Homeowners in San Clemente, California, are in a dispute with their homeowners association (HOA) over a collective $5.15 million in fees levied for emergency roof replacement assessments. The 198 residents of the Villa Moura condominium complex have each been billed $26,000, with a one-month deadline to pay.
Residents claim the HOA board has not been transparent about the expenses, which they contend were foreseeable and should have been treated as routine maintenance requiring a homeowner vote, rather than an emergency. Many at the complex are seniors, and the sudden financial burden has caused significant distress. One 81-year-old resident, Beverly Albright, stated the bill could force her to sell her home.
According to homeowner Megan Blanda, the HOA has suggested residents take out loans, access retirement funds, or tap into home equity to cover the costs. Homeowners also report that the HOA has threatened to place liens on their properties for non-payment.
Another resident, Noah Martin, argued that the roofs are not in a state that warrants an emergency assessment under California law. "Clearly, it was not an emergency; it's a deferred maintenance," Martin told ABC7. "And so, then we as members should have a vote on how we want to take care of the roofs."
Residents believe that full roof replacement is unnecessary, stating the roofs do not currently leak and only require repairs to their underlayments. They also question the $26,000 price tag, with homeowner Adam Dubin advocating for competitive bidding and negotiation to ensure the best interest of homeowners, as is the HOA board's fiduciary duty.
The HOA has presented residents with three payment options: a single $26,000 payment, two installments of $13,000, or an initial six-month payment plan of $2,000 per month, followed by $400 per month thereafter. Homeowners are exploring options to challenge the HOA's decision, including recalling board members, filing claims for alleged violations of law, and considering a lawsuit.