Overcharging Condo Residents

We are a community with two HOA groups. Therefore two budgets. The master budget has 251 single family homes and the sub-budget has 24 units. I have been frozen out by the board because I expect fair and honest treatment for all owners. First I have found that the regime fee in 2005 for the master budget was $2,160.00 per year and now for 2011 its $2,700.00 per year. And thats a 25% increase for the 6 years. Now the sub-budget in 2005 was $1,020.00 per year and now for 2011 its $3624.00 per year. That is a 255% increase for the 6 years. YES I have been told they don't know what to do about it but will form a committee to study this. WHAT? So in the meantime I am expected to pay this and nothing I can do? Anyone else stealing from me I can call the police and have them arrested. There are some other issues but this one is the most outrageous. I live in SC and would like some feedback--please. The condo owners do need to pay for the common expenses and this is spelled out in the by-laws. But they also have some big expenses which apply only for their homes. For instance for the pool upkeep I say it should be the total doors (275) when figureing the cost to each homeowner but instead they do the cost twice. Example the pool cost is $1,500.00 they divide by 251 homes and then by 24 for the condos. We are supposed to have college graduates on the board!!! This is a 55 and older community and some of my neighbors just afraid because we do have a few BULLIES which I say--bring it on!!! Thank you all for your suggestions.

No more than 10% per year unless we have a vote. And for any unexpected expenses we need a vote if its 5% over budgeted amount. We have 2 landscaping companies and are charged for both and the same management company but have to pay them on both budgets also. on master budget management charges $35,900.00 and on sub budget management charges $6,300.00. I have suggested that the management company should charge one fee to the community of $42,200.00 which would mean we all pay the same amount for their services but get nothing.

Hummm, you bought into this community knowing the by-laws, did you think they were fair then? Or just now after they raised the rates?

55-and up communities kill me!!!

Hi Marilynn:

I just want to clarify some information please. From what I am reading you have a Master Association and one other Sub-HOA under the Master Association, is this correct?

Which one do you belong?

In the one you belong, what do the documents state as the HOA responsiblity to maintain? Or, are your documents available via on-line to view.

I belong to the sub-budget. Actually I had asked the board about a $52,000.00 charge on their budge for painting and pressure washing their homes. We also pay for this on our budget so it is wrong to charge us on their budget too. Common expenses means "items we share" as a community. The condo residents are not included for this expense so its wrong to charge us for it. I'm not receiving any value for the $2,167.00.