coconut

Well, 4 months ago, I've purchased a condo in Central Florida, and with condos, you pay homeowner association fees, and mine was $165. In that $165, with the documentation the builder provided us states that the allocation of the fund goes into maintenance of lawn, parking lot and pool, etc. But for the 4 months I've lived here, I haven't received any bill for H.O.A. fee, and in the beginning of Jan 2008, I received a bill for cumulative dues for the past 4 months HOA dues, and that comes out to $660.

Now, I understand that it is my responsibility to pay for the H.O.A. fee, but what's tricky here is that there never was a pool in my community. When I first move in, I asked the builder, "when will the pool be done"?(keep in mind that this is a brand new community, so there is a designated lot for pool, but it's not a pool yet), He told me it will be done in a couple months. But 4 months later, still no pool.

Well, my questions is that is it still possible for the H.O.A. to charge me the original $165, which parts of it supposedly are going into pool maintenance, since there are no pool whatsoever in the community, at least not yet. Is it reasonable for me to ask for reduction from the $165 since there are no actual pool maintenance involved since I've lived in the community?

Another thing to keep in mind is that our community doesn't have an actual Homeowner's Association yet. Because our community is a 3 phase plan, (xx number of homes in Phase I, xx number of homes in Phase II, and so on.) and we are only on Phase II, so, basically, the builder's company and some property management company is the acting H.O.A. right now. So, this is not some kinda the issue I'd be able to bring up in a H.O.A. meeting or something.

iTimmy

You better pay, I'm sure you signed a contract, the time to address items like this is before you sign the contract. Someones word means dick, if you signed a contract you are locked into paying what they require. You could possibly appeal it to the HOA at their monthly meeting(most have monthly meetings) but chances of gaining any ground are pretty slim. If you google search home owners associations you will read story after story of people who literally lose everything trying to fight the association(often over little things), and they never win.

That said, be patient, if its on the plan they legally have to put it up before they get a permanent CO and it will be done, Rome was not built in a day.

coconut

Oh, I paid the fee already, but it just doesn't sit well with me knowing that I'm paying for something that doesn't exist. I'm not refusing to pay the fee, I'm just seeking info to see if it is possible to reduce the fee, since you know, where is the pool that I'm paying maintenance fee to for the past 4 months.

bkknight369

the money is likely going to the HOA cash fund, which will be used for maintenance items such as a pool. They will dip into a fund as necessary, but it doesnt mean x% is COMPLETLEY dedicated to JUST the pool

If you ask for it, you can probably get the financial numbers of all HOA numbers that are being collected

doopstr

They basically have you by the balls. Just wait until you get an HOA and they decide that they need more money from you.

special-ed

Been there, done that.

coconut

Fuck that, Im running for a seat in the HOA committee then!

Doom878

Correct. And they charge you a copy most of the time. Welcome to the HOA Mafia.

SakiGT

Mine went up $12.50 /mo this year.

corey415

I actually like my HOA. Prevents people from doing stupid stuff. I don't anticipate my fees going up too much; since the HOA for my single family home is pretty minimal (gardening, private driveway, electricity and water for common areas).

'06 Arctic

Mine went up $20/mo this year. Although it still is relatively low, $95/mo. To the OP, ask the builder to supply you with a budget that should break down where your monthly payment is being allocated to. The amount that is going towards pool maintenance is most likely not that much, although I don't know how large your association is or will be. The association I am a member of includes a total of 56 houses and condos and of my $95/month I think like $5 goes towards the pool maintenance. Most of the payment is going towards their fund for replacing roofs, repaving roads, and landscaping costs.

Doom878

Exactly. They will leave the excess in the Reserve account.

MR1

Enjoy it while it last. They have to accound for all funds collected. Lots of times builders will set the HOA fees lower than realistic. This will make people move in and not be too concerned. After X # of units are sold, the association will be managed by homeowners. When they do the math, fees may go up.

MR1

Oh, one other thing. I own a condo in a Chicago highrise. My fees went up $50.00/month for 2008 because the reserves were too low.