More than a year after the Eaton fire devastated parts of Los Angeles County, residents of the luxury Altadena community La Vina are facing a new crisis: a $23,614 homeowners association (HOA) special assessment bill with just 34 days to pay. The fire, one of two major blazes that ignited on 7 January 2025, killed at least 31 people and destroyed nearly 17,000 structures across the region.
In La Vina, 52 of its 272 homes were entirely lost, and over 70 per cent are now being rebuilt. The HOA announced the fee on 29 July 2025, giving homeowners until 1 September to pay. Those who missed the deadline faced late fees, 12 per cent annual interest, and the threat of a lien. The HOA has reportedly filed a lawsuit seeking foreclosure on the empty lot of a resident whose home was destroyed.
Resident Ryan Harmon, whose home was damaged by smoke, is leading opposition to the bill. He said he was branded a troublemaker for asking questions. “The fire brought everyone together until that HOA letter went out,” he said. Harmon ultimately paid the fee using a $29,000 insurance payout meant for smoke-damaged clothing. “Who treats their friends and neighbours so heartlessly after the greatest catastrophe of their lives?” he asked.
The HOA says the assessment is needed to cover $6.4m in damages not covered by its disaster insurance, including $2.2m for irrigation, $1.8m for fencing, and $1.5m for replanting. Some residents support the fee, arguing it is the minimum needed to restore the neighbourhood. Longtime residents Rande and Jess Sotomayor said the HOA acted appropriately and transparently, with input from an accounting firm and a law firm.
Legal experts have expressed surprise at the scale of the bills. Attorney Luke Carlson said he was “appalled” by the situation. “This is a situation where a homeowner has lost everything, and I don’t see how aggressive litigation solves any problems,” he told the LA Times. The Independent has attempted to contact the HOA for comment, but received no response.
