As promised a few weeks back, we need to discuss some very interesting pitfalls associations sometimes fall into in the area of collections. In light of the fact that mortgage delinquencies are at an all-time high, rest assured that owners will in a short while begin falling behind on condo and HOA assessments as well.
The association must accept even partial payments.
Suppose the assessments are $300.00 per month. An owner has not paid in 3 months and owes $900.00 plus late fees and interest. The owner sends in a payment for $300.00. Must the association accept the $300.00 payment? YES.
In Ocean Two Condominium Ass’n, Inc. v. Kliger, 983 So.2d 739 (Fla.App. 3 Dist.,2008) the court held that the refusal of a condominium association and its management company of tendered payments of undisputed maintenance fees by condominium unit owners was improper and rendered premature the association’s lien foreclosure action involving owners’ units.. The condominium statute provided that such payments were to be applied on account, without prejudice to association’s and unit owners’ respective positions. In this case, the dispute would have been reduced to an inconsequential amount, and association’s attorneys could not in good faith have filed to foreclose the miniscule claim remaining. West’s F.S.A. § 718.116(3).
The association should not worry about restrictive endorsements.
Same scenario as above, but this time, the owner writes “paid in full” on the $300.00 check. Should the association deposit the check? If they do, are they now prevented from suing for the $600.00 balance?
The condo and HOA statutes each provide the methods by which to apply assessments that are paid. Each statute makes it clear that they are to be applied in accordance with the statute, and any purported accord and satisfaction, or any restrictive endorsement, designation, or instruction placed on or accompanying a payment. In simple terms, after applying the payment, the balance is still owed despite the words “paid in full” or similar words being placed on the check.
The association must apply the monies in accordance with the statute.
Same scenario as above, but the owner has also incurred $200.00 in attorney’s fees, $10.00 in interest and $75.00 in late fees. How much does the owner owe to the association after making the $300.00 payment?
The statute says……….Assessments and installments on assessments which are not paid when due bear interest at the rate provided in the declaration, from the due date until paid. The rate may not exceed the rate allowed by law, and, if no rate is provided in the declaration, interest accrues at the rate of 18 percent per year. If provided by the declaration or bylaws, the association may, in addition to such interest, charge an administrative late fee of up to the greater of $25 or 5 percent of each delinquent installment for which the payment is late. Any payment received by an association must be applied first to any interest accrued by the association, then to any administrative late fee, then to any costs and reasonable attorney fees incurred in collection, and then to the delinquent assessment.
LEAVE YOUR ANSWER IN THE COMMENTS SECTION
