Entitled HOA president barged into a resident's home to continue an argument. They went to court instead — and made her fight to save $300,000
When Sonia Borgelt argued with HOA President Marla Knauss turned into verbal insults, and she shut her door, but Knauss forced her way in
Living in a condo community comes with its fair share of rules, but homeowners rarely expect a neighborhood disagreement to turn into a full-blown physical altercation right at their front door. What started as a typical residential dispute in Oregon has now erupted into a high-stakes legal battle involving claims of battery, trespassing, and abuse of a vulnerable person. The dramatic details came to light in an article in West Linn Tidings, published on September 16, 2026.
The outbreak
The tension boiled over in February when West Linn resident Sonia Borgelt got into a heated disagreement with HOA President Marla Knauss at the Sunset Condominiums. The encounter turned into verbal insults until Borgelt slammed her front door to end the interaction. Instead of walking away, Knauss allegedly forced her way into the home.
The complaint details the terrifying moments that followed, stating that "Ms. Knauss opens Ms. Borgelt's front door and charges at Ms. Borgelt. Ms. Knauss grabs Ms. Borgelt. Ms. Borgelt struggles to physically push Ms. Knauss back out the front door. Ms. Borgelt locks her front door and calls the police." Two witnesses, including Borgelt’s home caretaker, confirmed to police that they saw Knauss barge into the home.
American housing nightmare
While this Oregon case sounds extreme, aggressive HOA friction is a growing issue nationwide. According to a report from the State Department of Consumer Affairs, cited by The Island, HOA complaints increased 176% between 2019 and 2025. In 2025 alone, it received 586 HOA complaints. According to the Community Associations Institute, roughly 74.2 million, or 28% of Americans, live in HOA-governed communities. Furthermore, a 2025 survey of more than 1,000 HOA homeowners found that 54% had experienced something negative with their HOA, and one in three said the experience made them want to leave their community.
From HOA president to criminal record
Knauss has since stepped down as HOA president, hired legal representation, and pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal trespassing in West Linn Municipal Court, where she was ordered to pay a $500 fee. Seeking accountability, Borgelt filed a lawsuit in Clackamas County Circuit Court requesting $300,000 in damages and a jury trial. Knauss declined to comment on the matter.
More on Scoop Upworthy
Share on Facebook
