Can my HOA put a lien on my home in California?

Reviewed July 2026

📘 Short Answer

Yes. A California homeowners association (HOA) can record a lien against your property for delinquent assessments, but it must follow the statutory assessment-collection process first. Before recording an assessment lien, the HOA must generally send a certified-mail pre-lien notice at least 30 days in advance under Civil Code §5660, offer dispute resolution under Civil Code §5670, obtain board approval in an open meeting under Civil Code §5673, and record a notice of delinquent assessment that satisfies Civil Code §5675. If the HOA fails to follow the required procedures, the lien may be subject to challenge.

⚖️ Relevant California Law

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Civil Code §5660 — Requires the HOA to provide a pre-lien notice at least 30 days before recording an assessment lien.
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Civil Code §5665 — Gives an owner the right to request a meeting with the board to discuss a payment plan for the debt noticed under Civil Code §5660.
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Civil Code §5670 — Requires the HOA to offer the owner dispute resolution and, if requested, participate before recording an assessment lien.
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Civil Code §5673 — Requires the board to approve recording the lien by majority vote in an open meeting and record the vote in the minutes.
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Civil Code §5675 — Establishes the contents and recording requirements for a notice of delinquent assessment and requires a copy to be mailed after recordation.

🏠 What This Means for Homeowners

An HOA lien can affect your property rights and may eventually lead to foreclosure. Act quickly if you receive a pre-lien notice or learn that a lien has been recorded.

✓ Review the pre-lien notice and verify the amount claimed
✓ Request an account ledger showing assessments, payments, late fees, and collection charges
✓ Dispute any incorrect charges in writing
✓ Request a payment plan if you cannot pay the balance in full
✓ Check county recorder records to determine whether a lien has already been recorded
✓ Consult an attorney if you believe the HOA failed to follow the statutory lien process

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🏢 What This Means for Boards and Managers

Assessment liens are highly regulated. Associations should strictly follow the statutory notice and authorization requirements before recording a lien.

✓ Provide the pre-lien notice required by Civil Code §5660
✓ Include all required disclosures in the notice
✓ Offer the owner the opportunity to request a payment plan
✓ Offer dispute resolution before recording the lien
✓ Wait at least 30 days before recording the lien
✓ Obtain board authorization by majority vote in an open meeting and record the vote in the minutes
✓ Record the lien with the county recorder
✓ Send the owner a copy of the recorded notice of delinquent assessment

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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

✕ Recording a lien before providing the required pre-lien notice
✕ Failing to wait the full statutory notice period
✕ Using inaccurate assessment balances
✕ Failing to properly authorize the lien
✕ Assuming disciplinary fines can be collected through the assessment lien process