public and help those who are living in HOA Hell. Please seek professional legal counsel for such matters.

•  I am an independent researcher and advocate for homeowner and citizen rights, and any correspondence or information contained within this presentation should be understood and identified as such; again, my team and I are not a lawyers, and nothing here should be taken as or shared as legal advice.

•  All sources, referenced directly or not, are contained in the Bibliography and reference lists at the end of the presentation and on the "Resources" page of my website.

•  Any errors or omissions in information are unintended and corrections are welcomed.

•  It must always be held in mind that not all HOAs are problematic. The focus here is typically meant to be in reference to those which are.

Author claims copyright on all original material
on this website and in corresponding lectures.

bottom of page