Maine · HOAMaine condo assessment liens: automatic, behind the first mortgage, enforceable for six years

Under the Maine Condominium Act, the association has a lien on a unit for any assessment levied against it or fines imposed on its owner from the time the assessment or fine becomes due, and the lien may be foreclosed like a mortgage (33 M.R.S. §1603-116(a)). Recording the declaration is record notice and perfection of the lien, with no further claim of lien required (§1603-116(d)). The lien is prior to other liens except those recorded before the declaration, a first mortgage recorded before or after the date the assessment became delinquent, and real estate taxes (§1603-116(b)). It is extinguished unless proceedings to enforce it start within 6 years after the full amount of the assessments becomes due (§1603-116(e)). On written request the association must furnish a recordable statement of unpaid assessments within 10 business days, binding on the association, the board and every owner (§1603-116(h)). After a foreclosure sale under 14 M.R.S. §6323, common expense assessments accrue free of the foreclosing first mortgagee's lien (§1603-116(i)).