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Okay, here is my beef:
I own and live in a condo unit that is tiny by most
people's standards: less than 800 sq. ft. in interior
space. It is a one bedroom unit, obviously. There are
only eight of these size/type units in my condo community;
the other 178 units are all substantially larger...some
are huge 3 bedroom, two bath units. We ALL are charged the
same amount each month in condo fee (!) which is currently
$235. I have voiced my disdain at this fee structure here
numerous times, but of course it naturally falls on deaf
ears, because people generally don't give a rat's ass about
fairness as long as they're getting the better end of a deal.
It is the general convention of condo communities for the fee
to be based on unit size, because larger units obviously have
larger exteriors to maintain, use more water, and produce
more waste. It is only fair for them to pay more. There is
no chance in hell that the assoc. members would band together
and vote in a change, because most people here have larger
units and I'm sure they're as pleased as punch that we in the
tiny units pay more than our fair share.
So, is there any way to force this change, e.g. hiring a lawyer
who specializes in this type thing to help us eight owners set
this thing right? Many thanks for good replies.
--
Cliff
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"Cliff Freeling" <clifffreeling@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:a0698655.0402191558.64de62ea@posting.google.com...
Okay, here is my beef:
I own and live in a condo unit that is tiny by most
people's standards: less than 800 sq. ft. in interior
space. It is a one bedroom unit, obviously. There are
only eight of these size/type units in my condo community;
the other 178 units are all substantially larger...some
are huge 3 bedroom, two bath units. We ALL are charged the
same amount each month in condo fee (!) which is currently
$235. I have voiced my disdain at this fee structure here
numerous times, but of course it naturally falls on deaf
ears, because people generally don't give a rat's ass about
fairness as long as they're getting the better end of a deal.
It is the general convention of condo communities for the fee
to be based on unit size, because larger units obviously have
larger exteriors to maintain, use more water, and produce
more waste. It is only fair for them to pay more. There is
no chance in hell that the assoc. members would band together
and vote in a change, because most people here have larger
units and I'm sure they're as pleased as punch that we in the
tiny units pay more than our fair share.
So, is there any way to force this change, e.g. hiring a lawyer
who specializes in this type thing to help us eight owners set
this thing right? Many thanks for good replies.
I agree that $235/mo. for a 1-bedroom unit is ridiculous..
That's enough for a car payment! But one reads a contract
(or association agreement) and either signs onto it or doesn't.
Not much you can do after the fact, except to keep lobbying
for changes. You might be surprised -- most people are fair
and would understand why you're trying to change the rules,
even if they don't vote in favor of it. But the time to negotiate
would have been before you bought the place, not after.
Rick
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clifffreeling@yahoo.com (Cliff Freeling) wrote in message news:<a0698655.0402191558.64de62ea@posting.google.com>...
Okay, here is my beef:
I own and live in a condo unit that is tiny by most
people's standards: less than 800 sq. ft. in interior
space. It is a one bedroom unit, obviously. There are
only eight of these size/type units in my condo community;
the other 178 units are all substantially larger...some
are huge 3 bedroom, two bath units. We ALL are charged the
same amount each month in condo fee (!) which is currently
$235. I have voiced my disdain at this fee structure here
numerous times, but of course it naturally falls on deaf
ears, because people generally don't give a rat's ass about
fairness as long as they're getting the better end of a deal.
It is the general convention of condo communities for the fee
to be based on unit size, because larger units obviously have
larger exteriors to maintain, use more water, and produce
more waste. It is only fair for them to pay more. There is
no chance in hell that the assoc. members would band together
and vote in a change, because most people here have larger
units and I'm sure they're as pleased as punch that we in the
tiny units pay more than our fair share.
So, is there any way to force this change, e.g. hiring a lawyer
who specializes in this type thing to help us eight owners set
this thing right? Many thanks for good replies.
