Homeowners association dues lawyers

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Submitted by ArmoRealtor on June 19, 2009 - 1:53pm

Hello lawyers or anyone familiar with dealing with HOA lawyers,

I recently moved and was not getting my HOA bill for a couple months. Yes...I should have followed up with them with my new address to stay current, but rather than call me up and see what was going on they just sent my account to some lawyer to collect the money. Now I guess my $45 a month hoa dues is at $1800 dollars. I asked for a break down and was sent a sheet that said that including the late fees I owe the Hoa around $500, but the other $1300 is a flat rate pricing the lawyer charges for issues of this sort. Is anyone familiar with this type of situation and if there is the possibility to negotiate this a bit. It just seems kind of crazy that I should owe his 1300 dollars for finding my new address.

I really do appreciate any assistance or advice any of you may have. Thanks.

Josh

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A couple of months turned $45
Submitted by urbanrealtor on June 19, 2009 - 4:48pm.

A couple of months turned $45 to $500?

Did you mean 10 months?

As an HOA board member who works collecting delinquencies in small claims, I would suggest trying to settle for the amount owed directly to the HOA.

Maybe attend a meeting or ask to attend the delinquency section of the HOA board meeting.

Offering to settle is a better option than either paying or ignoring.

Another hoa where my client is buying just foreclosed on an owner who had not paid since buying.

If they insist on getting more, you can ask if they intend to spend another 1300 to collect another $45 bucks.

Another idea is to offer to keep the $1300 (or some portion thereof) as a subordinate lien (maybe with interest) that will be paid when you sell (whenever that is).

Also remind them about the cost that they incur every time they engage the atty services and that you always have the option of just not paying.

Good luck and try not to take the ostrich approach in the future.

Being dumb is not a recognized defense.

Thanks urban.
Submitted by ArmoRealtor on June 19, 2009 - 5:00pm.

Thanks urban.