HOA application fees explained
By Dommek · Updated
An HOA application fee is a charge paid by a buyer or tenant when applying to an association for approval to purchase or lease. It typically covers processing and background and credit checks. The association or its management company sets the amount, within any state limits, and fees are generally non-refundable once the application is submitted.
What does an HOA application fee cover?
The fee pays for reviewing your application: collecting and checking documents, running the background and credit checks the association requires and preparing the file for the board. It is separate from other charges that can come up in a sale or lease.
| Fee | Who usually pays | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Buyer or tenant | Processing and screening the application |
| Estoppel letter fee | Seller (often at closing) | Statement of what the unit owes the association |
| Transfer or capital contribution fee | Varies by association | Charged when ownership changes |
| Rush processing | Whoever requests it | Faster handling, where the association offers it |
Who sets the amount, and are there limits?
Each association or its management company sets its application fee, and the price is shown before you pay. Some states limit what associations may charge. In Florida, for example, the fee a condominium association can charge for approving a sale or lease is capped by statute. On Dommek, the fee is charged per application: married couples filing jointly pay once, and each other adult applicant pays their own. If your community has two associations that both require applications, both fees apply.
Are HOA application fees refundable?
Generally no. Screening costs are incurred as soon as the application is processed, so application fees are non-refundable, and you agree to this at submission. Before paying, make sure your contract or lease is final and everyone who needs to apply is ready.
Why does my bank show an international charge?
Dommek is operated by Keystone International Ventures Pte. Ltd., a company registered in Singapore that serves community associations across the United States. Because the company is registered outside the U.S., some banks label the payment as an international transaction even though your property is in the U.S. You're charged in U.S. dollars, so there's no currency conversion from Dommek, and the charge appears on your statement as "DOMMEK". If your card is declined, call your bank, confirm you authorized the payment, and try again.
Is it safe to pay online?
Payments on Dommek are processed by Stripe, a PCI Service Provider Level 1 processor. Your card details go directly to Stripe over an encrypted connection and are never stored on Dommek's servers. Application data is encrypted in transit and at rest on servers in the United States.
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Requirements vary by state and by association.