'I owe the HOA $0.01': Resident discovers his annual HOA maintenance fees were $161.64 instead of the $161.63 amount he paid, prepares to fight back

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Feb 21, 2025 2:00 PM EST

Let this story serve as yet another unfortunate reminder that the vast majority of HOA fees are, more often than not, unnecessary. 

As with most HOA stories, this one involves an unnecessary fee, a miscommunication, and an ever so slightly rebellious resident who was not going to take it anymore. Coming across these vile HOA debacles, as someone who has thankfully never resided in an HOA neighborhood, can only instill fear in younger folks who hope to purchase their own homes one day… only, let's be honest, that day is unlikely to transpire. 

Keep scrolling below to see how this resident plans to ignore the negligible amount of $0.01 that he owes his HOA… 

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  • 01
    "I am envisioning lots of creative ways to settle up this outstanding balance" DOLLARS
    via Money Knack

  • These neighborhood residents usually receive notice from their property manager on December 27th concerning what the increased maintenance fees for the following year will be. It sounds like these increases are mostly accepted by the residents in the community, were it not for the tight turnaround they have to pay that fee (the deadline is always January 1st.)

    To notify all residents in the neighborhood of an upcoming invoice during the final week of the year between Christmas and New Year's—the week when everyone should be left alone—is, to put it mildly, an easy way to turn a community against you. 

  • 02
    I've owned my condo for 20 years, it's a silly place and a money pit but I love this neighborhood and my neighbors.
    via charmparticle
  • 03
    Every year our HOA fees rise. Aging building issues, property security, maintenance on the pool and hot tub and landscape.
    via charmparticle
  • 04
    The property manager sends out a spreadsheet of updated fees for the new year on Dec 27, a tight deadline to update our payments due on Jan 1. I updated my payment on time. A neighbor
    via charmparticle
  • 05
    pointed out that property manager had made a mistake on the spreadsheet and we owe 161.64 instead of 161.63 as listed on the spreadsheet. I updated my payment again, but the autopay had already been sent for Jan 1.
    via charmparticle
  • 06
    Now my account is all paid up except for .01. I am envisioning lots of creative ways to settle up this outstanding balance if the HOA board comes after me for delinquency.
    via charmparticle
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10470622976
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)
  • 08
    . gextyr 1d ago Send them a certified check for $0.02 via registered mail. Once it clears, demand a refund for the accidental overpayment.
    via charmparticle
  • 09
    WhatsMyNameAg... • 1d ago I over paid my American Express bill by one cent when I was still in the military...a long time ago in a country far away. They sent me a check for that one cent six months later. It cost them something like $.29 to send it to me...not to mention the processing of it.
    via charmparticle
  • 10
    PhoenixJive · 1d ago • Definitely ask about a payment plan. And if it's not available, pay by cheque.
    via charmparticle
  • 11
    PSUAth 1d ago How is your HOA board? are they reasonable people or do they tend to be have large sticks associated with a certain part of their body?
    via charmparticle
  • 12
    If they are somewhat chill, i'd just ask them to forgive that 1 cent as it was an error on their part.
    via charmparticle
  • 13
    Our HOA pretty much wipes away any debt that's less than $5. our dues are round numbers like $45 or $120 (we have single family and carriage homes), so I don't get how people get accounts that are off by like $2.73.
    via charmparticle
  • 14
    • dasirishviking 1d ago I was in Okinawa back in '03 and part of coming back was making sure your phone bill was paid. Phone company signed off I was paid in full. Got the stamp and the letter. Turned both into my command, and boom, I had seat on the freedom bird.
    via charmparticle
  • 15
    A year later I got a certified letter from the company stating I owed them 4 yen. Less than 4 pennies. It was printed on NICE paper and a heavy duty envelope.
    via charmparticle
  • 16
    International postage was insane. But they just had to have that 4 yen. Cost them way more to recover. It is the Japanese way. Got ahold of an old until buddy, and he paid it. Said next round was on me next time I saw him. Never did see him again.
    via charmparticle
  • 17
    thomascameron • 1d ago Over pay by a penny so that they have to endure the expense and hassle of cutting you a check and paying for postage.
    via charmparticle
  • 18
    Intrepid00 1d ago • Seems like a lot of effort on your part for the Condo that isn't going to give a how you pay one penny.
    via charmparticle
  • 19
    Electronic-Bee2484 1d ago • Is everyone missing the fact that the HOA billed him for the wrong amount. He paid it, so, legally, he is not delinquent. It was the HOA's mistake. They should just request the additional amount for the next bill.
    via charmparticle

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