Oklahoma HOA fines woman $50 a week for using a window AC during a 109° summer. Their objection? It doesn’t 'align' with the window
They issued Deak a formal violation notice, piling onto the woman's misery
After triple-digit temperatures settled over Oklahoma City and her central air unit died, Krystal Deak did what anyone else would have done: she bought a temporary window AC unit to get through the heat while waiting for a new HVAC system. But her relief was short-lived. That is because just a few days after sliding in the window AC, her homeowners association started sending her notices and warned her that she would be fined $50 a week if she kept it. Refusing to back down, Deak took matters into her own hands, as reported by News 9 on August 18, 2026.
HVAC explosion smelled like a 'pop gun'
The ordeal started last summer, when the blistering temperatures led to Deak's HVAC system exploding. "The inside of the house started smoking and crackling. It sounded like firecrackers and smelled like a pop gun," she recalled. Given the unforgiving Oklahoma weather, Deak couldn't wait until a new system arrived, so she set up a portable window AC unit as a makeshift solution.
The HOA didn't care
Instead of understanding Deak's situation, the HOA board quickly clamped down on the temporary appliance. They stated that protruding units weren't allowed anywhere on the property under existing aesthetic covenants. And so, they issued Deak a formal violation notice, piling onto the woman's misery. Meanwhile, State Farm gave her just $1,300 for the destroyed equipment, which was only a fraction of the cost of a new HVAC system.
Younger residents are more averse
Nonetheless, as difficult as Deak's situation is right now, these homeowner-HOA disputes are common. In fact, according to a LendingTree survey, 39% of homeowners have had a dispute with their HOA. However, this number climbs to almost 50% when talking about homeowners aged 22 to 37. Yet despite the occasional brush-off, 64% of people report being satisfied with their HOA.
Weekly $50 fines
In Deak's case, however, she reached out to the HOA and explained that the window unit was only a temporary solution. They denied her request outright. "I should be getting an HVAC pretty soon by doing the owner financing. So, I just need time to get that going," said Deak. Instead, they started imposing weekly $50 fines on her. They argued that if they relaxed the rules for Deak, it would be unfair to the other homeowners. So, as things stand, Deak and the HOA are engaged in a complete standoff, as she continues to fight.
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