Finance

HOA dues: how to calculate, collect and enforce

A practical guide to setting, billing and collecting HOA dues: assessments, delinquency, liens and modern collection tools.

Setting dues that match the budget

Start from a reserve study and an honest operating budget, then divide by ownership percentage. Avoid the trap of keeping dues flat for years — it almost always ends in a painful special assessment.

When an owner stops paying

Most CC&Rs allow late fees after 15–30 days, suspension of voting rights after 60 days, and a recorded lien after 90 days. Always follow the exact notice procedure — courts are strict.

From delinquency to legal action

Demand letter → recorded lien → judicial or non-judicial foreclosure depending on state law. Document every notice with date and method — assessments are won and lost on paperwork.

Modern collection with Quorade

Quorade calculates dues by ownership share, sends automated reminders, and generates the debt certificate auditors and attorneys ask for. Average delinquency drops by ~30%.

Quorade · A Lumendra Labs product.