Many people who purchase property in a community governed by a Homeowners Association (HOA) are required to pay an annual assessment for the maintenance of common areas within their communities, and may not be aware, or have concern.

The Eastern Panhandle Organization of Homeowner’s Associations (EPOHOA) is holding a workshop covering “HOA Debt Collection.”

Join us on Saturday Oct. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., to learn about assessments, your rights as a home owner and the HOA collection process.

The workshop is to be held at the Orchard House, 4599 Shepherdstown Road (Route 45) in Martinsburg.

Three important topics that will be covered are:

Consumer Rights During the Debt Collection Process. Presented by Kanette Petry, Consumer Representative & Compliance Specialist, West Virginia Attorney General’s Office Eastern Panhandle Consumer Protection Office, Martinsburg;

HOA’s Legal Options for Collecting a Debt. Presented by Susan R. Snowden, Director of Litigation Group, General Counsel, Martin and Seibert LLC, Martinsburg;

Enforceable Actions when Collecting a Debt. Presented by Pete Dougherty, Sheriff, Jefferson County.

Time will be allotted for questions from the audience and light refreshments will be served.

Eastern Panhandle Organization of Homeowner’s Associations (EPOHOA) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit civic organization founded for the purpose of helping HOA board members and homeowners who live in HOAs, to understand the principles of HOA governance, best management practices and how to understand their governing documents.

In addition to monthly meetings where general issues concerning the management of HOAs are discussed, EPOHOA also sponsors workshops several times a year covering specific topics featuring specialists in the field. Both monthly meetings and workshops are open to the public and offered at no charge to attendees.

We encourage both HOA Board members and homeowners who live in HOAs to attend this workshop. If interested in attending, please register at www.epohoa.org or call 304-728-2201 by October 20th 2014.

Thank you and hope to see you there.

RosaLee Riggins

EPOHOA Education Committee Chair