IRVING, Texas — Thousands of Americans who have kept up with their mortgages are still in danger of losing their homes because they let their homeowner association dues slide.
Many homeowners are learning to their surprise that condo and neighborhood associations that oversee security patrols, mow lawns and clean the community pool may have the right to foreclose when dues aren’t paid. That right is often written into the purchase agreement signed by the homeowner.
Many homeowner associations have turned the job of collecting member dues over to outside management companies. And to them, it’s strictly business, not personal.
Homeowner association boards and their management companies defend the practice, saying maintaining the neighborhood preserves everyone’s property values.
“We have compassion for those folks. At the same time, we feel for the rest of the homeowners who are paying their dues,” said Andrew Schlegel of Merit Property Management, which manages more than 140,000 California homes in community associations.
“No one wants to do this,” Schlegel said. “It’s only coming up when people are completely obstinate about it.”
In fact, most people end up saving their homes. Homeowner association boards — particularly those that have lost many dues-paying members to the housing collapse and the slumping economy — often work with down-on-their-luck neighbors to come up with some sort of compromise.
