"dpb" wrote in message

Of course, the HOA doesn't know whether the landlord has passed on the
obligation to pay the association fees to the renter, either, so
there's the other possibility that the renter _is_ the scofflaw...

Nope. The renter has no obligation just because the landlord and he agree.
The member/owner of record is legally bound to pay.



The HOA can't demand
payment from somebody it has no legal relationship with,

Exactly