Recently I have received a completely unexpected letter from my HOA.
Personally I hate HOAs but I had little choice as most homes here in AZ
are part of HOAs. I've lived in my community for about 2 years and have
tried to maintain my property in reasonable condition and have not been
fined. (I have been asked on rare occasions to take care of certain
things which I have done promptly).

Now a few months ago in late July 2006, part of my front lawn was
starting to become brown. The HOA noticed this too and asked that I
water the lawn properly. So I upped the watering duration significantly
because I also thought it just wasn't watered enough. As this wasn't
working, I later realized the sprinkler system itself needed to be
repaired in several places as the water pressure and water spray just
wasn't going where it needed to go. So at certain expense and much
labor to dig up the lawn and performed needed repairs in late July just
before going on vacation.

Unfortunately I didn't turn down the watering duration. At the end of
July/the beginning of Aug, I went away for a couple of weeks on
vacation and when I came back the bermuda grass rapidly overgrew due to
overwatering so I mowed it right away. I don't actually recall but
supposedly I received a letter from the HOA on Aug 3 telling me to mow
it which I did when I came back on or around mid-Aug or so.

I figured that was the end of it for the next two months, everything
was in order, the lawn was watered at the right amount and mowed when
needed and I didn't hear from the f_ing HOA.

Now TWO F_ING MONTHS LATER,the HOA is mailing me to fine me over not
mowing the lawn and says I can request a hearing within 10 working days
or I'll waive my right to be heard. IMO, it is outrageous because they
are considering fining me over an issue two months ago that has been
since resolved.

The top of the letter readst:

September 26, 2006
(my name and address)

RE VIOLATION: Mow Lawn Origination Date: 8/3/2006

Why are they waiting two months to seek a fine over an issue that was
resolved and that has not been an issue for the past TWO (2) months?
While I understand the need for fines if an owner is just ignoring
violations and not making a good faith effort, this was clearly not the
case. I just happened to be on vacation and dealt with it as soon as I
could and that should have been the end of it which I thought was the
case.

So now I can either ignore the letter in which case the board could
fine me without a hearing and impose whatever ungodly amount they
choose. Or I can request and appear at this "hearing" and things could
get out of hand. I don't plan to be belligerent but if certain HOA
members who I don't even know or care to know become assholes then I'm
not going to be cordial in response either and things are likely to get
ugly.

What is the best course of action?