Use It or Lose It - The Three-Year Limitation on Collecting Delinquent Condominium Assessments

The Washington Condominium Act states in part as follows: "A lien for unpaid assessments and the personal liability for payment of assessments is extinguished unless proceedings to enforce the lien or collect the debt are instituted within three years after the amount of the assessments sought to be recovered becomes due." This law applies to condominiums created before July 1, 1990 as well as newer condominiums.  Boards should thus monitor the length of delinquencies and take action to collect them in a timely manner.  This will maximize the association’s ability to collect the money it is owed.