QUESTION: The board wants to publish the names of delinquent owners in our newsletter. First is this legal and two is it a good idea?
ANSWER: Publishing the names of delinquent owners is an effective means of collecting monies owned to the association. Peer pressure works. Except for publishing the names of owners where the board voted to foreclose on their units (
Civil Code §1367.4(c)(2)) there is nothing that prohibits publishing the names of delinquent owners. Moreover, the publication is privileged under
Civil Code §47(c). That means the association is protected from potential liability for defamation even if the information turned out to be incorrect.
Wilton v. Mountain Wood HOA.
Conservative Approach. However, in our litigious society, there is no guarantee a disgruntled owner won't claim defamation. For those who wish to take a conservative approach to the issue, we can look at how California handles the publishing of names of delinquent taxpayers. According to the
state's website, California mails each person on its list a certified letter providing the person an opportunity to pay their taxes before the list is published. To avoid being published, taxpayers must do one of the following: (i) pay the liability in full, (ii) establish an installment agreement, (iii) enter into an offer in compromise, or (iv) substantiate a bankruptcy filing. With that in mind, associations could do the following:
Amend the governing documents to include publishing names as one of its collection policies.
Amend its collection policy to include sending a certified letter, return receipt requested, to the owner giving him/her an opportunity to pay before the list is published.
Distribute or mail the list to members only (not renters). Do not post the list in the common areas where visitors can see it.
Title the list "Delinquent Owners." Do not characterize owners as "Deadbeats of the Month" or any other pejorative term, and do not state whether foreclosure has commenced against their units.
Include a disclaimer such as: "This information was last updated on <date>. Payments made after <date> are not reflected."
Be consistent in publishing names (perhaps quarterly) and be even-handed by publishing all names (unless they have paid in full, worked out payment plan, or declared bankruptcy).