Are amenity fees going up??

[Rainger99]

I was looking at The Villages website on the cost of living. It says that the amenity fee is $179. My current fee is $164. Does anyone know if it is going up to $179 this year??

[Papa_lecki]

I think the fee goes up every year by the cost of living (i think the consumer price index). Also, the amenity fee is increasing for new construction.

CPI for Nov was 6.8% - so $164 *1.068 = $175.

[SKIMAN]

see todays Daily Sun has story on it....

[dewilson58]

I was looking at The Villages website on the cost of living. It says that the amenity fee is $179. My current fee is $164. Does anyone know if it is going up to $179 this year??

Eventually.

Someday.

Yes.

[davem4616]

does a bear do 'you know what' in the woods?

[fdpaq0580]

does a bear do 'you know what' in the woods?

Which bear? Why he or she or it in the woods to begin with? I have no idea what it does when it is in the woods. The only thing I'm fairly sure of is the Pope is Catholic.
😯?

[mgb10155]

Read it in today's daily Sun for new and resales as of the first of the year.

[justjim]

Definitely amenities fees are going up to $179.00 mo. for new and resale homes. The Developer controls and “pulls the trigger” on this increase. I understand the control on new homes but the resales seems a stretch. However, it’s probably in the “fine print” we signed somewhere. No needs to fret over something which we have no control. Fore…

[Rainger99]

Read it in today's daily Sun for new and resales as of the first of the year.

Does that mean that it will not go up to $179 for those of us who currently own?

[dewilson58]

Does that mean that it will not go up to $179 for those of us who currently own?

It's not always everyone.

[Kenswing]

Does that mean that it will not go up to $179 for those of us who currently own?
That is correct. Current owner's fees are tied to the CPI.

[fdpaq0580]

Does that mean that it will not go up to $179 for those of us who currently own?

I'm guessing that as the cost maintaining our amenities goes up, so will the fees. Cost of living, ya know.

[MrFlorida]

Yes, mine went up as well...

[JMintzer]

Which bear? Why he or she or it in the woods to begin with? I have no idea what it does when it is in the woods. The only thing I'm fairly sure of is the Pope is Catholic.
😯?

But is the bear Catholic and does the Pope... Er, never mind...

[LuvtheVillages]

Does that mean that it will not go up to $179 for those of us who currently own?

Not immediately.

Your amenity fee will go up every year, in the anniversary month of when you bought, by the CPI index percentage.

So in a few years your fee will be more than $179.

[mtdjed]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rainger99 View Post
Does that mean that it will not go up to $179 for those of us who currently own?

That is correct. Current owner's fees are tied to the CPI.


Well, that would mean that my current rate of $165 a CPI increase of about 8.5% would put me at about $179. Not likely but.....

[Topspinmo]

I was looking at The Villages website on the cost of living. It says that the amenity fee is $179. My current fee is $164. Does anyone know if it is going up to $179 this year??

Yes, they will never go down. So say only if you buy new or resale. But in my district it went up anyway. So far pretty good bargain, but we see in couple years of inflation?

Also they removed the cap so it can go up any time.

[Topspinmo]

That is correct. Current owner's fees are tied to the CPI.


They untied that when the removed the cap.

[Worldseries27]

#1. The bear is yogi.

#2. The word " is" is problematic. Pres. Bc said, " it depends upon what the definition of is, is". So i think that clears it all up.

[msilagy]

That $179 is for new homes, yours will stay the same and go up as normal.

[GRACEALLEMAN]

I was looking at The Villages website on the cost of living. It says that the amenity fee is $179. My current fee is $164. Does anyone know if it is going up to $179 this year??
The taxes are only going out for new construction

[Lindaws]

Yes. That won’t be the end of it.

[OhioBuckeye]

Yea, they will probably continue to go up as things keep getting older. I hope nobody really thought the adult play toys would get cheaper. TV say there’s 2,000 things to do there plus clubs. Nobody really thought amenities would get cheaper did they. Everybody will get to old to do anything TV offers, then it’ll get expensive to pay to do nothing. Remember TV have expenses too!

[vagent711]

I was looking at The Villages website on the cost of living. It says that the amenity fee is $179. My current fee is $164. Does anyone know if it is going up to $179 this year??

TOTV is a great forum. I read it every day but for factual info I recommend you go to the source. While several answers to this were correct, you could go to
District Customer Service Center at (352) 753-4508 or stop by the office at 984 Old Mill Run in downtown Lake Sumter Landing.

[Bogie Shooter]

The taxes are only going out for new construction

What does this mean? How did taxes become a part of this thread?

