Increase in Amenities Fee

[Barefoot]

Just looked at our Sumter Landing CDD-RAD bills for the past few months (deducted automatically from our bank). I was surprised to see that our amenities fee had increased by 4% (from $130 on March 1 to $135.20 on April 1.)

I'm wondering if this happens automatically each year? I'm sure it's in the "fine print" somewhere. Does anyone out there know what the deal is with increases in monthly amenities? (Probably V07!)

[mfp509]

When I first moved here almost 5 yrs ago, it had just gone up to $105 from $99. It had been $99 for years from what I understand. Now mine is reassessed every January and I am currently paying about $116. I'll have to check my next bill. I personally don't see a need for going up every year - it's just greed.

[chacam]

Amenities fees are based on the CPI, and adjusted from time to time, yearly I think. It should be spelled out in your declaration of restrictions.

[Russ_Boston]

I hate to be the contrarian since i don't have a dog in the fight yet but I can't see how TV is kept to the standards it is on ONLY $130 or so per month. I doubt that it is 'greed'. TV might be a completely different place if it wasn't for the structure of fees that are imposed.

[redwitch]

TV is a big place with a tremendous amount of amenities. The developer doesn't pay for the amenities, the homeowners (and tenants via rent) do. As costs increase, so do amenity fees and don't forget the reserves that must be in place for replacement roofs, road and path maintenance, etc. I've yet to live in a development that had a homeowners association that didn't go up annually. I consider it the nature of the beast.

I'm not a fan of the Morse family, mainly because I've never been a fan of benevolent dictators. At the same time, I accept they have a right to make a profit from their concepts and hard work. This time around, though, I don't think greed is a factor. Rather, I think it is simple need.

[villages07]

When you buy (new or resale), you are assessed the amenity fee in place at that time. So, BF,you probably pay more than your neighbors who are original owners.

I went back and looked at my 7 page "Declaration of Restrictions" document from my closing in Aug 2006. I had remembered hearing that the amenity fee increase was limited to no more than 3% per year. However, I could not find that spelled out in any of the legal docs. Disclaimer....the following is based on my docs....every neighborhood (especially those in place for many years) can be different.

Section 4.1 of my declarations....(paraphrased) monthly fee is based on cost of living for month of sale as reflected in CPI Index, US average of items and food. The month of sale establishes anniversary. Annual adjustments shall be proportional to % increase or decrease in above CPI index. "Adjustments not used on any adjustment date may be made any time thereafter"

So, given increasing costs in food, oil, etc I'm not surprised that the fee has gone up by 4%.

All that being said, $135/month is still a bargain for all the amenities available to us.

What is still a mystery to me, and, I can't find anywhere on the web....is the amentiy fee budget development process or any docs that break down all fees (guest fees, room rental, etc) collected by the amentiy division and a list of outgoing expenses. Also, where is their capital plan, e.g. who decides when it is time to renovate saddlebrook rec center and at what cost. Kahuna...where are you when we need you??? Can you enlighten us?

[golfnut]

good question v07 unfortunately I don't have the answer but look forward to finding out if the annual budgeted/actual expenses are made public and if so where. GN

[drdodge]

The amenties fees go directly to the developer and since he is a private corporation he does not have to open his books to anyone; therefore no public record of how the money is spent. He owns the golf courses and the pools and uses the money to maintain these facilities. I was told this by the main office.

DRD

[mcelheny]

True drdodg!!! :agree:
Most don't realize that "The Family" wasn't putting a cent onto any maintenance fund and lost a 40 million dollar lawsuit on the old side. Thanks to the POA!!!!Or when the developer left we would of had a mess!! :o
Also, on the street where I live with patio villas we all have very different amenity fees from $129 to $146 going up every year. People can't understand why we all don't pay the same amount. Two couples moved and have bought in Stonecrest and pay a much lower fee which is the same for everybody. It includes their lawn mowing and garbage and hasn't gone up in awhile.
I agree with Rewitch that we get alot but I support the POA. I just had my house resided and I did not know a thing was wrong!! :o
About the greed comment, there are business classes here at our state college which use this developer as an example of greed. Mainly for how he hurt the locals and the environment and the villagers have no say. We could really get screwed but as long as they keep trying to sell houses we will be OK. Do you realize how expensive those TV ads are?
Do you realize they get kickbacks from every bank,business etc.
But all said...we just need to work together and stay informed. The place is wonderful.

[chacam]

I believe the amenity fees go to the district, not the developer.
I believe district owns the executive courses and the pools, not the developer.
I believe that new construction of exec courses, pools, rec centers, etc are built by the develpers and are sold to the district shortly thereafter.
I believe the developer owns the championship golf courses and leases their operation to others.
I believe the district is responsible for operation of the amenities, not the developer.

