A condominium association took the unusual step of filing a foreclosure action in Florida court against a condo owner over an allegedly past due fee of only $4.70. The condo owner incurred legal expenses of $3,000 before a state court judge dismissed the foreclosure action and declined to award attorneys' fees to either side of the controversy.

Such harsh actions by condominium associations may increase in light of the lingering effects of the housing crisis and ailing economy. Often hard pressed to meet increasing maintenance and other operating expenses, condo associations sometimes feel that they have little choice but to aggressively pursue condo owners for unpaid fees and assessments.

Indeed, the $4.70 foreclosure lawsuit is not even the lowest on record. Just this past summer, a homeowner was notified by mail that the company holding the mortgage on his home insisted that he immediately pay $0.00 or else prepare for the consequences of foreclosure. Of course, this was one of the many foreclosure mistakes lenders have been making recently.

These recent economic times have lowered the value of many condominiums and homes, and at the same time, cash pressed homeowners and condo associations in many locations have raised their mandatory fees and pursued foreclosure lawsuits on members unwilling or unable to pay.

In some instances, rather than attempting to sell condo units that have been foreclosed on, condo associations have turned them into rental units, finding that it is a better market.

One cash strapped Florida condominium association even recently took the relatively unprecedented step of filing bankruptcy as a result of being unable to meet obligations to its creditors. When the bankruptcy proceeding was over, the association had gained $400,000 more in assets than it had possessed before.

Are you afraid of losing your condo to foreclosure? You should know that there are options available. Talk to a foreclosure defense attorney in your area for more information.

Source: The Huffington Post, "Geeta Ramcharitar, Florida Woman, Nearly Foreclosed On Over $4.70 Fee," Jillian Berman, Oct. 3, 2011.