Zoning regulations are going to equally effect everybody so that is kind of a moot point in this context. Unless you live in a historic neighborhood (where ofte

Zoning regulations are going to equally effect everybody so that is kind of a moot point in this context. Unless you live in a historic neighborhood (where often nearly every aspect of your historic house is regulated), an HOA has no authority on what you do in the inside of your house. So when renting, you have almost no freedom to alter any aspect of your dwelling (unless otherwise allowed by your landlord). Owning a home with an HOA, you have complete freedom to alter the interior any way you like and have some (varied) level of restriction on the exterior. Owning a home without an HOA, you have complete freedom in and out. Plus there is the issue of pets being allowed or not in rentals. So, I don't see any conflict with a person with an HOA complaining about landlords. Even with an HOA, you are statistically more free to do stuff than with a landlord.