Texas disabled Navy veteran sues HOA, says shifting charges drove her to sell home

For millions of homeowners, a dispute with a homeowners association can mean far more than neighborhood politics. In some cases, it can determine whether someone can afford to remain in their home at all.

In Texas, disabled Navy veteran Karina Miller says disputed HOA fees and debt collection tactics became so difficult that she ultimately sold her condominium.

Here's what to know

According to Military.com, Miller says she moved into the Lafayette Place HOA community in 2019 and sold her condo in October 2025. She sued the Lafayette Place Homeowners Association in Bexar County over charges she says were improper and collection efforts she describes as aggressive.

According to Miller, fees would show up on her account and then vanish, and she says she was unable to access the HOA's online resident portal for about 10 months.

She also says the association sought $350 in late fees at one point even though, according to her, those charges had not been disclosed beforehand.

In response, the HOA has rejected Miller's allegations.

Mike Thurman, an attorney with Thurman & Phillips, P.C., the firm representing the Lafayette Place Homeowners Association and its board of directors, said, "Unfortunately, the association cannot comment on the substance of the pending suit other than to say, the association is aware of the claims and looks forward to defending the lawsuit. The association unequivocally denies the allegations made by Ms. Miller and her attorneys."

The case is unfolding as HOAs account for a growing share of U.S. housing. U.S. Census data shows the percentage of newly built single-family homes in HOAs rose from 49% in 2009 to 65% in 2023.

More background

The federal government does not track how many veterans live in HOA communities. But as these associations become more common, more residents are subject to board rules, dues systems, and enforcement processes that can bring significant financial consequences.

Before turning to the courts, Miller said she tried to settle the dispute through mediation, but the process did not lead to a resolution.

"There was no opportunity to reconcile the situation, so I had to leave," Miller said. "I tried mediation. They asked to reschedule mediation. We rescheduled, and then they didn't show up. Their attorneys would never respond to my inquiries, just for itemized billing."

Nicole Maesse, a lawyer with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid who is helping Miller, said that many HOAs "create these mini-governments in these communities."

She added, "And they really have a lot of authority and a lot of power."

Across the country, HOAs have also faced criticism for blocking or discouraging money-saving home improvements, including rooftop solar panels and native plant lawns, even though those upgrades can lower utility bills, reduce outdoor water use, and make homes more resilient.

What can be done?

Residents hoping to make cleaner, lower-cost upgrades may also need to work strategically within association rules.

Lawsuits such as Miller's can put pressure on associations to be more transparent about fees, collections, and residents' access to account information.

Clearer rules and stronger oversight could help reduce the risk of homeowners being blindsided by debts they say they never fully understood.

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