‘They are targeting people’: Houston homeowners say they were blindsided by fees in the thousands from an HOA they didn’t even know existed — and they feel there’s a pattern at play

‘It seems like people are being targeted…’

Some residents believe there’s a pattern to who’s being hit hardest.

“They would have tried to foreclose on my house, because I owed so little on it,” said Danicia McCray, who avoided foreclosure by entering a payment plan. “I wasn’t going to let them do that.”

In 2023, Jonathan Spence shelled out $5,000 just to keep his home.

“It seems like people are being targeted who don’t owe a lot of money on their homes,” Spence told FOX 26 Houston. “I have under $20,000 to pay my house off and listening to some of the people here, they are targeting people with low balances.”

The HOA is managed by Crest Management, which oversees 105,000 homes across Houston. Company rep Bill Higgins told FOX 26 Houston, “We try to work with homeowners to avoid foreclosure,” he said, noting that only two foreclosures have occurred among their entire portfolio.

He says that Crest doesn’t have access to mortgage payoff information: “We have no way of knowing that information,” Higgins stated.

Homeowners say they’re being blindsided by fees and foreclosure threats, claiming they never received warning letters.

“Most of our neighbors have the same problem where they don’t receive that mail letting them know that fines are being accumulated on top of fines,” said Manuel Mazariego.

Crest insists their process is by the book, sending two letters via first-class mail followed by a certified notice, all in line with the Texas Property Code.

But residents want to know what they're actually paying for. “The money they are collecting from the people that are paying their dues, where is that?” asked Cinda Jones.

“Since I’ve been here, the pool has never been open,” added Danicia McCray.

According to Crest, they're in “recovery mode” after taking over a year ago and funds are now being directed toward improvements, including opening that long-shuttered pool.

Crest Management says, “The board of directors works very transparently to govern the community… They’ve worked with individual homeowners to provide solutions for delinquent assessments and extra time when needed.”

Many residents’ mistrust stemmed from a 2019 scandal when the HOA’s then-president was criminally charged for stealing funds. That left homeowners like North questioning whether the HOA still even existed.

As the community waits for answers and overdue repairs, what is clear is that the homeowners of Inwood Forest are no longer staying silent.

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How to fight back shady HOA practices

Buying into a neighborhood with a Homeowners Association (HOA) might promise clean sidewalks and sparkling pools, but it also means signing up for fees and rules.

Across the U.S., the median monthly HOA fee is $125, but in Houston, it’s about half that at $67 — one of the lowest among major U.S. cities. But not all communities are created equal and fees are far from consistent across the city.

According to ABC13, at Piper’s Crossing in Houston, residents are shelling out as much as $550 a month and still dealing with broken sidewalks, dim lighting and a pool the city shut down for health violations.

“Where is the money going?” asked homeowner John Seckar, who has taken his concerns to the city. The pool was closed after the Houston Health Department found it unsanitary and that’s after residents paid thousands in fees.

HOAs in Texas can foreclose on your home for unpaid dues or violations. But homeowners are not powerless. Here's how savvy residents are fighting back:

• Read and understand the paperwork: Make sure you read and understand the HOA's governing documents, like bylaws and Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs). If the board isn’t following them, you may have legal grounds to push back.

• Demand transparency: Texas law requires HOAs to provide financial statements and meeting records. If yours refuses, that is a red flag.

• Advocate: HOAs must hold open board meetings. Show up, speak your mind and bring neighbors with you.

• Seek legal counsel: Mediation or arbitration can help resolve disputes faster and cheaper than a court. If needed, hire a real estate attorney, especially if foreclosure is on the table.

• Report the HOA: If your HOA isn’t following rules, report them to the Texas Attorney General or local officials.

Groups like the HOA Reform Coalition of Texas are working to rein in what they call “excessive fines and runaway fees.”

According to Lifetime HOA Management, over 20% of homes in Texas belong to an HOA. They have a lot of power, often with minimal state oversight.

If you’re buying into an HOA neighborhood, read the fine print, ask the tough questions and don’t assume your fees are working for you. And if it isn’t adding up, take action as early on as possible.