Can You Lose Your Home for Unpaid Dues?

This story was posted on NextDoor. "Black Woman Loses $850K Home Over a $400 HOA Bill"

I didn't bother to watch the video from The Young Turks channel or read the kazillion comments. My immediate thought it did not have anything to do with her being black.

But it points out how you, the homeowner, must be alert. You know when your assessments are due (Jan. 1 and July 1). You know how much they are ($255). You should either pay it in person and get a receipt, or you should watch your checking account for your check to clear your bank.

Here is what any HOA should do, when a homeowner has unpaid dues. Somebody in the office should call the homeowner. Did they get the notice? Do they intend to pay? Do they understand what happens if they don't pay?

In 2024 the financial statements of The Summit's HOA show that $76,642.98 was collected in Late Fee Income (Line 4250). That is a huge amount.

If I were President of the HOA, I'd form an ad hoc Committee to work with homeowners to pay their dues on time and cut that Late Fee Income down by 90%. 

I know a homeowner here who incurred a $3,000 legal fee to have a lien removed from her property, after she didn't receive dues notices. 

The process of sending notices that aren't received and then submitting a homeowner to shock-and-awe is not good customer service. 

The Board of Directors should be looking for ways to serve the homeowners, and sucking $76,000 out of them in one yeaer is not one of them.

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