An Irvine, California, condo buyer says what appeared to be a roughly $400 monthly HOA turned into two associations after escrow closed, with an extra $58 fee discovered only after the deal was done.
Because the purchase had already pushed the buyer's budget, the newly surfaced fee raised concerns about whether all costs were properly disclosed before the sale was finalized.
Here's what to know
According to the buyer, the extra fee came to light only after the transaction was complete. Until then, they said, the listing, the escrow process, and the HOA documents had all pointed to a single association, including paperwork showing a $403 monthly assessment.
In Reddit's r/HOA forum, the buyer said staying below $400 in HOA dues had been a priority, writing, "I never wanted to go beyond $400." They said the additional fee was "an added burden for me," especially after stretching beyond budget to buy the condo in Irvine.
Several commenters focused less on the fee's size than on the paper trail. One commenter asked, "Didn't the Title Insurance do a Title Search which would have indicated this additional HOA?" Another replied, "This is a claim against the title insurance."
More background
Some commenters said having more than one HOA is not especially rare in certain developments. One described communities where condos, townhomes, and detached homes each belong to their own association but also contribute to a master HOA for shared amenities or insurance.
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In that setup, the added charge could belong to what one commenter called "likely a Master Association," covering things like roads, retention ponds, storm sewers, or recreational areas. If that is what happened here, the dispute may be less about the fee itself than about the buyer's claim that it wasn't clearly disclosed before closing.
The buyer also said the deal came with other frustrations on top of a strained budget. In the Reddit post, they described incorrect details, including additional parking carports, the seller keeping the keys through closing day, moving out the next day, and leaving belongings behind.
Unexpected HOA costs can also affect what homeowners can do to lower future expenses. Across the country, HOAs have faced criticism for blocking money-saving changes such as rooftop solar panels or native plant lawns. When an extra $58 a month already matters, those restrictions can add to the squeeze. Homeowners navigating association rules can learn more about working with HOAs.
What can be done?
The buyer said the first word from their escrow representative was that the listing agent said there was only one HOA applied. After checking again, the representative later reported the listing agent located a second association and that its documents were being ordered.
Commenters said the next step is to compare those documents with the title file and sales paperwork. One commenter wrote, "Each HOA should be a separate corporate entity. There should be Secretary of State documents, governing documents, budgets, reserve studies, minutes, etc."
The buyer also said they have MetLife Legal Plans, which commenters viewed as a practical place to start before paying out of pocket. As one put it, "So it sounds like you can talk to a lawyer for free, that seems like a good place to start."
Another commenter urged the buyer to confirm a key detail before pursuing any claim, asking, "It's definitely a second HOA and not just a second assessment?" That distinction could determine whether the issue comes down to disclosure, documentation, or how the fees were described during escrow.
The buyer wrote, "My main concern is the additional HOA burden that I may have to pay for the lifetime of owning the property, especially since HOA fees can increase over time,"
Where can I learn more?
Other HOA disputes show how hidden fees and shifting rules can create headaches after move-in.
• One homeowner said an HOA left them paying for electricity through a dangerous shared setup.
• After years of dues, one resident said steep maintenance fees kept climbing without clear answers.
• In California, residents said HOAs forced homeowners through ridiculous hoops before allowing rooftop solar panels.
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