I used to own a condo in a complex with three floorplans ranging from
1,100 to 1,400. All units paid the same. I lived with a friend for a
while in his condo - same thing. I grew up in a single family home,
in a housing tract with half a dozen different model sizes and lot
sizes - annual dues for the homeowners association is the same for
all. The gated community my parents live now - same thing. It is
very common.
I don't know how far you will get since the fee is just that, a fee.
Like a membership fee charged per unit. Not per sqauer foot... per
pound...per person... It gives you the same interest in the
association, same voting rights, the same common area use privileges,
etc.
A rhetorical question - Would you want your voting rights, guest
parking privileges, or number of days you could use the pool, etc.
based on the size of the condo you live in?
You could be opening door to having things backfire on you... if you
could get it done at all.
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clifffreeling@yahoo.com (Cliff Freeling) wrote in message news:<a0698655.0402191558.64de62ea@posting.google.com>...
Okay, here is my beef:
I own and live in a condo unit that is tiny by most
people's standards: less than 800 sq. ft. in interior
space. It is a one bedroom unit, obviously. There are
only eight of these size/type units in my condo community;
the other 178 units are all substantially larger...some
are huge 3 bedroom, two bath units. We ALL are charged the
same amount each month in condo fee (!) which is currently
$235. I have voiced my disdain at this fee structure here
numerous times, but of course it naturally falls on deaf
ears, because people generally don't give a rat's ass about
fairness as long as they're getting the better end of a deal.
It is the general convention of condo communities for the fee
to be based on unit size, because larger units obviously have
larger exteriors to maintain, use more water, and produce
more waste. It is only fair for them to pay more. There is
no chance in hell that the assoc. members would band together
and vote in a change, because most people here have larger
units and I'm sure they're as pleased as punch that we in the
tiny units pay more than our fair share.
So, is there any way to force this change, e.g. hiring a lawyer
who specializes in this type thing to help us eight owners set
this thing right? Many thanks for good replies.
Elect a majority of the board and change the fee structure?
Put an amendment to the fee structure on the ballot at the next annual
meeting, and get a majority of the owners to vote for it?
If you don't have a majority of the votes behind you, there isn't much
you can do.
And there is no such "general convention": the fee structure for a
condominium development is whatever is established in the bylaws,
CC&Rs, whatever that were laid down when the thing was built. Flat
fees per unit are not unusual, unless there is some local law that
says otherwise.
--
Chris Green
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It is the general convention of condo communities for the fee
to be based on unit size, because larger units obviously have
larger exteriors to maintain, use more water, and produce
more waste.<<
Cliff
Am I to understand that utilities are included in this fee? Really- 600 ft
of floor space doesn't add a huge amount of maintainable exterior space.
I've seen many one bedroom units occupied by three people, and the same with
three bedroom units occupied by three people. Considering all the variables,
I think you'd have to come up with a complex formula to try to make it fair.
In the end the only way it would be fair is if everyone fended for
themselves. Tough to do when you all own the same chunk of land.
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curtisccr@sbcglobal.net (Curtis CCR) wrote in message news:<c678797a.0402191815.69b9c740@posting.google.com>...
I used to own a condo in a complex with three floorplans ranging from
1,100 to 1,400. All units paid the same. I lived with a friend for a
while in his condo - same thing.
I'm surprised to hear this from so many people here. Most (if not all)
of the condos in my area are charged according to size. And after
NG googling on the subject, that practice seems to be very common
nationwide, at least from my samplings in the past. But BTW, the
size range you mention above is quite small. The size range at our
property is huge!
I grew up in a single family home,
in a housing tract with half a dozen different model sizes and lot
sizes - annual dues for the homeowners association is the same for
all. The gated community my parents live now - same thing. It is
very common.
Yes, but don't free-standing houses in assoc. communities have
to have exterior repairs done at *owner's* expense? In other words,
the association does not pay for these repairs on the houses, do they?
