A California condo owner said he was blindsided after learning he would owe more than $49,000 under a homeowners association special assessment tied to major repairs at his 499-unit complex.
The case is drawing attention because it reflects a problem for homeowners. Surprise HOA costs can leave households facing massive bills with little room to maneuver.
Here's what to know
At the Torrance property, every owner received the same assessment, according to condominium owner Stephen Wang. He said the money is meant to help pay for extensive work at the complex, including reconstructing the podium, re-piping the property, and fixing elevators, according to ABC7.
"I was shocked, as most of the residents here are," Wang said, adding that the costs mounted quickly. "The HOA decided to redo the whole podium, the entire podium, and that became a $13 million project, and plus the re-piping and the elevators, so it came up to $19 million," he said.
ABC7's Torrance report follows another California HOA dispute in San Clemente, where homeowners were facing a $25,000 special assessment per unit. Together, the cases point to the way aging buildings, deferred maintenance, and rising costs can leave residents with enormous bills.
More background
Michael Kushner, managing partner at MBK Chapman and an attorney who works on HOA issues, told ABC7 that he has been seeing more special assessments. He said rising insurance costs and California's new balcony inspection law are major factors, while also cautioning that some associations may be going beyond their authority.
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"It is a very lopsided relationship, just by virtue of the fact that the HOA has got everybody's money to play with, and the HOA has authority to issue discipline," Kushner said.
Across the country, associations have also faced criticism for preventing homeowners from making money-saving updates such as adding rooftop solar panels or replacing thirsty grass with native plant lawns. Those kinds of restrictions can keep residents from lowering utility bills, cutting water use, and making homes more resilient.
Kushner said the Davis-Stirling Act provides California homeowners with rules and protections, but ambiguity in the law can still leave room for conflict.
"There's no such thing as a perfect statute. And so HOAs will routinely take advantage of non-bright lines of a vague language, or lines that aren't too bright, to do what they want to do anyway," he said.
What can be done?
In Torrance, homeowners have already moved beyond complaints. ABC7 reported that they are suing the association and trying to recall the HOA board.
Kushner told ABC7 that owners should carefully review the annual financial disclosures HOAs must provide, especially the percentage-funded figure. He said residents should begin raising concerns if that number drops below 55%, since it can signal problems with the association's financial health and planning.
He also advised homeowners to keep all communications in writing, attend meetings, and stay involved in board decisions before costs spiral. For people trying to change restrictive bylaws or better understand their rights, working with HOAs can be an important first step.
"When it's a homeowner trying to protect their rights, yeah, the only way they're gonna be able to force an HOA to follow the law is to sue them," Kushner said.
Where can I learn more?
These disputes are part of a pattern of homeowners clashing with associations over rising costs, restrictive rules, and unclear authority. The examples below range from massive repair assessments at California condos to fights over lawns, native plants, and rooftop solar that can affect monthly bills and a home's long-term resilience.
• Another homeowner was fined over horrible lawn maintenance practices after trying to avoid wasteful upkeep.
• One resident grew frustrated when aggressive HOA restrictions blocked a money-saving rooftop solar upgrade.
• In Nebraska, lawmakers considered nullifying HOA restrictions to clear the way for home solar.
Cases like these show how much influence HOAs can have over both surprise expenses and everyday household savings. They also highlight why owners may want to read the rules closely and raise concerns early, before a disagreement turns into a costly fight.
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