A WOMAN is warning other homeowners after her house was sold by her HOA over a late payment.

Taylor Sanders admitted she knew she missed a payment to her Homeowners Association but she didn’t expect to lose her house over one late bill.

Taylor Sanders’ home was sold after she missed an HOA paymentCredit: WSOC-TV

Despite owing $400 in 2020, Sanders said she never received any of the HOA’s letters, and by 2021, a lien was placed on her homeCredit: WSOC-TV

Sanders’ home was sold for only $49,000, but the buyer flipped it for $850,000 just months laterCredit: WSOC-TV

In 2020, Sanders lived in the Weddington Hills community in North Carolina and she owed her HOA $400 in dues.

Her HOA said they sent her multiple letters about the issue – but Sanders claims she never got them, ABC local affiliate WSOC reported.

By February 2021, the HOA placed a lien on her property.

A month later, she received a letter warning her that her home would be foreclosed on over $1,200 in unpaid fees.

It included the $400 missed payment, late fees, collection costs, and legal fees.

“I thought it was a joke,” she said.

But the HOA followed through on their promise and sold her 3,300-square-foot home was sold for just $49,000 in 2022.

And to make matters worse, the person who bought her home flipped it for an eye-watering sum.

They sold it for $850,000 five months later, WSOC reported.

“It’s devastating for my 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren,” Sanders said.

“I don’t wish this on anyone.”

Sanders is now on a mission to warn other homeowners about the dangers of ignoring HOA letters.

“This is just the beginning. I want to make sure I educate other people,” Sanders said.

“I want to make sure they know about it. I want them to know their rights.”

Currently, under North Carolina law, HOAs have the right to place a lien on a property if a homeowner fails to pay dues and fees.

If the dues remain unpaid, the HOA can initiate foreclosure proceedings.

The law allows them to act in this way to enforce community rules, though many homeowners, like Sanders, may not fully understand the scope of their rights and responsibilities.

If fines are unpaid, the HOA can foreclose, but their goal is usually to resolve the issue, not evict the homeowner.

Homeowners who disagree with an HOA decision can appeal to the board or push for a vote to change the rules.

North Carolina lawmakers are considering a bill to prevent such extreme outcomes.

The new law would require HOAs to meet specific criteria before placing a lien on a property and initiating foreclosure proceedings.

For example, the bill would mandate homeowners receive proper notice, including clear details about the debt and the consequences of non-payment, to ensure they have ample opportunity to address any issues.

However, the proposal has stalled in the state legislature since May.

The HOA’s attorney didn’t respond to WSOC before publishing time and didn’t immediately answer The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.