Warning for homeowners who are not paying their HOA dues

Article Courtesy of Channel 5 -- Boca Raton

By Matthew Harris 

Published September 24, 2012 

 Watch VIDEO

  

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Junita Kehrer loves living steps away from the ocean!

"I go to the ocean, I like to swim, I do my exercise."

But after Tuesday, she could be forced out of her ocean view condo. It's scheduled to be auctioned off in Palm Beach County.

 

"It's very scary. This is my home," Kehrer said. 

Her HOA received a final judgment to foreclose on her condo. It claims she owes more than $9,000 in past dues and legal fees. 

“I was horrified, absolutely horrified. As far as I know, I do not owe them anything," Kehrer said. 

But a judge ruled in the HOA’s favor, after Kehrer never showed up to court. 

   
"At this point in time, the association is attempting to foreclosure. They have the final judgment and then take ownership, literally at the courthouse stairs and kick her out," her attorney Adam Katz said. 

Katz is working to save her home, but warns others not to fall behind on their payments. 

"Certainly treat those dues as if it's your mortgage. Because the repercussions, whether it's attorneys fees, whether it's litigation, are pretty stringent and severe. And this day in age, believe it or not, associations are prosecuting even more diligently than banks if you don't pay your mortgage," Katz said. 

“I can't hardly sleep. And I cry myself to sleep half the time," Kehrer said. 

“If you're in a position where you're not paying your dues, call the president, the next board meeting, attend that board meeting. Be preemptive, because you do not want it to go legal,” Katz said. 

Katz said he is in talks with the HOA’s counsel, hoping to find a resolution before Tuesday morning's auction.