(a)
Regular and special assessments levied pursuant to the time-share instrument are delinquent 30 days after they become due, unless the time-share instrument provides a longer time period, in which case the longer time period shall apply. If an assessment is delinquent, the association may recover all of the following:
(1)
Reasonable costs incurred in collecting the delinquent assessment, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.
(2)
A late charge not exceeding 10 percent of the delinquent assessment or ten dollars ($10), whichever is greater, unless the time-share instrument specifies a late charge in a smaller amount, in which case any late charge imposed shall not exceed the amount specified in the governing instrument.
(3)
Interest on all sums imposed in accordance with this section, including the delinquent assessments, reasonable fees and costs of collection, and reasonable attorneys’ fees, at an annual interest rate not to exceed 12 percent, commencing 30 days after the assessment becomes due, unless the time-share instrument specifies the recovery of interest at a lower rate, in which case, the lower rate of interest shall apply.
(b)
Regular assessments imposed or collected to perform the obligations of an association under the governing documents of this title shall be exempt from execution by a judgment creditor of the association only to the extent necessary for the association to perform essential services, such as paying for utilities and insurance. In determining the appropriateness of an exemption, a court shall ensure that only essential services are protected under this subdivision. This exemption shall not apply to any consensual pledges, liens, or encumbrances that have been approved by the owners of the association, constituting a quorum, casting a majority of the votes at a meeting or election of the association, or to any state tax lien, or to any lien for labor or materials supplied to the common area.
(c)
The association shall provide notice by first-class mail to the owners of the time-share interests of any increase in the regular or special assessments of the association, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the increased assessment becoming due.
(d)
Associations are hereby exempted from interest rate limitations imposed by Article XV of the California Constitution, subject to the limitations of this section.