I bought a house with a voluntary HOA. Previous owner did not did disclose that house was in the HOA and continues with future owners. My co...

Question

I bought a house with a voluntary HOA. Previous owner did not did disclose that house was in the HOA and continues with future owners. My contract papers that I signed did not say I was in an HOA. A year later, the HOA showed up on my doorstep to collect dues. They said the house was in the HOA as previous owner joined. They also said that the house was registered with the county that the house is part of HOA since previous owners joined. Am I obligated to be in it and pay?

Answer

Yes. You messed up badly when you bought your home. When you buy a home it is important to have your own lawyer (not the closing lawyer who works for the bank). He would have checked the title and disclosed the details. You get to write a check assuming that is what the HOA documents say.