[Bogie Shooter]

Yea, they will probably continue to go up as things keep getting older. I hope nobody really thought the adult play toys would get cheaper. TV say there’s 2,000 things to do there plus clubs. Nobody really thought amenities would get cheaper did they. Everybody will get to old to do anything TV offers, then it’ll get expensive to pay to do nothing. Remember TV have expenses too!

From a non Villager...................

[Papa_lecki]

When is the increase calculated?

If its Dec, CPI went up by 7% in Dec 2021 - so your $164 amenity fee isn’t going to $179 - it’s only going to $175.

[Rzepecki]

They untied that when the removed the cap.

Incorrect.

[joelfmi]

Definitely amenities fees are going up to $179.00 mo. for new and resale homes. The Developer controls and “pulls the trigger” on this increase. I understand the control on new homes but the resales seems a stretch. However, it’s probably in the “fine print” we signed somewhere. No needs to fret over something which we have no control. Fore… Thanks for the transparency. which is needed before we look to buy at the villages.

[DonnaNi4os]

Mine already went up. I called and was told that it increased on the anniversary of my closing and everyone’s will also.

[Bilyclub]

From a non Villager...................


His 8 years here must have been great so he can't let go.

[kcrazorbackfan]

[QUOTE=Rainger99;2048482]I was looking at The Villages website on the cost of living. It says that the amenity fee is $179. My current fee is $164. Does anyone know if it is going up to $179 this year??[/QUOT


The $179 is for people purchasing after January 1, 2022. I’m sure those of us that have houses before that date are going to see a price increase because of the cost of living.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I was looking at The Villages website on the cost of living. It says that the amenity fee is $179. My current fee is $164. Does anyone know if it is going up to $179 this year??


The $179 is for people purchasing after January 1, 2022. I’m sure those of us that have houses before that date are going to see a price increase because of the cost of living.

Yes our rates went up from last year. Everyone received the notification in the mail about it.

[RealJudy]

It is $179 per month for buyers of a new or pre-owned home. It can change on the anniversary date of the original sale date of the home site.

[frose]

of course they are going up, this is the villages after all..

[CWGUY]

:ho: See post #4 in this link from last month.....explains it well for people that don't know what they signed for at closing.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/amenity-fees-2022-a-326910/?highlight=amenity

:popcorn:

[Rainger99]

As far as I can tell, if you close after 1/1/22, your amenity fee will be $179. If you closed before 1/1/22, it will go up on the anniversary date of your closing.

Will everyone's amenity fee then go up to $179? Or will everyone's amenity fee go up based on the rate of inflation? Is that calculated yearly (the inflation rate for 2021) or for the inflation rate for the 12 months before your anniversary date? Do they use a rolling inflation rate? All of 2021 for everyone so that everyone will be paying $179 - or do they do individual calculations for everyone?

[Marathon Man]

of course they are going up, this is the villages after all..

Because nothing goes up anywhere else?????

[Chiefhyde]

Why are we not collecting a fee from all the outside people who are coming to the town squares ? Use that money 💰 to defray the amenity fees


We have all the new apartments going up all around us and I am sure a lot of those people are enjoying the free entertainment we are paying for

[dewilson58]

Why are we not collecting a fee from all the outside people who are coming to the town squares ? Use that money 💰 to defray the amenity fees


We have all the new apartments going up all around us and I am sure a lot of those people are enjoying the free entertainment we are paying for

Please educate yourself before posting. :coolsmiley:

[yankygrl]

As far as I can tell, if you close after 1/1/22, your amenity fee will be $179. If you closed before 1/1/22, it will go up on the anniversary date of your closing.

Will everyone's amenity fee then go up to $179? Or will everyone's amenity fee go up based on the rate of inflation? Is that calculated yearly (the inflation rate for 2021) or for the inflation rate for the 12 months before your anniversary date? Do they use a rolling inflation rate? All of 2021 for everyone so that everyone will be paying $179 - or do they do individual calculations for everyone?
That is not what an article in the daily sun stated. There is NO INCREASE to current home owners only new purchases after 1 January 2022. I have lived here almost 12 years and only increases were when I purchased another home, it was at whatever the current rate was/is.

[CWGUY]

Please educate yourself before posting. :coolsmiley:

:ohdear: I always find the lack of knowledge about how things work around here very amazing. There are sooooo many that don't have a clue........

People there are resources to educate yourself all about the operation of the Villages and our Community Development District form of government - from orientations put on by The VHA and the District to a great District Web Site etc. :popcorn:

GWN has put alot of work into YOUTUBE videos that explain many things in great, easy to understand detail.

