When a homeowner falls behind on HOA assessments, the situation often feels personal, emotional, and urgent. Once a matter reaches small claims court, it can appear, at least on the surface, that the legal system is stepping in. Understanding how the collection process works can help homeowners make better decisions before the problem escalates.

November is “budget season” for most HOAs. For many boards, that means the treasurer (or finance committee) takes center stage; pulling numbers, drafting spreadsheets, and balancing community priorities with financial realities. It’s a task that can feel overwhelming, especially when pressure comes from both ends: rising costs on one side, and homeowners hoping assessments will stay the same on the other.

It’s a scenario that plays out more often than many boards expect: a homeowner approaches the association asking to use the HOA’s master insurance policy to cover damages inside their unit. Sometimes, that request reveals something more troubling — the owner may not have individual homeowners insurance (often called an HO-6 policy). This moment can leave a board wondering: Is this really our responsibility?