TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION AMENITY FEES

[mrskkb]

Just curious about the different amounts we pay for AMENITY FEES HERE.

I live in Summerhill. North of 466.

Mine are $ 130.72.

Next calculation will be May 1st.

What are yours?

[handieman]

$132.??
Handie :joke:

[boobear51751]

Depends on when you how long you have been year and what month you bought when your amount changes. At least that is what I was told when I asked at the office. 128.22 here.

[another Linda]

We are also north of 466. $132 for us.

[Muncle]

Mine is $73.25 'cus they said I was a real nice guy.

Okay, just said that to tick people off. It's $127.33. Your location doesn't matter, just when you moved in. I moved here in '05.

[islandgal]

Moved here in '06 $133.37

[Russ_Boston]

Not much of a discussion. Seems like they are basically the same, give or take.

[golfnut]

$132

[Floridagal]

Live on the south side of 466. Moved here in '04 and mine is $126.50.

[schotzyb]

$126.91 Purchased in November 03

[mrskkb]

I too purchased in late 2005.

My new neighbors purchased in the summer of 2007.

Their fee is 160.00

Seems to be quite a jump.

This is why I was asking the question.

How high will they go in the future?

Will there be a cap at some point in time?

What are your thoughts?

[spruillie]

The neighbor is including trash, water, and sewer.

[mrskkb]

No, they are not. I saw the invoice.

[Floridagal]

just curious...why are their different amenity fees?

[mrskkb]

That is why I posted this question.

I moved here from a development in Ft Lauderdale.

Zero lot line homes.

We paid 250.00 quarterly.

Included basic service from Comcast and lawn maintence.

Mowing and fertilizing.

I'm sure the fee has gone up since the fall of 2005.

So how high are the amenity fees going to go up here?

Has anyone ever put this question out there to the people governing us?

[villages07]

Scooter,

My understanding, although not sure I ever saw it in blood/writing, is that once your fee is established, it cannot increase more than 3% a year. That doesn't mean that new owners (of either new houses or resales) won't have a much higher starting rate than someone who bought a year ago, but, once you establish your base, increase is limited to 3% a year.

So, in answer to how high it can go, do the math at 3% a year on top of what you're paying now and you can presumably project out a worst case fee.

I, too, am surprised that a new owner would have a $160/month amenity. That seems like too much of a jump in the past year. Dicky, Stiles, gfMucci, other recent buyers....what amenity fee are you paying?

[another Linda]

We bought about the same time -- late spring 2007 -- and we are paying $132 as I mentioned. With water, sewer, trash, and all it comes to around $160, but not for just amenities.

[DickY]

The amenity fee is set in the Declaration of Covenants, Condition and Restrictions for the Villages in the county of the real property and recorded in the official plat book.

Some excerpts from mine are: Article III "Each Owner hereby agrees to pay a monthly fee or charge (the "Contractual Amenities Fee") against each Homesite for the benefit and use of the recreation and other amenities in the amount per month set forth in such Owner's deed." "The monthly Contractual Amenities Fee as set forth in this section is based on the cost of living for the month of sale as reflected in the Consumer Price Index, U.S. Average of Items and Food, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor (the Index). "There shall be an annual adjustment in the monthly Contractual Amenities Fee. The adjustment shall be proportional to the percentage increase or decrease in the Index. Each adjustment shal be in effect for the intervening one year period." There is more legalese language in that article but that is part of the what is recorded in the documents that you get when you are ready to buy in The Villages.

My fee is currently $130.

[mrskkb]

Thanks for all of your input.

She called and they apologized for their mistake.

It is being taken care of.

[Sidney Lanier]

We closed on our house in late November and our amenity fee has been an even $130; we're south of 466.

[golfnut]

Best $132/month I've ever spent!