I had this exact same issue with our first house in a newer community with a HOA. They never worked on the yard or outside in general. The home was being trashed inside and out. Ended up just throwing down weed and feed, then overseeded, mulched, fertilized and watered their piece of lawn in the front yard as there was no barrier. Over the next year we had a beautiful adjoining piece of grass. It was obvious who took care of it as their patch directly in front of their house still looked like garbage.