Longtime Condo Owner Facing Foreclosure for Unpaid Common Fees

M.L. from Fairfield County, Connecticut writes:

Dear Mister Condo,

I was served with foreclosure papers for back common charges fees of $4,300.00. Can I still work something out with the lawyer to keep my condo? I’ve been living here for 24 years.

Mister Condo replies:

M.L., $4,300.00 is an awful large amount of unpaid common fees. I am sorry you find yourself so far in arrears and facing a foreclosure notice. You can always offer a repayment plan to the association’s attorney but that attorney would only be able to act in the best interest of the association. With that much money at stake, my guess is that unless you were able to make a large lump sum payment, the attorney would likely advise the association to continue with their foreclosure action against you. After all, the monies collected from common fees are used for a wide variety of common expenses. Without your contribution into that fund, the association is facing the possibility of default on its own financial obligations. Delinquent common fees cause a spiral of bad side effects for both the unit owner and the association to which they belong. Foreclosure is the final tool of the association to create a return of expected revenue from your unit. Of course, if you can make a payment and get yourself current, the association attorney may be swayed to recommend the association give you another chance to remain a member. After all, you have been a part of the community for 24 years. Best wishes!