How do I place a lien on a property for dues to the HOA?
Full Question:
Answer:
A condominium or homeowner’s association (and in some instances a cooperative) may be able to record a notice of lien against a member’s saleable property to protect a purchaser accepting a deed to a lot which is subject to a declaration of covenants recorded against the property binds that purchaser to the provisions of that declaration as it is a covenant running with the land.
The terms and conditions of levying assessments, collections, default, etc. are typically described in the governing documents, with a statement that the association has a continuing lien against the real property once the assessments were deemed to be in default. Further, most declarations provide that the association has the right to foreclose their lien although without exception there is no explanation as to that procedure and there is no statute on this subject.
This process may include, but is not limited to, sending demand letters, recording of a Delinquent Assessment Lien and if necessary proceeding with a non-judicial foreclosure. The specific forms required, such as notices of delinquency or a notice of lien to the debtor, etc., depend on the terms of the governing documents. You might try typing in "assesssment" in the search feature on our site for sample forms. I suggest contacting the local county land recorder's office for further forms.
The following is a statute from NC governing condominiums:
§ 47C?3?116.
Lien for assessments.
(a) Any assessment levied against a unit remaining unpaid for a period of 30 days or longer shall constitute a lien on that unit when a claim of lien is filed of record in the office of the clerk of superior court of the county in which the unit is located in the manner provided herein. Unless the declaration otherwise provides, fees, charges, late charges and other charges imposed pursuant to G.S. 47C?3?102, 47C?3?107, 47C?3?107.1, and 47C?3?115 are enforceable as assessments under this section. Except as provided in subsections (a1) and (a2) of this section, the association's lien may be foreclosed in like manner as a mortgage on real estate under power of sale under Article 2A of Chapter 45 of the General Statutes.
(a1) An association may not foreclose an association assessment lien under Article 2A of Chapter 45 of the General Statutes if the debt securing the lien consists solely of fines imposed by the association, interest on unpaid fines, or attorneys' fees incurred by the association solely associated with fines imposed by the association. The association, however, may enforce the lien by judicial foreclosure as provided in Article 29A of Chapter 1 of the General Statutes.
(a2) An association shall not levy, charge, or attempt to collect a service, collection, consulting, or administration fee from any unit owner unless the fee is expressly allowed in the declaration. Any lien secured by debt consisting solely of these fees may only be enforced by judicial foreclosure as provided in Article 29A of Chapter 1 of the General Statutes.
(b) The lien under this section is prior to all other liens and encumbrances on a unit except (i) liens and encumbrances (specifically including, but not limited to, a mortgage or deed of trust on the unit) recorded before the docketing of the lien in the office of the clerk of superior court, and (ii) liens for real estate taxes and other governmental assessments or charges against the unit. This subsection does not affect the priority of mechanics' or materialmen's liens.
(c) A lien for unpaid assessments is extinguished unless proceedings to enforce the lien are instituted within three years after the docketing thereof in the office of the clerk of superior court.
(d) This section does not prohibit actions to recover sums for which subsection (a) creates a lien or prohibit an association taking a deed in lieu of foreclosure.
(e) A judgment, decree, or order in any action brought under this section shall include costs and reasonable attorneys' fees for the prevailing party. If the unit owner does not contest the collection of debt and enforcement of a lien after the expiration of the 15?day period following notice as required in subsection (e1) of this section, then reasonable attorneys' fees shall not exceed one thousand two hundred dollars ($1,200), not including costs or expenses incurred. The collection of debt and enforcement of a lien remain uncontested as long as the unit owner does not dispute, contest, or raise any objection, defense, offset, or counterclaim as to the amount or validity of the debt and lien asserted or the association's right to collect the debt and enforce the lien as provided in this section. The attorneys' fee limitation in this subsection shall not apply to judicial foreclosures or proceedings authorized under subsection (d) of this section or G.S. 47C?4?117.
(e1) A unit owner may not be required to pay attorneys' fees and court costs until the unit owner is notified in writing of the association's intent to seek payment of attorneys' fees and court costs. The notice must be sent by first?class mail to the property address and, if different, to the mailing address for the unit owner in the association's records. The notice shall set out the outstanding balance due as of the date of the notice and state that the unit owner has 15 days from the mailing of the notice by first?class mail to pay the outstanding balance without the attorneys' fees and court costs. If the unit owner pays the outstanding balance within this period, then the unit owner shall have no obligation to pay attorneys' fees and court costs. The notice shall also inform the unit owner of the opportunity to contact a representative of the association to discuss a payment schedule for the outstanding balance as provided in subsection (e2) of this section and shall provide the name and telephone number of the representative.
(e2) The association, acting through its executive board and in the board's sole discretion, may agree to allow payment of an outstanding balance in installments. Neither the association nor the unit owner is obligated to offer or accept any proposed installment schedule. Reasonable administrative fees and costs for accepting and processing installments may be added to the outstanding balance and included in an installment payment schedule. Reasonable attorneys' fees may be added to the outstanding balance and included in an installment schedule only after the unit owner has been given notice as required in subsection (e1) of this section.
(f) Where the holder of a first mortgage or first deed of trust of record, or other purchaser of a unit, obtains title to the unit as a result of foreclosure of a first mortgage or first deed of trust, such purchaser, and its heirs, successors and assigns, shall not be liable for the assessments against such unit which became due prior to acquisition of title to such unit by such purchaser. Such unpaid assessments shall be deemed to be common expenses collectible from all the unit owners including such purchaser, and its heirs, successors and assigns.
(g) A claim of lien shall set forth the name and address of the association, the name of the record owner of the lot at the time the claim of lien is filed, a description of the lot, and the amount of the lien claimed. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 877, s. 1; 2005?422, s. 16; 2006?226, s. 14(a).)