assessment increase

Started by MaryannC1 • 9 replies • 713 views

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MaryannC1 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 30

Posted:

Our HOA is requesting an increase in our assessments. Most people seem to agree that the increase is necessary. My question is: should homeowners with multiple properties (undeveloped and developed)have to pay the increase on each individual piece of property or just for their main residence? They were thinking of a $25 increase per property, but some people are saying it should only be $25 per family (owner). Each separate piece of property seems fair to me, not the other way. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

BarbaraT1 (Texas)
Posts: 821

Posted:

What do your governing documents say about how lots are assessed?

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Your governing docs will state how assessments will be issued.

Its almost impossible to change that no matter how you feel about it.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

I concur with the others - check your documents. I bet the assessment will be necessary on all properties, as they should be. Everyone shares in the association's expenses and when something's done on the common area, the work will impact all the units (and that's how the contractor will price it), so if you own more than one property, you need to pay for expenses related to all of them.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

DouglasK1 (Florida)
Posts: 2,046

Posted:

As Barbara and Steve have said, how assessments are divided should be in your governing docs. Generally in most single family home associations, a uniform rate of assessment is specified. In some cases undeveloped lots might be assessed differently. In condos the assessments are sometimes based on square footage or some other variable, but in any case are fixed by the docs and can't be changed by the will of the board or a small subset of owners.

It is unlikely that your docs would support assessing lots differently just because somebody owns more than one.

Escaped former treasurer and director of a self managed association.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

In our condo building each "lot" is separately assessed. Also those who own more than one are assessed for each one. Combining units still means the owner has two lots. and they're assessed for each.

MaryannC1 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 30

Posted:

Thank you! That's the way it's done here so I would think that an increase means on every piece of property. Our general membership meeting is this Sat. and it's going to be brought up.

DouglasK1 (Florida)
Posts: 2,046

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MaryannC1 on 10/09/2018 9:22 AM
That's the way it's done here so I would think that an increase means on every piece of property.

Hopefully that means that's how it is specified in governing documents. Note that assessing contrary to the docs could open the association to being sued by owners who recognize that it is being done incorrectly.

Escaped former treasurer and director of a self managed association.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Entirely agree with Douglas!
"How it's done here," may be incorrect!

MaryannC1 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 30

Posted:

Thank you, everyone! You have all been so helpful!

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