California condo owners erupt as HOA hits them with sudden $5M charges, threats

California condo owners are revolting after their homeowners association slapped them with more than $5 million in emergency charges for new roofs, with some residents fearing they could lose their homes if they can’t cough up the cash.

Each homeowner at the 198-unit Villa Moura condominium complex in Orange County neighborhood San Clemente was hit with an assessment of more than $26,000 to cover the roofing project, according to ABC7.

Residents are now challenging the hefty bill, arguing the work does not qualify as an emergency and questioning whether the HOA board legally imposed the assessment.

For 81-year-old resident Beverly Albright, the unexpected expense could mean giving up the home she worked hard to keep.

“I will have to move. And this was my… I’ve worked very hard to make it so that I could be here,” Albright told the outlet.

Other homeowners fear Albright will not be the only one struggling to come up with the money.

“They’re not going to be able to afford this, and the board’s response is to take out a loan, or take out equity of your house, or dip into your retirement, and I feel like that’s just unacceptable,” homeowner Megan Blanda added.

Residents are seeking to recall members of the HOA board and have filed a claim alleging that the HOA violated the law by imposing the assessment.

Homeowner Noah Martin said the roof work does not meet the requirements for an emergency under California regulations and argued residents should instead have been given a say in how the project was handled.

“It didn’t fit under the California Code of Regulations, 5610. Clearly, it was not an emergency; it’s a deferred maintenance. And so, then we as members should have a vote on how we want to take care of the roofs,” Martin explained to ABC7.

Residents also claim the HOA has threatened to place liens on the properties of owners who fail to pay.

The homeowners contend the board has known for years that repairs would eventually be needed on the complex’s tile roofs.

They also argue the roofs are not leaking and that the underlayment needs to be replaced rather than all of the tiles.

Homeowner Adam Dubin told the outlet that residents want the association to solicit competing bids for the project instead.

“What we would like to do is have multiple bids competitively submitted and actually negotiate those bids in the best interest of the homeowners. As the board should be doing with their fiduciary responsibilities to us,” Dubin said.

Residents said they were offered three ways to cover the assessment: Pay the more than $26,000 upfront, divide it into two payments, or add more than $2,000 to their monthly payment for six months, followed by an additional $400 thereafter.

For Albright, none provides an easy answer.

“Retired, single, what, lose my house? I wouldn’t qualify for a loan to refinance. So where do you go?” she asked.

Residents told ABC7 they’re considering filing a lawsuit against the board as they continue fighting the assessment.

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