HOA threatens to put a lien on a couple's home, only for the couple to find out that joining the HOA is voluntary: ‘Who knows how many other properties they are doing this to’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Oct 11, 2025 6:00 PM EDT

If you didn't know that "voluntary" HOAs were a thing, welcome to the club. The more you know…

I don't think I've ever read a good story about an HOA where the residents who lived in said HOA had a single positive experience. This isn't to say that all HOAs are inherently evil, but there's definitely a space down under (and I'm not talking about Australia) for the few who try to take advantage of their residents. It's almost like folks in the real estate field have no moral loyalty to their clients…

The couple in this next story signed on a house and were told it was part of an HOA community they must join. Fine, easy. When the HOA board begins to fine and cite violations of the HOA rules, then threatens a lien on their home, the couple finds out that this HOA is voluntary. The proof is in the pudding…

Now, the couple has hired a lawyer to take down the crooked folks who failed to mention this. Are they one of many couples who have been scammed into abiding by optional rules?

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  • "We are about to sue them."
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • "Voluntary HOA pretends not to be"

    Partner and I bought a house, was told the HOA had disbanded/was no longer active. No
    via hammyjam3
  • issues for 4 years until they decide to be active. Whatever, its only $25 a year so we pay because
    via hammyjam3
  • why the h I would we risk a lien on our home for that amount?
    via hammyjam3
  • After getting fined and dealing with the violations (which involved using all money in our
    via hammyjam3
  • savings) the HOA sent a 2nd letter saying they were going to put a lien on the house for the violations we had dealt with.
    via hammyjam3
  • Did a consultation with a lawyer and in prepping for that my partner found out its a voluntary HOA. We
    via hammyjam3
  • requested a meeting with them and brought proof our parcel has never signed the
    via hammyjam3
  • documents joining it but they refused to even look at them. Apparently they think buying the
    via hammyjam3
  • house automatically enters you into the, again, voluntary HOA.
    via hammyjam3
  • I believe it has now been 3 weeks since our lawyer sent a certified letter demanding our
    via hammyjam3
  • money back including past dues paid with no response. Our neighbor is sort of in
    via hammyjam3
  • the same situation as she is accumulating fines and her parcel never signed the
    via hammyjam3
  • documents. Her lawyer reached out and the HOA'S lawyer responded by saying well im busy
    via hammyjam3
  • it might be awhile before I can get back to you.
    via hammyjam3
  • lawyer giving advice to client about a legal path forward against the defendant
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Anyways, depending how things go with this letter we are about to sue them.
    via hammyjam3
  • Who knows how many other properties they are doing this to.
    via hammyjam3
  • sjclynn Funny how when it comes to violations and fines you have days, perhaps just hours, to comply, but when performance on their part is required, "I'm busy it might be a while before I can get back to you" is acceptable for them.
    via sjclynn
  • hammyjam3 Yeah we tried asking them like hey is there any way to extend this deadline so we can get family and friends to help, if we have to complete in deadline this will bankrupt us. Their response boiled down to we dont care.
    via hammyjam3
  • Dragonstaff Maybe someone's friend or family wants your house.
    via Dragonstaff
  • hammyjam3 Doubt it, we have lived there since 2018. Its a manufactured house as well w
    via hammyjam3
  • mybreakfastiscold What state? Has your lawyer said anything about this HOA committing fraud? How many units are in the supposed purview of this voluntary HOA?
    via mybreakfastiscold
  • hammyjam3 Washington. She agreed we aren't part of the HOA, which is included in the letter she sent. Its pretty small overall, maybe 170 lots.
    via hammyjam3
  • DeWin1970 Lawsuit city, demand a full financials audit, I suspect fraudulent embezzlement.
    via DeWin1970
  • Trivi_13 Is there any way to declare a due date and start charging credit card level interest?
    via Trivi_13
  • hammyjam3 If it comes to the point of us having to sue them in court, we will be asking for lawyer fees, work time missed, and compensation for the stress. We would obviously bring up their failure to respond in a timely manner. We just want this sh behind us and not have to deal with them anymore, plus taking them to court is going to cost a lot up front, even though we know we would win.
    via hammyjam3

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