Georgia Couple Fights Foreclosure Over Disputed $20K HOA Bill

A Georgia couple is locked in a legal battle to save their first home from foreclosure, facing a disputed homeowners association (HOA) bill that has allegedly escalated from approximately $8,000 to nearly $20,000.

Tatiana Pimentel and Obren Cicmil purchased their townhouse in the Whitehall Forest community in DeKalb County in 2024. However, less than a year later, the Whitehall Forest East Condominium Association initiated foreclosure proceedings, claiming Pimentel and Cicmil owed significant back dues.

Pimentel stated that the HOA's current claim of around $20,000 includes alleged unpaid dues, monthly assessments, and legal fees. She expressed confusion over how the debt reached such a high amount, especially since her closing documents reportedly indicated a zero-dollar HOA balance at the time of purchase.

Adding to the complexity, state records cited by Atlanta News First suggested the association had been dissolved in 2021 and was not active when Pimentel bought the property. The HOA's initial foreclosure filing in October 2025 sought nearly $8,000, with court documents alleging Pimentel was more than four years behind on payments, despite her owning the home for less than two years.

Dean Heard, who owns two units in the community, reportedly reinstated the HOA in 2024 and assumed its presidency shortly after Pimentel's purchase. However, some residents told the outlet they did not recall electing Heard and had not received notice of a community vote. Heard acknowledged that homeowners did not elect him, explaining that he took over the presidency after the previous president was removed.

The couple found legal representation through Candace Sneed of DeKalb Pro Bono, who is defending them without charge. Sneed noted the unusual nature of a homeowner potentially losing their property over an undisclosed assessment and took the case after private firms declined it.

In court on August 24, the couple requested a jury trial, which was opposed by the association's attorney. A decision was postponed by the judge pending further review, with the couple due back in court on September 23.

The couple's title insurer has offered $9,600 to help cover the disputed dues, but the association continues to pursue thousands of dollars in attorneys' fees. Pimentel is holding the check as a gesture of good faith while the litigation continues.

The foreclosure dispute occurs against a backdrop of broader financial difficulties within the Whitehall Forest community. As of March, the community had accumulated a reported $5.1 million in past-due water bills and owed an additional $24,000 for trash collection, according to DeKalb County.

The HOA charges residents $143 monthly for water, trash collection, lawn care, and roof repairs. However, Heard stated that approximately 60% of the community's 100 homeowners are withholding their dues, citing distrust or lack of recollection regarding the current leadership.

Monthly water costs for the development range from $16,000 to $20,000, with the HOA contributing only about $1,000 to $2,000. Persistent leaks are suspected to be contributing to the high water expenses, though the exact financial impact remains unclear. DeKalb County officials have indicated that the unpaid water balance is being covered by a fund supported by all county water customers.

Heard maintains that the association has followed its bylaws and that foreclosure decisions are made by its legal counsel. Sneed, however, contends that the HOA's financial records do not substantiate the debt claimed against Pimentel.

Georgia has recently enacted legislation to enhance HOA oversight, with the new regulations set to take full effect in January 2027.