May 2026

HOA Lien Monitoring, Borrower Communication Compliance & Servicing Oversight Strategies

As we head into summer, the housing and mortgage servicing industry finds itself navigating familiar headwinds with a dose of cautious optimism. Rates have largely settled into the mid-6% range, inventory is slowly improving and there are early signs that affordability may finally be inching in the right direction—all of which are generating buzz heading into what is traditionally the busiest buying season of the year. But with that activity comes complexity, and servicers are feeling it. HOA liens are surging, regulatory scrutiny remains intense and operational demands aren’t letting up. That’s where our teams continue to step up.

In this issue, you’ll hear how Clayton is helping servicers get ahead of HOA lien filings that increased at a startling pace in 2025, how Covius Print-Ready Services is navigating the new USPS Certified Mail requirements to keep critical borrower communications compliant and uninterrupted, and how our Clayton Servicing Oversight solution is helping clients get their operational houses in order before the next round of audits arrive. You’ll also read about something that makes all of us proud—the Covius team helping to raise more than $417,000 for the Fisher House Foundation, a group that supports military and veteran families in need of housing close to hospitalized loved ones.

Pete Pannes
Chief Business Officer

How Clayton is Mitigating HOA Lien Risk

Given the growing concern about the cost of homeownership, no one would be surprised to learn that HOA liens are on the rise. But alarm bells started ringing recently when a new report found that a new HOA lien was filed every 90 seconds in 2025, or more than 280,000 liens throughout last year. Clayton has offered an HOA monitoring solution for more than 10 years. To get a perspective on the rise of these liens, the risks they present to servicers and how HOA monitoring solutions are evolving to deal with them, we sat down with Crystian Lloyd, Senior Operations Manager at Clayton, to discuss.

Helping the Fisher House Foundation Support Military & Veteran Families

This year, 166 golfers and other supporters came together at the Golf Club at Lansdowne in Virginia to help raise more than $417,000 for the Fisher House Foundation, which provides military and veteran families housing close to a loved one in the hospital while battling illness, disease or injury. In its 23 years, this annual fundraiser alone has raised more than $14 million. Covius Chief Revenue Officer and Co-Chair of the Fisher House Golf Classic Committee, Danny Byrnes, commented: “This is an incredibly impactful day that Covius and Clayton sponsor each year. The military members in our communities give their utmost in service, so it’s an honor to support a charity that gives back to them and their families.” Since inception, the Foundation has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $650 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation.

Covius Print-Ready Services Provides Compliant Solutions Amidst New Security Requirements

New USPS security requirements for Certified Mail tracking numbers generated by approved mail service providers is in effect. To remain compliant, providers have effectively discontinued all pre-printed barcoded forms for Certified Mail. Many mortgage servicing communications — such as default notices, loss‑mitigation notices, foreclosure correspondence and borrower‑rights disclosures — must meet strict federal, state and investor requirements. In some cases, Certified Mail provides the verifiable proof that these critical notices are sent, tracked and delivered in compliance with those legal and regulatory standards.

Covius Print‑Ready Services is providing solutions and helping clients avoid mailing disruptions during this transition by leveraging Certified Pro, which provides access to Certified Mail forms and envelopes, including a non‑barcoded alternative that supports mailing continuity, and Remote Print & Mail services so clients can skip the post office altogether.

If your print and mail process is affected by this new requirement or your pre-barcoded inventory is running low, contact our team to discuss the best transition option for your mailing operation.

Leverage Our Servicing Oversight & Quality Control Expertise

Clayton Servicing Oversight’s operational reviews ensure servicers stay ahead of the curve and are ready for any upcoming regulatory audits. Now is the time to get your operational review processes in place – let Clayton Servicing Oversight’s experienced team help.