being sued by hoa for nonpayment

[chrislind]

problem is, I didn't know I had an HOA. I'm out of state owner who bought home by mail. it was quickly rented by property manager and on the settlement statement there is a line item for $100 Asset Property mgmt; amongst the many many other line items and I didnt ask what this or any other line item was for. I know ignorance is no excuse so I'll pay if I have to but it seems the hoa should have tried harder to find me or title co. should have provided my address to them or something. I'm happy to pay the HOA fees($210 per yr) but the attorney fees are $800. I'm told by an HOA mgmt company employee in the same town(not the one that is suing me) that the hoa finds out who the new owner is by the title co. who sends either a settlement statement or a warranty deed; the warranty deed is not signed by me and although it has a space for my address it is not filled in; my thinking is that if this is the document the hoa rec'vd then the title company might have some liability- if it is the settlement statement the hoa mgmt co. rec'vd then that does have my current address on it. I spoke with their attorney briefly and he said they use the "last known address" so they feel it is the rental house which I've never lived in. I know that I should have asked for the definition of every single line item on the closing statement( that would have only taken about 4 hrs) but it seems like either the HOA mgmt co. or the title co. may have dropped the ball as well- What do you folks think?

Sounds like you answered your own questions. I know HOAs are a ***** but you probably have no leg to stand on here. You need to attend the next meeting if you possibly can. But in the end you will probably have to pay it. You could also ask them for proof that they sent information to you on the HOA. They should be keeping good records on this.

I agree!

thank you for responding- the attorney sounded like he might have had a little room on his charges if it sounded like I was going to "work " with him-