California · HOACalifornia HOA assessment liens: a recorded notice and no foreclosure below $1,800 or 12 months

In a California common interest development, the assessment plus collection costs, late charges and interest becomes a lien on the owner's separate interest once the association records a notice of delinquent assessment with the county recorder, stating the amounts, a legal description and the record owner's name, with the itemized statement of charges attached (Civil Code §5675(a)–(b)). A copy of the recorded notice must be mailed by certified mail to every owner of record within 10 calendar days after recording (§5675(e)). For assessment debts arising on or after January 1, 2006, an association can't use judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure to collect delinquent regular or special assessments under $1,800, excluding accelerated assessments, late charges, fees, attorney's fees and interest (§5720(b)). It may record a lien but can't foreclose until the assessments secured reach $1,800 or are more than 12 months delinquent, and it must offer dispute resolution before recording the lien (§5720(b)(2)).