A Union County woman claims that a disagreement with her Homeowners Association (HOA) over a few hundred dollars in unpaid dues led to her family losing their home, per The Sun. Taylor Sanders was residing in Weddington Hills in 2020 and acknowledges that she owed the HOA money. According to HOA records, her outstanding balance was $400.

“They said it hadn’t been paid for a year,” she explained. The HOA sent her several letters regarding the dues, but she told Action 9 investigator Jason Stoogenke that she never received them. The situation escalated from there. In February 2021, the board placed a lien on her property, and by April, she received a letter stating that her debt had accrued to around $1,200 and that they were moving forward with foreclosure proceedings. “I thought it was a joke,” she said.

County records indicate that her 3,300-square-foot home was sold for $49,000. Records reveal that the individual who purchased the house resold it five months later for $850,000. “Oh my God. It’s devastating for my children,” she said. “I don’t wish this on anyone.” Sanders is now determined to educate other homeowners about the risks of neglecting HOA correspondence.

Under current North Carolina law, HOAs are permitted to place a lien on a property if a homeowner does not pay their dues and fees. If the payments are still outstanding, the HOA can begin foreclosure proceedings. Homeowners who disagree with HOA’s decision have the option to appeal to the board or advocate for a vote to modify the rules. North Carolina lawmakers are currently evaluating a bill aimed at preventing such drastic measures.

#Clique, what are your thoughts?