Residents at a Southern California condo complex say their HOA's decision to treat roof work as an emergency left them facing a sudden $26,000 bill.
They argue that the charge is financially devastating, particularly in a community where many homeowners are seniors. The residents do not believe their homeowners association should require a mandatory five-figure charge.
Here's what to know
The dispute centers on Vilamoura, a 198-unit complex in San Clemente, according to ABC7.
A GoFundMe organized by residents says about 60% of homeowners are seniors.
Residents Beverly Albright and Megan Blanda said the HOA advised people who could not pay to borrow money, use savings, or tap into home equity.
"I feel like that's just unacceptable," Blanda told ABC7.
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Several residents also said they were warned that failing to pay could result in liens. Albright, who is 81, told ABC7 she may leave no choice but to sell since her options are limited as a retired single homeowner.
The HOA board said it could not speak about the situation because it was related to an ongoing legal matter.
More background
The legal fight depends on whether the roof project qualifies as an emergency. Residents said they were not aware of leaks and believed that only the underlayment, and not the roof tiles, needed to be replaced.
California law requires owner approval before an HOA can impose a special assessment that is over 5% of its annual budgeted expenses, The Mary Sue reported.
"Clearly, it was not an emergency; it's a deferred maintenance," resident Noah Martin told ABC7. "And so, then we as members should have a vote on how we want to take care of the roofs."
Where can I learn more?
This is one example of a wider conflict between homeowners and HOA boards over expensive projects and rules that affect what people can do with their properties. Similar fights have broken out over solar panels and native landscaping, with real consequences for household budgets and homeowners' control over their own homes.
• Across the U.S., HOA rules still keep some homeowners from installing rooftop solar despite promised savings.
• Homeowners have pushed back against HOA bans on native plants that lower water costs.
• Some homeowners say ditching HOAs is the simplest escape from expensive rules.
These stories point to the same underlying issue, that HOA decisions can have immediate, tangible effects on household finances.
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