Key takeaways:
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A Georgia retiree faces foreclosure over HOA fines tied to a missed pressure washing and a water bucket outside his home.
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Under Georgia law, HOAs can foreclose once fines exceed $2,000, even for minor violations.
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Homeowners, especially those on fixed incomes, should monitor mail, stay ahead of fines, and know their legal rights.
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A Georgia retiree is fighting to keep his home after his homeowners association moved to foreclose over thousands in unpaid fines, stemming from pressure washing violations, a stray ladder, and a bucket of water. George Watson, 77, lives on about $20,000 a year from Social Security and has owned his townhome in the Cedarlake community of Kennesaw, Georgia, since 2001. But this year, he’s facing the terrifying prospect of losing it all over what started as a few small code infractions.
How a bucket turned into a foreclosure threat
Three summers ago, Watson left a bucket of water, a ladder, and a pressure washer on the side of his house, a move he said was temporary while preparing to clean algae from a wall. But what may have seemed like a minor oversight quickly escalated.
Watson says he missed multiple mailed warnings from his HOA due to a pandemic-era phobia of opening his mailbox. When he finally checked his mail in late 2022, he found a letter from the HOA’s attorney demanding $6,000 in fines and legal fees.
“I didn’t actually answer my mail for months.” he told the Marietta Daily Journal in April. [1]
Under Georgia law, an HOA can place a lien on a home for any amount and initiate foreclosure once the balance exceeds $2,000. In July 2024, Cedarlake’s HOA did just that, launching foreclosure proceedings against Watson.
Fees add up quickly, especially on a fixed income
Documents show the HOA charged Watson $50 per day for four months between October 2022 and January 2023, adding up to over $1,500 per month with 7% interest. Legal fees added another $3,600 in October 2024. By early 2025, the HOA’s attorneys had filed for summary judgment totaling nearly $15,000.
Watson has spent the past year trying to fight the case with a home equity loan he took out to pay for legal representation.
“I borrowed all the money that’s in the lawsuit,” he told Atlanta News First. [2] “A year of anxiety and worry over not having any money.”
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HOA rights vs. human consequences
The Cedarlake HOA declined comment. But their property management company, Tolley Community Management, said the association followed proper protocol.
“Someone choosing not to read their mail is not an association issue,” said CEO Mike Tolley, adding that community covenants require notices to be sent by U.S. mail.
Real estate attorney Randy Williams, who represents both HOAs and homeowners, agrees that homeowners must take their responsibilities seriously, but questions the judgment behind aggressively pursuing foreclosure.
“You probably could (take the house), but do you think that’s the human thing to do to a 70- or 80-year-old person?” he said.
Williams recommends alternatives such as payment plans or using ‘self-help’ options that allow an HOA to remedy issues directly, without jumping to fines or litigation. Many HOAs already have these provisions in their bylaws.
“It would have been cheaper to either knock on his door or move the problem items to the back of his house,” he added.
What homeowners need to know
HOAs have powerful legal tools, including liens, wage garnishment, and foreclosure rights, in many states. And while they help maintain community standards, the consequences for noncompliance can be financially devastating, particularly for those living on fixed incomes.
Here’s how to protect yourself:
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Open your mail: HOAs are often only required to send notices by regular post.
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Ask about self-help policies: Some boards can fix problems for a fee instead of issuing fines.
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Negotiate early: Don’t wait until legal fees pile up.
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Review your HOA covenants: Understand exactly what your association can and can’t do.
Watson says he’s sharing his story to help others avoid a similar fate.
“I’m between a rock and a hard place,” he said. “What I can do is try and help other people avoid this very sad fate.”
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Article sources
At Moneywise, we consider it our responsibility to produce accurate and trustworthy content people can rely on to inform their financial decisions. We rely on vetted sources such as government data, financial records and expert interviews and highlight credible third-party reporting when appropriate. We are committed to transparency and accountability, correcting errors openly and adhering to the best practices of the journalism industry. For more details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
[1]. Marietta Daily Journal. “‘Yard Nazis’: Cobb Resident Faces $35,000 in HOA Lawsuit”
[2]. Atlanta News First. “HOA seeks to foreclose on 77-year-old’s home over pressure washing violations”
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
