Map Shows Where Homeowners Are Falling Behind on HOA Fees
Homeowners across the country, but especially in the South, are increasingly falling behind HOA payments, with dire consequences.
A new study reveals that a significant number of Americans are struggling to keep up with their homeowners association (HOA) payments. Between 2022 and 2025, HOA liens, which indicate a homeowner owes the HOA money, increased by 41.7 percent, rising from 177,260 in 2022 to 250,951 in 2025, according to property data platform Cotality.
HOA fees, which homeowners pay to a private organization managing their residential community, can amount to hundreds of dollars per month and have grown due to rising insurance and taxes. These dues are often overlooked by homeowners who prioritize mortgages and utilities when their budget is tight, potentially leading to unpaid fees.
HOA fees are required for properties in HOA communities, such as condos and townhomes, and have become more common in recent years, with nearly 44 percent of homes for sale in 2026 having HOA fees attached, up from 34.3 percent in 2019. The share of homes without HOA fees, or 'non-HOA' homes, is now 43.6 percent, also up from 41.9 percent in 2019.
Failure to pay HOA dues can result in a lien being placed on the home, which may eventually lead to foreclosure, particularly in states like Florida, Nevada, California, and Arizona, where the conversion rate from liens to foreclosures is high. These states have higher HOA fees relative to home prices, contributing to the issue.
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