Summary
Annual HOA dues are applied to your account on December 1 each year and due January 1. Accounts become delinquent 30 days after the due date. Interest accrues at 2% per month (24% APR) on all unpaid balances including fees and previous interest.
The collection process escalates in stages from reminder notices and late fees through pre-lien notices and ultimately a lien recorded against your property title. Payment plans are available on a case-by-case basis upon written request to the Board.
Plain Language Guide
1. When Dues Are Due
Your annual assessment is charged to your account every December 1 and must be paid by January 31 (30 days after January 1 due date). After that it becomes delinquent and interest starts accruing immediately.
Example: If your dues are $400 and you pay on February 15, you already owe interest on the unpaid balance from February 1 onward.
2. Interest Adds Up Fast
Interest is 2% per month — that’s 24% annually — applied to everything you owe including the original dues, late fees, and even previous interest charges. The longer you wait, the more you owe.
Example: A $400 unpaid balance accrues $8 in interest every month it remains unpaid, on top of any late fees.
3. The Escalation Timeline
Late fees are added at 45 days ($30) and 90 days ($60). At 180 days a Pre-Lien Notice is sent with a $150 charge. At 225 days a lien can be recorded against your property for $250, plus $300 to release it later.
Example: An unpaid $400 balance left unresolved for 8 months could easily exceed $1,000 once interest, late fees, and lien costs are added.
4. Payment Plans Are Available
If you’re having difficulty paying, you have the right to request a payment plan. Submit a written request to the Board within 15 days of receiving a Pre-Lien Notice. The Board meets in private session to consider requests — but submission does not pause collection proceedings.
Contact: Mail your written request to PO Box 6663, Champaign, IL 61826, or email treasurer@sawgrasshoa.com.
Collection Policy
Sawgrass HOA Assessment Collection Policy — Effective January 1, 2025
Annual Assessment Applied
Regular annual assessments are applied to each property owner’s account on December 1 of every year.
Payment Due
Assessment is payable to Sawgrass Subdivision Homeowners Association. Mail checks to PO Box 6663, Champaign, IL 61826-6663.
Account Becomes Delinquent
Any unpaid balance is delinquent 30 days after the due date. Interest begins accruing at 2.0% per month (24% APR) on all amounts due.
First Reminder Notice + $30 Late Fee
A reminder notice is mailed and a $30.00 late payment fee is assessed on the account.
Second Reminder Notice + $60 Late Fee
A second reminder notice is mailed and an additional $60.00 late payment fee is assessed on the account.
Pre-Lien Notice + $150 Fee
A Pre-Lien Notice is sent via first class and certified mail itemizing all amounts due. Homeowner has 30 days to request informal dispute resolution. A $150.00 Pre-Lien Notice charge is assessed.
Lien Recorded Against Property + $250 Fee
Board approves lien in open session. Lien is recorded with the Champaign County Office of the Recorder of Deeds. A $250.00 lien filing fee is assessed. An additional $300.00 is required to release the lien once the account is brought current.
Full Collection Policy
Effective January 1, 2025
The Board of Directors of the Association has the obligation to oversee the collection of all Association regular and special assessments in a timely manner. Based upon the Association’s Governing Documents, the Board of Directors has enacted the following policies and procedures concerning the collection of delinquent assessment accounts. All collection costs incurred are charged to the account of the delinquent homeowner.
Regular Assessment Due Date
Regular annual assessments will be applied on December 1 of every year to each owner of a property or properties in Sawgrass Subdivision. The assessment charge shall be payable to Sawgrass Subdivision Homeowners Association on January 1 the following year and will be delinquent when not paid within 30 days after it becomes due. Funds should be made payable to Sawgrass HOA and mailed to P.O. Box 6663, Champaign, IL 61826-6663.
Special Assessment Due Date
Special assessments will be due on the date specified by Board of Directors in the notice imposing the special assessment (minimum thirty days after special assessment imposed). Special assessments payable in installments which are delinquent more than thirty days will be accelerated and the entire unpaid balance will be due and payable immediately.
Recorded Owner and Billing Details
It is the homeowner’s responsibility to provide written notice of any changes in the billing address and/or change(s) in the title of the property to the Homeowner’s Association. The Association holds an ongoing lien against the property in accordance with Association Bylaws. Any sale of property within the Subdivision will require a statement on Association letterhead stating that the account is current or the amount that is still due. The title will not be cleared for transfer until the account with the Association is brought current.
Payment Receipts
Owners can request a receipt from the Association which shall indicate the date of payment. Any request for a receipt of payment must be submitted directly to the Association’s business address. The HOA has three business days to respond to requests.
Returned Bank Items
All returned bank items will be subject to a $40.00 Returned Bank Item Fee and any further charges imposed upon the Association due to the returned item. All returned bank items that remain unpaid will be referred to the Champaign County District Attorney’s Office.
Interest
Interest shall be imposed on all sums due, including assessments, collections costs, late charges and previous interest impositions at a monthly rate of 2.0%, which is equivalent to an Annual Percentage Rate of 24%.
Dispute and/or Payment Plan
You have the right to request a meeting with the Board of Directors if you dispute the debt set forth in your statement. Submit a written explanation of the reasons for your dispute to the Board’s business address. The Board will respond within fifteen days of the postmark of your written explanation.
You also have the right to submit a written request to meet with the Board of Directors to discuss a payment plan. The Board will meet with you in executive (private) session within forty-five days of the postmark of your request, if your request is mailed within fifteen days of the date of the postmark of your Pre-Lien Notice.
Payment Plan Policy
Requests for payment plans will be considered on a case-by-case basis. There is no guarantee, either written or implied, that a payment plan will be granted. The Board has sole discretion whether to approve a requested payment plan. Submission of a payment plan request does not delay collection proceedings, does not constitute a waiver of any default, and does not relieve the homeowner of the obligation to pay all assessments, late charges, collection costs, and interest when due.
The homeowner must submit the request in writing no later than fifteen days after receipt of a Pre-Lien Notice, describing any circumstances the homeowner wishes the Association to consider, and attaching a check for the amount of the first proposed payment.