Black Woman From North Carolina Loses Her Home Over Unpaid $400 HOA Fees

Nationwide — Taylor Sanders, an African American woman from Weddington, North Carolina, lost her home after failing to pay a $400 fee to her neighborhood homeowner’s association (HOA). Her 3,300-square-foot home was later flipped for nearly $900,000, leaving her with nothing.

The issue began five years ago when the HOA claimed Sanders owed $400 in unpaid dues. She said she never received the notices but acknowledged the debt. In February 2021, the HOA placed a lien on her property. By April, she was told she owed $1,200, and foreclosure proceedings would start.

Thinking it was a misunderstanding, Sanders ignored the warning. Her home was eventually sold for $49,000, and the new owner flipped it for $850,000 just five months later. Now, Sanders is sharing her story to warn others about the risks of ignoring HOA notices.

“This is just the beginning,” she told WSOC-TV. “I want to make sure I educate other people. I want to make sure they know about it. I want them to know their rights.”

The Weddington Hills HOA declined to comment. Under North Carolina law, HOAs can foreclose on properties if fees go unpaid. Though the intent is usually to resolve disputes, homeowners often don’t understand their rights until it’s too late.

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would strengthen homeowner protections. The proposed law would require HOAs to meet stricter criteria before placing liens and provide clearer notice about the consequences of unpaid dues. However, the bill has been stalled in the Legislature since last May.