A homeowners' association may file an assessment lien against the delinquent properties. Since HOA liens are quite complicated, I suggest that the HOA consult a qualified real estate attorney right away. Unpaid HOA liens can result in foreclosure--see your attorney for details.
Read your governing documents to determine the board's power to collect overdue assessments. Commonly, a collection resolution can be crafted and published to all owners, that sets out the details for collecting assessments that are unpaid.
The outstanding fees will show up at the closing. Obtaining a certificate that there are no fees due is an automatic part of a closing on a condo unit or a property subject to any association fees.
Yes, a homeowner association or other homeowners in a community can take a homeowner to civil court for overdue assessment fees in Florida. The homeowner association or other homeowners would need to file a lawsuit against the homeowner, seeking a judgment for the unpaid fees. If successful, the court may order the homeowner to pay the overdue fees, as well as any associated legal costs or penalties.
Read your association's collection polity to discover the rate of late fees and how they are applied. Generally, state laws are not specific about late fees, but may set limits, such as 'four percent over T-bill rates'. Your association treasurer or auditor can answer your question specifically.
Your question sounds like there was an original HOA, which was superseded by a new HOA. Every HOA collects assessments to operate the community, and as an owner, your governing documents define your responsibilities to pay and the association's responsibilities to collect assessments. The new HOA has its own form of assessments, regardless of the form of assessments paid to the original HOA.
Read your governing documents to determine how the fees should be charged, whether they should be charged to a limited number of owners, or to all owners in the association. Apparently, a citation was required to settle a difference of opinion among owners, or between owners and the board. Yes, this is association business, and yes, the fees should be charged to owners.
A homeowners' association would file a labor and materials lien entitled Assessment Lien. See the HOA covenants for more information on liens. I would recommend that the HOA retain a real estate attorney to prepare and file the liens.
In any state, an association can file a lien on a property, usually as a last resort, in order to collect unpaid monies owed to the association by the owner. Read your governing documents to determine the steps the association must take in advance of filing a lien -- the owner is owed due process -- and these steps are set out there. When it's appropriate, work with your association-savvy attorney to file the proper type of lien on the title for the amount owed, including interests and fees.
The specific legal requirements for notifying a homeowner of late association fees may vary depending on the jurisdiction and the governing documents of the homeowners association. In some cases, certified mail may be required, while in others, alternative methods such as regular mail or email may be sufficient. Homeowners should refer to their association's governing documents or consult with a legal professional to determine the exact notification requirements in their situation.
In most cases the association would place a lien on the property. That would not be subject to a statute of limitations.
Read your governing documents to determine your responsibility to pay assessments, and review your annual budget to learning more about the operating expenses for your community. If additional fees are charged for amenities and you choose not to use them, you are not subject to these additional fees. However, if amenities are included in your ownership share and your assessments pay for the operation of these amenities, then you owe the assessments. If you choose not to pay assessments, the association has a responsibility to collect them from you. Their actions may include letters, liens and worst case: foreclosure.
Depending on your location, there may be or may not be state laws a that address this issue. Basically, late fees must not be usurious or outrageous. Your association's collection policy addresses this issue specifically. Your treasurer or accountant can answer your question.
Follow the stipulations as they appear in the condominium agreement signed by the owner. These are called governing documents. Best practices dictate that the association work with their association-savvy attorney to collect unpaid assessments. That partnership means that the association will follow its own guidelines, and that the owner will pay all costs associated with collection, and ultimately, if necessary, the proper lien filed in order to protect the interests of the association.