Condo Living Made Easy

When unit owners fall behind on assessments, condo associations have several options for pursuing unpaid balances. While demand letters and eviction filings (via forcible entry and detainer actions) are more common, lien foreclosure is another powerful—but often underutilized—tool in an association’s collections toolbox.

What Is Lien Foreclosure?

Lien foreclosure allows a condominium association to foreclose on its recorded lien in the same way a mortgage lender would. This means the association initiates a legal action that can ultimately result in the sale of the unit at a judicial sale, with proceeds going toward unpaid assessments and legal costs.

Why Consider Lien Foreclosure?

According to a recent article from Tressler LLP, lien foreclosure may be preferable to other collection methods in certain situations:

• Owner Abandonment: If a unit is abandoned, it’s unlikely that an eviction action will result in payment. Foreclosure allows the association to gain control of the unit and either rent or sell it to recoup losses.
• Bankruptcy: If a unit owner files for bankruptcy, some collection actions like eviction are stayed or limited. Foreclosure on a lien, however, may still proceed—especially if it only seeks rem relief (i.e., against the property, not the person).
• No Tenant in Possession: Forcible entry actions are designed to remove current occupants. If no one is living in the unit, pursuing possession may not provide the leverage an association needs. Foreclosure allows the association to move toward sale and recovery.

NOTE: Foreclosure is not always the best first step—it can be expensive and time-consuming. But in certain scenarios, it may be the most effective way to protect the financial stability of the association and prevent losses from snowballing. Associations should weigh the costs and benefits carefully and consult with legal and financial experts to determine the best course of action.

Get the Financial Clarity You Need

Before your board takes legal action, it’s important to understand your association’s full financial picture. That’s where Haus Financial Services can help.

From monthly assessment tracking and budget preparation to delinquency monitoring and financial reporting, Haus Financial Services ensures your board has the tools and insight it needs to make informed decisions about collections, reserves, and long-term planning.

Is your association struggling with owner delinquencies or budget shortfalls?
Contact Haus Financial Services today to schedule a consultation and gain peace of mind with expert community financial management.

Living in a condominium or homeowner association offers numerous benefits, including shared amenities and a sense of community. However, close proximity can sometimes lead to nuisances that disrupt harmony. Addressing these issues effectively is crucial for maintaining a pleasant living environment.

A great place to start is by reviewing your governing documents (declaration, bylaws, and rules) to ensure that they explicitly define what constitutes a nuisance. Common nuisances include:

• Excessive noise (e.g., loud music, construction)
• Odors (e.g., cigarette or marijuana smoke, strong cooking smells)
• Pet-related issues (e.g., barking, waste)
• Improper use of common areas
• Parking violations

Get more detailed guidance on handling specific nuisances in this article by KSN Law.

Once a nuisance is identified, it can often be resolved through respectful, direct communication between neighbors. Encouraging residents to address issues amicably before involving the board can prevent escalation and foster community spirit. When direct communication doesn't resolve the issue, a formal complaint process should be in place:

• Provide a standard complaint form
• Require detailed information (date, time, nature of nuisance)
• Ensure confidentiality where appropriate

This process helps the board assess and address issues systematically. For ongoing or complex disputes, mediation with a neutral third party can facilitate resolution without legal action, preserving neighborly relationships.

Effectively managing nuisances requires clear policies, open communication, and consistent enforcement. By fostering a respectful and informed community, associations can ensure a harmonious living environment for all residents.

Haus Financial Services provides consulting services to its clients in conjunction with complete financial and administrative processing. This supplementary service helps your board to properly navigate many of the challenges and conflicts inherent in condo living. Learn more about all the ways HausFS can support your association and ease the burden for your board here.

Annual meetings are a cornerstone of successful condominium management. They offer a unique opportunity to build community, clarify financial standing, elect leadership, and address resident concerns. And yet, too often, these meetings fall short—marred by low turnout, confusion, or conflict. The good news? With the right preparation, your association’s annual meeting can be more than just a requirement—it can be a meaningful event that strengthens trust and transparency across your condo community.

The foundation of a productive annual meeting begins well before anyone takes a seat. It starts with thoughtful planning, especially around the agenda. While Illinois law doesn’t mandate including an agenda in the meeting notice, doing so can help set expectations and even boost attendance. In fact, as highlighted in The Cooperator News Chicago, including key issues in advance—especially items requiring formal action like board member removals—is not only best practice, it’s often required to ensure procedural validity (“Better Meetings, Better Communities,” Cooperator News Chicago, 2024).

Communication plays a central role. Boards should ensure that notices go out early, with enough time for residents to prepare—especially if voting or proxy forms are involved. Sharing materials in advance, whether it’s financial reports or proposed rules, gives homeowners a chance to show up informed and ready to participate. 

When the meeting arrives, structure and moderation are key. Having a clear timeline and someone designated to guide the conversation—such as the property manager or board president—helps avoid confusion and ensures every agenda item gets the attention it deserves. While formal parliamentary procedure isn’t always necessary, having basic rules around speaking time and voting protocols goes a long way in maintaining order. Boards might consider moving owner comment periods to the end of the meeting to prevent discussions from veering off-course during essential business.

Finances are often the most anticipated—and sometimes contentious—portion of an annual meeting. Transparency here is essential. By working with financial professionals like Haus Financial Services, boards can ensure their financial statements are clear, comprehensive, and understandable. Haus Financial Services specializes in small condo association financials, and their team can help present the association's financial picture in ways that build trust and facilitate smart decision-making.

Technology also has a growing role in the annual meeting process. With the availability of online voting systems, hybrid meetings, and secure document storage, there are now more ways than ever to increase access and accountability. Recording the meeting for future reference or for absent owners can also be a helpful tool—particularly for communities with busy residents or those who travel frequently.

Finally, a successful annual meeting doesn’t just happen in the boardroom—it reflects the broader health of the community. Building a sense of connection throughout the year, recognizing the contributions of volunteers, and creating open channels for feedback all contribute to a more engaged and respectful meeting environment. Some associations even choose to pair their annual meetings with informal social gatherings, turning a governance task into a chance for neighbors to connect and collaborate.

With preparation, transparency, and the right tools and partners in place, your annual meetings can be an opportunity to celebrate progress, solve problems, and lay the groundwork for a stronger condo community.