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Pennsylvania · HOAPennsylvania HOA and condo liens: automatic from the due date, enforced within four years

In a Pennsylvania planned community or condominium, 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 (68 Pa.C.S. §§5315(a), 3315(a)). Recording the declaration is record notice and perfection of the planned community lien (§5315(d)), so no separate lien filing is needed. The lien is prior to other liens except those recorded before the declaration, first mortgages recorded before the assessment's due date, and real estate taxes and other governmental charges (§§5315(b)(1), 3315(b)(1)). At a judicial sale, up to six months of unpaid common expense assessments are paid from the proceeds (§§5315(b)(2), 3315(b)(2)). The lien is extinguished unless enforcement proceedings or suits are instituted within four years after the assessments become payable (§§5315(e), 3315(d)).

What the statutes set

  1. Lien (§§5315(a), 3315(a))

    From the due date of each assessment or fine; foreclosed like a mortgage.

  2. Perfection (§5315(d))

    Recording the declaration is record notice.

  3. Priority (§§5315(b), 3315(b))

    Behind earlier liens, prior first mortgages and taxes; six months' assessments at a judicial sale.

  4. Four years (§§5315(e), 3315(d))

    Lien ends unless enforcement starts within four years.

What the TC checks on a Pennsylvania condo or HOA sale

  • Order the association's resale certificate early; unpaid assessments may not appear in the title search.
  • Confirm the payoff covers assessments, fines, late charges and collection costs.
  • Collect the association's paid-in-full letter for the title company before closing.

Questions about Pennsylvania HOA liens

Does a Pennsylvania HOA have to record a lien?

No. The lien arises when each assessment becomes due, and for planned communities recording the declaration perfects it (68 Pa.C.S. §5315(a), (d)).

How long does a Pennsylvania HOA lien last?

It's extinguished unless enforcement proceedings are instituted within four years after the assessments become payable (68 Pa.C.S. §§5315(e), 3315(d)).

Related guides

Track the resale certificate and the association payoff as tasks on the deal in ClosingCode.

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Sources: 68 Pa.C.S. §§3315, 5315 (palegis.us), read October 31, 2026.

General information, not legal advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage. This guide is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney.