Maine Condominium & HOA Assessment Collection Rules

Under the Maine Condominium Act, § 1603-116(a) gives the association a lien on a unit "for any assessment levied against that unit or fines imposed against its unit owner from the time the assessment or fine becomes due," and that lien "may be foreclosed in like manner as a mortgage on real estate." Recording the declaration perfects the lien automatically. Importantly, § 1603-116(b) makes the lien prior to most encumbrances EXCEPT a first mortgage recorded before or after delinquency — Maine did NOT enact a 6-month super-priority over first mortgages. The lien is extinguished unless enforced within 6 years. Non-condominium HOAs depend entirely on their declaration and Title 13-B.

Unpaid condo assessments accrue as a lien foreclosable like a mortgage; the association may also recover costs and reasonable attorney's fees (§ 1603-116(g)). Non-condo HOA remedies are whatever the recorded declaration provides.