HOA Threatens Overseas Servicemembers With Foreclosure, Then Quickly Settles When Collection Practices Come To Light

In San Antonio, Texas, WOAI-TV Channel 4 reports:

• A San Antonio couple, serving in the military overseas, almost loses their home. Not because they failed to make their mortgage payments, but because they were behind on their homeowners association fees. This military couple was fighting a losing battle, so they asked News 4 Trouble Shooter Jaie Avila for help.

• David and Melody Gates admit they fell behind on their homeowners association fees when Melody got sick, but they say when they tried to pay what they owed, the association and its attorney kept sending their checks back and piling on more fees.

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• The Gates say since late last year, they have sent three separate checks to the Westover Crossing Homeowners Association to pay off all the dues they owe for their home. But each time, the checks were returned, because by the time they arrived in the mail, more late fees, and attorneys fees had been added to the total. The attorney for the association refused to accept partial payment.

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• The Trouble Shooters contacted Spectrum Management, which runs the Westover Crossing Homeowners Association, and its attorney, Tom Newton, Jr., the man who has been sending the Gates' all those intimidating letters. Newton wouldn't comment, but this isn't the first time the Trouble Shooters have come across attorney, Tom Newton. [...] Although, he wouldn't talk to us, a few days after we contacted Newton, he and the Westover Crossing Homeowners Association agreed to stop tacking on fees and settled the dispute with the Gates for $1,300. Almost $600 less than they had been demanding.

For more, see HOA Threatens Foreclosure On Couple Stationed Overseas.