If I don't pay the assessments my HOA says I owe, can the association charge me fees or penalties?
Yes, probably. If you live in a community that's part of a homeowners' association (HOA) and get behind in your dues or assessments, the HOA can most likely charge you additional fees or penalties.
The type and amount of fees and penalties that the HOA can charge depends on your state's laws and the terms of the HOA's governing documents, like the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs).
Generally, if you don't pay the HOA assessments, the association may charge you for:
When you buy a home in a community with an HOA, you should be sure to read the association's governing documents and review your state's laws. That way, you'll know what kind of fees and penalties the association can charge if you don't keep up with the assessments.
Once you become delinquent in assessments, and the HOA has imposed various fees and penalties, the association will likely pursue whatever legal means are necessary and available to collect this debt. So, if you don't pay up, the HOA might, for example:
If you're facing a potential foreclosure by your HOA, consider talking to a foreclosure attorney to learn about different options, like how to get caught up on payments, in your particular situation.