Georgia POA Assessments, Liens & Judicial Foreclosure

O.C.G.A. § 44-3-232 makes lawful assessments a lien 'in favor of the association,' prior to all liens except ad valorem taxes and first/qualifying purchase-money mortgages. Late charges cannot exceed the greater of $10 or 10% of each assessment, and interest is capped at 10% per year. The lien is enforced only by 'an action, judgment, and court order for foreclosure'—Georgia bars non-judicial HOA foreclosure. The association must send certified-mail, return-receipt notice at least 30 days before suit, and currently the lien must be at least $2,000.00. SB 406 (signed May 12, 2026) raises that floor to $4,000, excludes fines/fees, and adds a 90-day notice—effective January 1, 2027. Liens lapse four years after the assessment first comes due.

No criminal penalty. A delinquent owner owes the assessment plus late charges (greater of $10 or 10%), up to 10% annual interest, court costs and reasonable attorney's fees, and faces judicial foreclosure of the lien once it reaches the statutory minimum and the 30-day certified notice has run.