"More Homeowners, Associations Clashing" - Foreclosed over $150

[mulethree]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040201/ap_on_bi_ge/home_foreclosures_1

"Now, months after moving in, they've lost their home to a wealthy buyer of foreclosed properties and been ordered off the property over what started as $120 in back association dues"

"The Radcliffs received a bill last year for $120, which covers annual costs of keeping up a country subdivision in the foothills of Calaveras County. But they didn't pay it quickly, claiming sickness and distraction, then saying they didn't see most of the late notices and warnings of increasing danger. Deadlines passed and the bill swelled with fees from the collection agency, eventually reaching $1,952."

"Macomber said Anita Radcliff walked a $156 check to the association office last June, within the required 30-day notice of delinquency. But he said the association mailed it to the collection agency, Coast Assessment of Garden Grove, which returned it, saying the amount fell short of new late fees.

"The payment made was $1.50 less than the invoice presented," Macomber said."

" "The record shows the owners received all the notices they were required to receive by law. The law was complied with," said Woodbury, who advises hundreds of California's 36,000 homeowner associations. "

"As one in six Americans live under private rules of 260,000 homeowners associations, such foreclosures by an aggressive and some say predatory collection industry that pursues back dues have become more common. In the past three years, homeowners in Las Vegas, San Diego, St. Petersburg, Fla., and Houston have lost homes over sums as small as $81"