If I don't pay HOA assessments, can my HOA charge fees or penalties?

If you fall behind in HOA dues or assessments, your homeowners' association can likely charge late fees and penalties.

By , Attorney
Facing Foreclosure? We've helped 75 clients find attorneys today.

There was a problem with the submission. Please refresh the page and try again
Full Name is required
Email is required
Please add a valid Email
Phone Number is required
Please enter a valid Phone Number
Zip Code is required
Please add a valid Zip Code
Description is required
By clicking "Find a Lawyer", you agree to the Martindale-Nolo Texting Terms. Martindale-Nolo and up to 5 participating attorneys may contact you on the number you provided for marketing purposes, discuss available services, etc. Messages may be sent using pre-recorded messages, auto-dialer or other automated technology. You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Any information sent through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.

Question

If I don't pay the assessments my HOA says I owe, can the association charge me fees or penalties?

Answer

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.

Types of Fees and Penalties the HOA May Charge

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:

  • late fees (the CC&Rs might say how much the HOA can charge or state law could limit it)
  • reasonable costs incurred in collecting the delinquent assessment, including attorneys' fees and court costs, and
  • interest on all sums due.

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.

The HOA Might Foreclose or Sue to Collect Delinquent Amounts

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:

Talk to an Attorney

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.

FACING FORECLOSURE ?
Talk to a Foreclosure attorney.
We've helped 75 clients find attorneys today.
There was a problem with the submission. Please refresh the page and try again
Full Name is required
Email is required
Please add a valid Email
Phone Number is required
Please enter a valid Phone Number
Zip Code is required
Please add a valid Zip Code
Description is required
By clicking "Find a Lawyer", you agree to the Martindale-Nolo Texting Terms. Martindale-Nolo and up to 5 participating attorneys may contact you on the number you provided for marketing purposes, discuss available services, etc. Messages may be sent using pre-recorded messages, auto-dialer or other automated technology. You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Any information sent through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.

How It Works

  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you