HOA Foreclosure Filings Surge Nearly 40% in Two Years

In some states, falling behind on homeowners association (HOA) dues could lead to foreclosure on your home or condo, even if you have kept up with every mortgage payment.

And HOA-related foreclosure filings are on the rise.

In the first quarter of 2026, 6,376 properties had HOA-related foreclosure filings. That is almost 40% more than two years earlier, according to real estate analytics firm ATTOM.

Paying dues to an HOA is a fact of life for many Americans, and the number of people living in these communities has changed considerably over the years.

In 1970, only 2.1 million Americans lived in 10,000 community associations. Today, an estimated 78.1 million people live in 373,000 associations nationwide, according to the Foundation for Community Association Research. That amounts to about 23% of the U.S. population.

The number of residents and associations have both grown more than 37-fold since 1970.

The amount homeowners pay in dues is all over the map. Among homes listed for sale with HOA fees, the median monthly fee was $135 nationwide in 2025, but the typical bill was several times higher in some markets. In the Naples–Marco Island, Florida, metro area, for example, the median was $711.

But skip too many payments, and an HOA may place a lien on your property or move to foreclose. Some associations are pursuing unpaid dues more aggressively because they are dealing with higher insurance, maintenance, and reserve costs of their own.

How soon an HOA may move against a home or condo owner who does not pay dues depends on the state where the resident lives.

In most states, HOAs must give homeowners 30 to 45 days’ notice before filing a lien or having an attorney start foreclosure proceedings, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Florida, for example, requires an HOA to wait 45 days after providing a homeowner with a notice of intent to foreclose, according to Nolo.

In about 20 states, an HOA may also be able to place a “super lien” on a home. A legally defined portion of that lien can take priority over a mortgage recorded earlier. The amount covered and other details vary by state.

Foreclosure is not the only possible outcome. Some HOAs will work with residents who cannot pay because of financial hardship. A homeowner may be offered a payment plan to catch up on overdue dues rather than being pushed immediately toward foreclosure.

Here are some practical steps homeowners and condo owners can take after receiving a delinquency or lien notice from an HOA.

First, take a deep breath and check that the notice is correct. Go over every overdue assessment, fine, late fee, and legal charge. Make sure the amount due is accurate and that the HOA credited every payment you made.

Gather up your documents. Find the letters and emails you have exchanged with the HOA, along with payment receipts and bank statements. You want your paper trail to be as thorough and accurate as possible.

Then ask the HOA for an itemized statement and the amount needed to bring the account current. If paying the full balance is not immediately possible, tell the association about your financial situation and ask for a payment plan.

Request that the HOA reduce or remove late fees charged to the account. If attorney fees have already been added, ask whether those charges can be lowered, too. Either type of reduction would cut the amount you need to repay.

Most importantly, do not ignore a lien or foreclosure notice. Community association laws and deadlines vary by state.

Consider reaching out to a local attorney who handles HOA or condominium-association disputes. A lawyer can review the charges and notices, explain the laws that apply to your case, and help you understand your remaining options.