It is unlikely that an irrevocable trust gives the property any immunity from liens.
AnswerYes. If the property is owned by an irrevocable trust the HOA can place a lien against the property and the trust. The HOA should research the trust so that the present trustees can be mentioned on the lien. Although debts are sometimes difficult to collect from a trust, the property cannot be sold or mortgaged unless the lien is paid.
Generally, the association will work with its counsel to file a lien on your property that you own within the association.
The lien form is signed and recorded in the property records of the county in which the property is located. Since HOA liens are quite complicated, I suggest that the HOA see a qualified real estate attorney--this will avoid any costly mistakes.
Your answer depends on the nature of the HOA lien, the nature of the bank lien, the state law and the governing documents in effect for the HOA. There is no standard.
In this case, apparently, the bank is the owner. So yes, the HOA can file the lien against the bank's ownership of this unit.
A lien clouds title to a property, which means that the property owner may not successfully transfer title to another owner until the lien is satisfied. As buyer, you are entitled to a 'clean title' to the property. The association may not file a lien against a new buyer upon purchase, since the new buyer is not obligated to pay assessments until the date of purchase and beyond.
It would be improper for an HOA to file a lien if there is no legal reason to file such a document.
Read your governing documents where the authority to lien and process for establishing a lien are all written out. Work with your association's condominium-savvy attorney to file the lien and pursue collecting the debt.
If a mortgage lender is forced to foreclose on a property with an outstanding, unpaid loan, there is probably nothing in any association structure that would protect a home from this bank action -- in any US state.Read your governing documents to determine whether or not the HOA can sell your property in order to satisfy debts that you owe.Another PerspectiveIn most states the HOA must file a civil action for unpaid fees and win a judgment lien. The authority to take property to satisfy a lien is derived from law, after due process, and not from any provisions of an HOA. State laws vary on the priority of the lien. Generally any existing mortgage and any existing tax liens take priority to the HOA lien. Should the HOA foreclose on the home, it receives proceeds from the sale only after paying off any superior liens. Most HOA liens do not result in a foreclosure sale since the legal costs are high. The property cannot be sold or mortgaged until the lien is paid. The lien is generally paid from the proceeds of a sale to a new owner before the net proceeds are turned over to the seller.For greater detail regarding lien foreclosures in a particular state you need to research the laws in that state.
The HOA only files a lien when all other attempts to collect monies due have failed. An owner who ignores notices from the HOA to collect money cannot later claim to be unaware of fines, since monies due and fines are detailed in the governing documents.
Whoever is the titled owner of the property is responsible for paying assessments. Read your governing documents to determine the steps that the association can take to collect debts that owners owe.
A lien can be placed upon any property if first, there is a judgment. You first have to have a judgment, where a debt is actually proven in a court of law, leaving a judgment. THen, if not satisfied, they certainly can lien your house. Anyone holding a judgment that is not satisfied can lien your house.
The rules regarding repayment options for HOA dues and liens vary depending on state laws and the HOA's governing documents. Some states may require HOAs to offer repayment options before placing a lien on a property, while others may not. It is important to review your HOA's bylaws and consult with a local attorney to understand your specific rights and obligations.