Just what I believe ! !

It's a great deal ! !

[mcelheny]

charcam :agree:

But the districts are controlled by the developer.

[drdodge]

Chacam

What you are believing is wrong. Go to the main office and ask them who owns what . That is where I got my info.
DRD

[drdodge]

In 4 years my amenity fees have gone up $4.00. Not a bad deal when you look at other places and for what we get.

DRD

[drdodge]

Redwitch, the amenities fee has nothing to do with roof replacement or road repair and maintenance.
DRD

[golfnut]

so much information, so little time

[Happy62]

I believe the amenity fees go to the district, not the developer.
I believe district owns the executive courses and the pools, not the developer.
I believe that new construction of exec courses, pools, rec centers, etc are built by the develpers and are sold to the district shortly thereafter.
I believe the developer owns the championship golf courses and leases their operation to others.
I believe the district is responsible for operation of the amenities, not the developer.

Just what I believe ! !

It's a great deal ! !


YOU ARE CORRECT!!!!!!! :agree:

[BUC]

I can't wait to pay $145.00 for unlimited golf on many executive golf courses, and all the pools. It cost me more than that just to maintain my pool every month, during the summer up here in Ga. My golf membership (1) course is 150 per month and we call it the cow pasture, I'm just counting the time until it's my wife and mine time to join yall.

[TomW]

When I talked to the CDD office a few weeks back, they explained that the developer sells the amenities AND the revenue stream from the fees to the CDD. The CDD, as a governments unit, issues a bond to pay the developer up front for the . You all know about the bond! So, according to them, the CDD receives the bond payments that are collected through your taxes as well as the amenities fees to service the bond and to pay for upkeep. That's the word I got.

[DickY]

:agree:
In the CDD orientation, held every week on Thursday At the Sumter CDD Office, That is What happens in all the districts.

[Muncle]

charcam :agree:

But the districts are controlled by the developer.


The CDD directors are elected by the homeowners in that district. In a new district, the majority landowner is the developer. As a CDD evolves, there is a legal procedure that dictates how and when control is turned to a full homeowner, then legal voter control. Hence, in new districts, all 5 directors are de facto appointed by the developer. In established districts like those north of 466, all directors are elected by the voters in the district. In evolving districts like 5 and 6, they are a combination.

Be like DickY. Go to the CDD orientation. Until y'all know the facts, these discussions sound like an Obama rally.

[mcelheny]

Ouch! The former owners of my house are CDD district directors elected by homeowners and they told me that!! It is suppose to be independent but they have stories! I have been to a CDD orientation!

[Frangyomory]

I don't love the Morse family but our fees have only gone from $119 to $127 in three years and we are due for an increase in August, our anniversary date. After talking to friends about other places with a lot less amenities, I don't mind if the fees go to $135 and am just glad that we have so much to do here for so little a fee! :bigthumbsup:

[zcaveman]

Amenities fees are used to pay for the upkeep of recreational facilities. The Deed Restrictions document outlines the Amenity process and the rate. Basically, if you are a new home owner, the amenity fee is frozen for the first three years. After that they go up annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The entire process and amount of the raises are outlined in your Deed Restrictions. In my deed restrictions, it is outlined in sections 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3. The start of your amenity fees is the date of the contract for purchase of the lot. I am not sure but I think the contract signing date of the original house is used for pre-owned homes.

[redwitch]

Redwitch, the amenities fee has nothing to do with roof replacement or road repair and maintenance.
DRD


Considering the amenities include the rec centers and the rec centers have roofs, I'd say that some of those fees do in fact include roof replacement. Ditto the private roads and trails.

[golfnut]

z, we purchased a new home several years ago and amenity fee has increased every year starting on the first anniversary.

[villages07]

Z...

Mr Nut is correct...somewhere in the past couple of years the deed restrictions docs were changed to allow for annual increases. I had heard that the docs used to say 3 years and you have confirmed that that was the case. I assume, but, I could be wrong, that if someone bought your neighor's house that they would assume a current amenity rate and an updated deed restriction that enables annual adjustment.

[golfnut]

OK 07, since when have I been known as Mr Nut, have you been talking to my wife??

[zcaveman]

Z...

Mr Nut is correct...somewhere in the past couple of years the deed restrictions docs were changed to allow for annual increases. I had heard that the docs used to say 3 years and you have confirmed that that was the case. I assume, but, I could be wrong, that if someone bought your neighor's house that they would assume a current amenity rate and an updated deed restriction that enables annual adjustment.


That is true. I should have said to check your Deed Restrictions to see what your amenity fees increase period was set at.

Sorry.