Belonging to a Homeowners Association (HOA) has its pros and cons. In the case of the townhouse community near Provo, Utah, 45 miles from Salt Lake City, United States, it is turning out to be a real headache. Due to the need to repair faulty balconies throughout the community, the HOA requires the full payment of $2.8 million, charging a fee of $17,550 to all units, including those that do not have a balcony, which has angered the neighbors, according to the local NBC news affiliate, KSL. According to the HOA, the balcony support beams are poorly constructed and pose a risk of collapse.
According to the neighbors, it should be the manufacturing company, Georgetown Development, that should cover this repair, but the company has refused to contribute, claiming that the balconies complied with regulations at the time of construction. According to SNJ Legal, the Homeowners Association Act governs HOAs and imposes certain duties on groups in Utah. Some neighbors, such as Megan Miller or Kumen Johnson, have expressed their dissatisfaction and their inability to cope with such a large amount of money.
Another case resulting from the high HOA fees took place in New York, where a family group was stuck in a house they could not afford, running out of savings and scaring potential buyers. However, in other places like California, $25,000 per household was granted to cover alleged safety repairs.
Problem in a Utah community
Located in Provo, Utah, 45 miles from Salt Lake City in the United States, a townhouse community is confronting the Homeowners Association (HOA) for demanding an exorbitant payment. According to the HOA, each owner must pay $17,550 for a collective repair fund, totaling $2.8 million. The reason? The money will be used to fix defective balconies throughout the community, which, according to the HOA, were improperly constructed and are at risk of collapsing. However, the outrageous part of this situation is that the same amount is being demanded from all units, whether they have a balcony or not.
Outrage from the homeowners
The neighbors are not only upset about the enormous amount of money they have to pay, but also about it being divided between those who have a balcony and those who do not. Some neighbors have expressed their displeasure to KSL, such as Megan Miller, who has been living in that community for 11 years: “I feel frustrated and upset… I don’t know how I’m going to pay it”.
Another homeowner without a balcony, Kumen Johnson, told the outlet: “That’s a huge amount of money… To conjure that out of nowhere, I don’t know how I’m going to do it. I don’t know how other homeowners are going to manage that.”Homeowners have been offered two payment options: pay a total of $1,550 upfront, or extend the payment over 15 years, accruing interest, which further increases the total amount. Some neighbors, like Johnson, are even considering selling their house: “I have considered selling… But I feel trapped,” he said.”It’s easy to wash your hands and say this is not my problem. But goodwill also exists”.
Who should be responsible for the payment?
What is being demanded of us, even if it is the developer and construction company Georgetown Development, is who has to bear the cost of this repair. However, the company has refused to contribute to the repair fund, claiming that the balconies “complied with all relevant building codes and standards at the time of development” and that their lawyers “prevent them from helping further”.
How to proceed when facing problems with your HOA
It is important to know and understand the regulations and general advice that homeowners can implement if they encounter problems with their HOA.Know the rules:
- Start by reviewing your HOA bylaws and covenants (CC&Rs) — they outline your rights and your HOA’s limits.
- Document everything: Keep written records of all notices, fines, and correspondence. Evidence helps if the dispute escalates.
- Communicate calmly: Try resolving the issue through emails or formal meetings before taking legal action.
- Get support: Rally other homeowners who share your concerns — there’s strength in numbers when challenging unfair rules.
- Seek expert help: If negotiations fail, contact a real estate attorney or your state’s HOA ombudsman for guidance.