Hi!
I just received a lien against my condo (which I OWN) for failure to pay Maintenance Fees. First off, the amount owed was $2815. Then they tacked on attorneys fees, late fees, and the Maintenance fees until September, 2008 (!) so I now owe $5,900.

What exactly is a lien? And can they force me to sell the property?
Thanks in advance!

When you sell your property, they will collect the $5800.

Definition. They have established a legal claim against your property as a creditor and which must be paid when the property is sold.

This lien will stop you from doing any re-fiance, it will be reported as unpaid on your credit report lowing your credit score, and making it worst the longer you don't pay it.

Also if you don't pay future years payments they will add additional lien after addition lien. Also with this lien, they may also if they don't already have a judgement against you where they can do other collection activities.

In norm they will get paid if you ever sell the property, or when you die from the estate.