Dues: Association annual dues for 2025 are $50.00. Dues can be increased each year.

As most association residents know, Sevenoaks has annual dues which support maintenance of areas owned by the association.  Most properties owners in the association timely pay their dues each year, but not everyone does.  Reasons for choosing to not pay may vary, but commonly-heard ones include: 

• I am making a statement of principle.
• I don’t receive anything for my money.
• I am the current owner and the prior owner didn’t pay the dues and therefore must pay them.
• The closing agent when I bought the home was to take care of it.

None of these reasons is valid for carrying outstanding balances because the association has the legal right to file liens against a property when dues are delinquent, thereby encumbering the owner’s title to the property.  This is why many real estate agents inform new home buyers about association dues.  It is also why most closing companies, such as title companies, will contact the association to ask about delinquent dues and then account for dues when closing on a sale.  However, when a property changes owners, dues are not always current and those handling the sale do not always investigate association dues.  Nonetheless, this does not absolve a current property owner from paying dues that were not previously paid. 

So what if the dues are not paid?  Additional delinquency fees are added each year that dues are not brought current, plus the association files a lien against the property – which the association has unfortunately done several times.  Once a lien is filed, the association will not release the lien until all outstanding amounts are paid.  Staying current on your dues is much easier – and less expensive – than paying delinquency fees and having the sale of a home or a mortgage re-financing delayed because of a lien on the property.  Thanks to all of you who pay their dues timely.