Homeowners in Lester Point, a 165-home community in Fairburn, Georgia, are caught in what many would describe as HOA Groundhog Day.
Residents claim they’re racking up thousands of dollars in fines — with new ones weekly — while being systematically locked out of payment portals with no way to contact those in charge.
“You just get to the point you don’t want to open these [letters] no more, you’re afraid of what you’re going to see,” resident Labron Weems tells local outlet Atlanta News First (ANF).
The torrent of fines has many worried they’ll lose their homes — with the HOA applying liens against homes for unpaid fines.
“It brings me back to plantation that people tell you where to live, how to do,” said Shirley Bryant, a resident who has received violation letters for parking on the street and having the wrong screen door.
Don’t miss
Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don’t have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here’s how
I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now
No way to pay, no way to appeal
Lester Point’s homeowner’s association (HOA) is managed by Sentry Management, a company that oversees more than 400,000 homeowners across multiple states. However, residents claim they’ve been unable to access the company’s CommunityPro payment portal or contact anyone who can address their concerns.
“Once I see it from them, I go into a rage,” resident Rosalyn Cash tells ANF. “I’m sick and tired of them wasting their 44 cents or whatever a stamp is now sending me a letter telling me I need to cut my grass.”
And Cash isn’t alone. Margo Mincey, who was forced to refinance her home in 2020 to pay off an earlier $10,000 balance in HOA fines, says she’s been hit with new fines for small issues like a leaning mailbox that was struck by a car.
“They said that I wasn’t making payments, but I couldn’t,” Mincey told reporters. “Like, they wouldn’t allow me to.”
According to Sentry Management, once it refers a delinquent resident to the HOA attorney, homeowners are shut out of the payment portal and can only pay through the attorney — creating a catch-22 situation where fines accumulate without recourse.
Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
American dream turns into HOA nightmare
For many residents, their home has become a source of fear and financial stress.
“I’m the very first person in my family to own a home. I grew up in a trailer. I had no idea it was going to be like this,” said Mincey, a single mother who claims she’s now out of pocket “nearly $20,000” in total HOA fees and fines.
County records show Mincey is one of dozens of Lester Point homeowners with liens on their property. Under Georgia statute 44-3-232, an HOA can place a lien on any home for any amount. They can foreclose on a home if that amount exceeds $2,000.
Labron Weems faced $15,000 in fines and fees in June, many of which were for an Airbnb he hadn’t operated since September 2023. Yet, every week since then, he has been fined $150.
One day, Weems got a Ring notification and found a marshal at his door — there to serve a judgement on the $15,000. Weems represented himself in court and had most fines waived — only to receive a new bill for $17,573.30 for unpaid fees and fines.
Options for distressed homeowners fed up with HOAs
Homeowners facing an HOA nightmare do have recourse. Housing experts recommend the following tips when filing complaints against HOA management companies:
Read its CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) to understand the official complaint process
Write a formal letter clearly identifying specific problems with dates and details
Send all correspondence via certified mail with return receipt requested
Keep copies of all communications
If direct communication fails, homeowners can always file complaints with state agencies and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
As a last resort, homeowners can consider legal action, though this can be costly and challenging. Many states, including Georgia, require homeowners to exhaust all remedies with the HOA before involving government agencies or courts.
For the residents of Lester Point, these options may provide little comfort as they continue to receive fine notices while being locked out of payment systems.
Margo Mincey, who has faced fines repeatedly, says bluntly: “I will never buy another home with an HOA.”
What to read next
You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead
Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