I don't know how far you will get since the fee is just that, a fee.
Like a membership fee charged per unit. Not per sqauer foot... per
pound...per person... It gives you the same interest in the
association, same voting rights, the same common area use privileges,
etc.
A rhetorical question - Would you want your voting rights, guest
parking privileges, or number of days you could use the pool, etc.
based on the size of the condo you live in?
It's funny, even though I'm very fit and outdoorsy, I have never even
visited the pool; and I've lived here nearly five years. It's one of
those things I've meant to do, but haven't gotten around to it yet.
I've used the tennis courts maybe once or twice.
--
Cliff
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Cliff,
You have elected to live in the socialistic ran housing. Therefore, you must pay
as your comrades decide that you should pay. Unfortunately there is nothing you
can do about it.
So Enjoy.
-Sub
Okay, here is my beef:
I own and live in a condo unit that is tiny by most
people's standards: less than 800 sq. ft. in interior
space. It is a one bedroom unit, obviously. There are
only eight of these size/type units in my condo community;
the other 178 units are all substantially larger...some
are huge 3 bedroom, two bath units. We ALL are charged the
same amount each month in condo fee (!) which is currently
$235. I have voiced my disdain at this fee structure here
numerous times, but of course it naturally falls on deaf
ears, because people generally don't give a rat's ass about
fairness as long as they're getting the better end of a deal.
It is the general convention of condo communities for the fee
to be based on unit size, because larger units obviously have
larger exteriors to maintain, use more water, and produce
more waste. It is only fair for them to pay more. There is
no chance in hell that the assoc. members would band together
and vote in a change, because most people here have larger
units and I'm sure they're as pleased as punch that we in the
tiny units pay more than our fair share.
So, is there any way to force this change, e.g. hiring a lawyer
who specializes in this type thing to help us eight owners set
this thing right? Many thanks for good replies.
--
Cliff
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clifffreeling@yahoo.com (Cliff Freeling) wrote:
Okay, here is my beef:
I own and live in a condo unit that is tiny by most
people's standards: less than 800 sq. ft. in interior
space. It is a one bedroom unit, obviously. There are
only eight of these size/type units in my condo community;
the other 178 units are all substantially larger...some
are huge 3 bedroom, two bath units. We ALL are charged the
same amount each month in condo fee (!) which is currently
$235. I have voiced my disdain at this fee structure here
numerous times, but of course it naturally falls on deaf
ears, because people generally don't give a rat's ass about
fairness as long as they're getting the better end of a deal.
It is the general convention of condo communities for the fee
to be based on unit size, because larger units obviously have
larger exteriors to maintain, use more water, and produce
more waste. It is only fair for them to pay more. There is
no chance in hell that the assoc. members would band together
and vote in a change, because most people here have larger
units and I'm sure they're as pleased as punch that we in the
tiny units pay more than our fair share.
So, is there any way to force this change, e.g. hiring a lawyer
who specializes in this type thing to help us eight owners set
this thing right? Many thanks for good replies.
My parents own a condo in Northern Virginia and so does my coworker.
The fees are always the same for all condos in this area. This is
because most of the things you list as different from condo to condo
are really not driven by size: water and sewage; and some don't differ
much with size.
Most importantly, the most expensive part of the condo complex upkeep
- grounds, common facilities, snow removal, and so on - are shared by
all condo owners equally, regardless of the size of their units.
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In article <a0698655.0402191558.64de62ea@posting.google.com>,
clifffreeling@yahoo.com (Cliff Freeling) wrote:
So, is there any way to force this change, e.g. hiring a lawyer
who specializes in this type thing to help us eight owners set
this thing right? Many thanks for good replies.
Try doing some research at a local law library, but I suspect you
are screwed. The time for you to express concern for this issue
was when you were shopping for a home. If you had considered this
issue carefully before you agreed to buy your condo, you would have
had some leverage, and at the very least, opted out of the deal.
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