$600K HOA fees class action settlement

A $600,000 class action settlement resolves allegations that Small Community Specialists, Associations Inc. and HOAM Ventures charged Maryland consumers fees to make online payments for homeowners association dues and other expenses.

The HOA fees settlement benefits Maryland consumers who paid a fee to Small Community Specialists, Associations Inc. and HOAM Ventures for HOA dues, condominium association dues or assessment payments using the TownSq app between Feb. 14, 2020, and July 3, 2024.

The class action lawsuit alleges Small Community Specialists, Associations Inc. and HOAM Ventures charged consumers unlawful fees to make payments for homeowners association dues, condominium association dues and assessments. These fees, charged through the TownSq application, allegedly violated the Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act and the Maryland Consumer Protection Act.

Small Community Specialists, Associations Inc. and HOAM Ventures work in partnership to provide community and HOA management services in Maryland and Virginia.

The defendants haven’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay $600,000 to resolve the class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the HOA fees settlement, class members can receive a minimum payment of $2.95. After these minimum payments are distributed to all class members, the remaining settlement funds will be used for pro rata payments. The pro rata payments will vary depending on the amount each class member paid in convenience fees.

In addition to providing cash benefits, the defendants have agreed to ensure they communicate directly with Maryland consumers regarding payment of their homeowner’s association and condominium associations fees and assessments through entities licensed under the Maryland Collection Agency Licensing Act. The companies will also send notices twice per year for three years to Maryland homeowner’s association and condominium association members who reside in communities that offer the TownSq application, informing them of available free payment methods for making payments as an alternative to using the TownSq application.

The exclusion and objection deadline for the settlement was Oct. 24, 2024.

The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Dec. 10, 2024.

No claim form is required to benefit from the settlement. Class members who do not exclude themselves will automatically receive settlement payments.

Who’s Eligible

Maryland consumers who paid a fee to Small Community Specialists, Associations Inc. and HOAM Ventures for HOA dues, condominium association dues or assessment payments using the TownSq app between Feb. 14, 2020, and July 3, 2024

Potential Award

$2.95+

Proof of Purchase

N/A

Exclusion Deadline

10/24/2024

Case Name

Birks v. Small Community Specialists LLC, Case No. 8:23-cv-00837-BAH, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Final Hearing

12/10/2024

Settlement Website

HOAConvenienceFeeSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Birks v Small Community Specialists
Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 5420
Portland, OR 97228-5420
[email protected]
877-958-7748

Class Counsel

Bradley T Canter
THE LAW OFFICES OF RONALD S CANTER LLC

Joshua I Bienstock
BIENSTOCK LAW LLC

Defense Counsel

Elizabeth C Rinehart
Mary M Gardner
VENABLE LLP