Payment Obligation

[adviceplease]

i have lived in a condominium in new carrollton, maryland since 1990. each month we must pay a condo fee of $226 or $239,if the payment is after the 15th of the month. i try to pay on time but, will not hesitate to pay the late fee when approriate. i was notified by a law office on 1/31/01 that i was $451.22 in arrears ($411.22 assessments,40.00 legal charges). it further states if payment is not received within 30 days, a coniminium lien and/or civil suit will be filed against me. this came as a surprise since it was the first notification (very harsh penalty) that i had ever received of this nature. i contacted my codominium association office as was told i owed for one month in june 1999 and april 2000 but was never notified because there was not an experienced accountant/book keeper on duty. my question is, am i obligated, after checking my files for efficiency, to pay this debt immediately for which i was never notified of prior to now and on what terms? i had no knowledge that i had missed (if this is correct) two months! an expedious response would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[LL]

Except for the case where the legal fees are not authorized by your condominium documents, yes you must pay it and in time.

If you claim that you sent a check and the HOA didn't receive it, you cn usually appeal to the Board of Directors to reverse any fine or fee just for goodwill, but your credit isn't good.

Paying your assessments late including a late payment fee is not really an option. The payment is due on the due date.