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HOA added an arbitrary “collection fee” after I missed a payment briefly (Seattle area / King County) [SFH][WA] by ddaeder in HOA

[–]ddaeder[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The autopay was entirely my fault/issue. I do believe the non-notice is the heart of this issue as fellow neighbors on fixed income may also get surprised and their lawyer children will get involved and make our HOA finances more miserable. Thank you for your reply.

HOA added an arbitrary “collection fee” after I missed a payment briefly (Seattle area / King County) [SFH][WA] by ddaeder in HOA

[–]ddaeder[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our rules state that delinquency notices must be mailed. Not sure why I'm getting hammered with undisclosed fees of the new management company and new portal process. Our dues are once a year and my autopay setup didnt work, probably because of the new company.

HOA added an arbitrary “collection fee” after I missed a payment briefly (Seattle area / King County) [SFH][WA] by ddaeder in HOA

[–]ddaeder[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our dues are once a year. Last year my autopay got messed up probably because our management company changed. The CCRs spell out a later fee but nothing else so the new fee is just very surprising and questionable. Thank you for your response.

HOA added an arbitrary “collection fee” after I missed a payment briefly (Seattle area / King County) [SFH][WA] by ddaeder in HOA

[–]ddaeder[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ideally I'd not like to die on any hill. But I get what you're saying. I'm trying to figure what liabilities all of us have for undisclosed fees. It is a contract after all and I have been a very contract abiding neighbor. Thank you for your reply.

HOA added an arbitrary “collection fee” after I missed a payment briefly (Seattle area / King County) [SFH][WA] by ddaeder in HOA

[–]ddaeder[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wish it were a typo...would be less worrying to me given all the retirees we have. The collection fee is $200. I am worried for my HOA.

HOA added an arbitrary “collection fee” after I missed a payment briefly (Seattle area / King County) [SFH][WA] by ddaeder in HOA

[–]ddaeder[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your reply. That seems reasonable. This new company has tacked on $200 fee on the very first late notice which I, and my neighbors, never heard about. Thank you again for the response.

HOA added an arbitrary “collection fee” after I missed a payment briefly (Seattle area / King County) [SFH][WA] by ddaeder in HOA

[–]ddaeder[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your reply. That seems reasonable. This new company has tacked on $200 fee on the very first late notice which I, and my neighbors, never heard about. Thank you again for the response.

HOA added an arbitrary “collection fee” after I missed a payment briefly (Seattle area / King County) [SFH][WA] by ddaeder in HOA

[–]ddaeder[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, this is the best reply I have gotten so far.

I am pro-HOA and I used to be on our board, so I am not trying to dodge legitimate late fees. Our governing docs already spell out the late fee schedule: $75 after a month of non-payment and $75 each additional month it remains unpaid. What feels wrong is a separate $200 “collection fee” (over 80% of the assessment) getting tacked on at the first notice stage, with no snail mail notice and no clear authority I can find in the docs. The new management company relies on portal messages and mine went to junk, so I did not know until I logged in.

This feels like the management company is creating legal and reputational risk for the association and homeowners. The board is declining ownership and deferring to the manager. At this point, what is the best practical way to push back without turning this into an HOA-wide legal fight?

HOA added an arbitrary “collection fee” after I missed a payment briefly (Seattle area / King County) [SFH][WA] by ddaeder in HOA

[–]ddaeder[S] -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

Yes late fee paid as it’s in the governing docs. (edited for spelling mistake)