Did you know that a homeowner’s association (HOA) can place a lien on your home? Depending on the state you live in, it can either be a nonprofit or a for-profit organization that helps manage and protect a community of homeowners.
If a person is its member, they likely pay monthly or annual dues, which go towards the upkeep of common areas, like swimming pools, road maintenance, community parking, or playgrounds. In some cases, they also help enforce specific rules and regulations meant to keep the community looking tidy and well-maintained.
Still have questions? How can the HOA place a lien on your home? Keep reading to learn more about it.
What Is a Lien?
It is a legal claim on one’s house. When people don’t pay what they owe, the creditor can force its sale to get paid.
The most common type is a mortgage, which is placed by a lender when borrowing money to buy a home. If one doesn’t make their mortgage payments, the lender can foreclose on it and sell it to get paid.
What Is a Homeowners Association (HOA)?
It is an organization that manages a community of homes. They are common in condominiums and planned developments.
They are typically governed by a board of directors, which the homeowners elect in the community. The board enacts and enforces regulations designed to maintain the property values in the community.
When can the HOA place a lien on your home?
Following are the common reasons for which they can place a lien on your place:
– Unpaid dues: When people don’t pay their HOA dues, the association can place a lien on the place. The amount will be the unpaid dues, plus interest and any collection costs incurred by the association.
– Unpaid special assessments: If people don’t pay a special assessment levied by the owner association, the authority can place a lien on their home for the unpaid amount.
– Violation of rules and regulations: If one violates, the association can place a lien on one’s home. The amount will be the cost of repairing the damage caused by the violation, plus any fines imposed by the owner.
Some platforms offer services to HOA’s and can help manage dues, property taxes, structural issues, costly repairs, and outstanding liens. These platforms can make it easier for homeowners to simplify the home-selling process by providing an estimate upfront, so they can factor in these costs when shopping for a new property.
How can you avoid an HOA lien on your home?
Paying the dues on time is the best way to avoid a lien. If one can’t pay the total amount owed, one should contact the owner and make arrangements to pay the delinquent amount over time. If one’s selling their house, get an estimate from a reputable platform to help one understand the potential costs involved.
Ending Thought
So, these are some critical things one needs to know about HOAs and liens. Stay up-to-date on your HOA’s rules and regulations, and pay your dues on time to avoid any potential problems.
