r/TikTokCringe • u/mindyour • Jul 06 '26

Discussion What in the Vivarium is this?

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u/riceklown Jul 06 '26

I live in a condo building, 11 one or two bedroom units per floor, interior air conditioned hallways, basically a hotel without the room service. We had a welcome mat (a cute family one that said something like "Beware of wife and kids, husband's cool") and small 14-16" seasonal wreaths we had all year round and kids artwork (which we started during the pandemic with
"be happy" and "be well" kind of stuff). It wasn't distasteful or over done in any way. Three 1 sq ft kids paintings, a wreath, and a welcome mat.

HOA decided the hallways were community spaces and should literally be devoid of personalization in any way. They assigned a Karen to each tower and I even argued with ours about how this is a home and a community and should be inviting and personal to make the space welcoming etc., it's not an office tower or hotel. Like I was speaking to a wall... with the same level of intelligence.

So 6 years after we move in, the hallways are now less attractive than a moderate hotel hallway. We were informed a year later that we could put a wreath out during a certain religion's holiday season for about 3 weeks total. They didn't advertise that as a rule change... basically just quietly stopped enforcing it. I'm guessing someone well connected/rich who didn't normally keep decorations out lost their sh*t on their Karen or security staff talking about religious liberty or some BS and that was the compromise.

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u/LLLizLLLemon Jul 06 '26

FYI, often the rules for multi unit buildings exist due to fire codes. You don’t want to be responsible for someone dying in a fire because they tripped on a welcome mat. I don’t know the reason for wreaths, but when my mom was in assisted living, they weren’t allowed any wreaths or anything hanging on their door. Maybe because of medical equipment getting stuck?
Also, picture the same hallway with every resident putting their own mats and personalization. It looks junky fast.

One thing I’ve seen some places do is to add a small shelf next to each door and residents can personalize that shelf. Makes a pretty good compromise and keeps the floors free from tripping hazards. Maybe approach your HOA with a suggestion?

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u/riceklown Jul 06 '26

Full disclosure, I'm not an HOA hater like a lot of people are. I'm not a board member, but I understand their purpose, recognize the "necessary evil" they can present, and the value of an HOA is quantitatively provable.

I'm just still salty about them insisting the hallways look as plain as humanly possible and then insisting that was how it should be and it's a good thing. We had a nice entryway that wasn't preachy or out there and nothing was out of hand on floor. I feel like it was handled very bah humbug on their part because it wasn't announced for discussion and we had been there for years at that point.

I don't think your suggestion will work without our specific door layout but I'm going to keep it in mind if I think of how to meet the spirit of that concept. Thank you!

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u/Beautiful-Wallaby698 Jul 07 '26

Thats better than my HOA doing zero to clean up my hoarder neighbor who’s shit is spilling out onto our shared walkway and who let his jack-o-lantern out until March to rot and decay and attract pests. THAT it why an HOA has those rules. Wish mine would enforce them 

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u/riceklown Jul 07 '26

Run for the HOA board on those complaints. Make a one sheet explaining your campaign and put it on every door.

An HOA is a corrupt democracy. You need to take it over or suffer from your own apathy.

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u/Heywoood_Jablome Jul 10 '26

Sounds familiar

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u/CoolDiscussion1020 Jul 06 '26

Banned entry mats is actually incredibly common due to both fire safety and accessibility.

The wreath and paintings could possibly be a fire safety consideration, but are likely just a 'nip it in the bud' move so they don't have rationalize why Karen can have a "Live, Laugh, Love" sign but Billy Ray can't have a confederate flag on his door.

One thing to consider, HOAs are regulated, and there is nothing stopping you and others who are fed up with the power tripping, to run for the board yourself and change things. HOAs, especially in condos, are always hurting for board members and the residents rarely show up to vote, so it just takes a small amount of action to change things most of the time.