Homeowner Loses HOA Lawsuit—Must Pay More Than $816,000 in HOA Attorney Fees & Costs

What began as a dispute over alleged water intrusion, mold, and responsibility for repairs ultimately turned into years of litigation, a 25-day jury trial, an appeal, and more than $816,000 in attorney fees and costs awarded against the homeowner.

The financial impact did not stop there. The homeowner also incurred her own attorney fees, expert witness fees, and litigation expenses, while additional costs and fees were incurred in connection with the appeal.

The case provides a striking example of how an HOA dispute that may initially seem manageable can escalate into extraordinarily expensive litigation. It also highlights the importance of documentation, investigation, governing-document compliance, expert testimony, and understanding the attorney-fee risks that can accompany HOA lawsuits.

For board members, managers, and homeowners alike, this is an important case to understand before a disagreement reaches the point where the cost of litigating it far exceeds the value of the original dispute.

Read the full article to see how the case unfolded, why the homeowner’s claims failed, and the practical lessons that can help associations and owners avoid a similar outcome.