[Papa_lecki]

Why are we not collecting a fee from all the outside people who are coming to the town squares ? Use that money ������ to defray the amenity fees


We have all the new apartments going up all around us and I am sure a lot of those people are enjoying the free entertainment we are paying for

How do you police that? Do you only pay if you are in the square listening to music? What if you are on the outside, waiting for a dinner reservation? What about if your kids/grandkids come down, do they pay? What about visitors planning to buy a house?
Maybe a toll at the entrances to the squares? (AND I AM KIDDING ABOUT THE TOLL)

[dewilson58]

:ohdear: I always find the lack of knowledge about how things work around here very amazing. There are sooooo many that don't have a clue........

People there are resources to educate yourself all about the operation of the Villages and our Community Development District form of government - from orientations put on by The VHA and the District to a great District Web Site etc. :popcorn:

I don't mind information seekers, it's the Negative Nillies that come on here swinging.
:ohdear::ohdear:

[judithamorrison]

I was looking at The Villages website on the cost of living. It says that the amenity fee is $179. My current fee is $164. Does anyone know if it is going up to $179 this year??

The higher fee only kicks in if you buy another house,

[dewilson58]

The higher fee only kicks in if you buy another house,

another house or a new construction ???

[CWGUY]

I don't mind information seekers, it's the Negative Nillies that come on here swinging.
:ohdear::ohdear:

:coolsmiley: I agree. Nothing wrong with people trying to learn. I also don't care for all the negative stuff.......but I really dislike the posts from people that don't know what they are talking about. A good example would be a post from someone who has lived here 12 years and doesn't know the amenity fees can go up ever year on their anniversary. :ohdear: I'm looking at my files - amenity charge 12/09 was $130.75 and 12/21 is $164.41
I'm sure hers went up also. :icon_wink:

[CWGUY]

:ohdear: "outside people" ...... some days I am embarrassed to say I live here! :o

[Bogie Shooter]

Unknowing posters that post wild a$$ guess of information, could easily educate themselves by reading all of the posts on a thread not just the OP and then type away!

[dewilson58]

Unknowing posters that post wild a$$ guess of information, could easily educate themselves by reading all of the posts on a thread not just the OP and then type away!

or how many combinations to a keypad with four non-repeating key strokes.

:clap2::clap2::clap2:

[Worldseries27]

yes. That won’t be the end of it.
no worries, when bbb shows up here i'm sure our costs will be defrayed by offsets eg.

1. Toll booths at all village's gates. Will accept sunpass.

2. Parking fees for vehicles to enter all commercial and residential parking areas. Sun pass accepted.

3. Charge by the pound at weigh stations for golf carts and passengers. Sunpass accepted

4. All drones will be charged flight time. Sun pass accepted.

5. All water views for residents and non residents will be charged at zoo park rates. Sun pass accepted

6. All bridges over 44 and turnpike will also have tolls. Sunpass accepted

7. Ballfields will charge admission fees for spectators and participants alike. Sunpass accepted.

8. Visiting children and grandchildren will be billed as tourists entering the pyramids. Sun pass accepted.

9. Mail boxes will accept sunpass to open.

10. Golf balls in air will be charged at drone rates. Sunpass accepted

11. I just awoke, what's going on?

[DAVES]

That is correct. Current owner's fees are tied to the CPI.

Fair is always a question and often an argument. People endlessly discuss CPI consumer price index. Last time I looked it is roughly 7%. We all pay that after taxes. Assuming your top tax rate is 30%. You need to make 10% just to be even.

[DAVES]

:ohdear: "outside people" ...... some days I am embarrassed to say I live here! :o

Embarrassed by others. Simple life view. If, you allow what others think to effect your self view you grant power to others that is and should be yours.

On this website and others just like it. People form OPINIONS of people they simply do not know. HATE like so many other words is used so often that it has lost all meaning.

I hope AWESOME has finally met it's end. When everything is/was awesome, awesome means nothing. I look forward to the day, perhaps, not soon, certainly not soon enough for me to mostly fade from the minds of far too many.

For me there are few people I care about enough that they have any influence on me whatsoever.

[Bogie Shooter]

Embarrassed by others. Simple life view. If, you allow what others think to effect your self view you grant power to others that is and should be yours.

On this website and others just like it. People form OPINIONS of people they simply do not know. HATE like so many other words is used so often that it has lost all meaning.

I hope AWESOME has finally met it's end. When everything is/was awesome, awesome means nothing. I look forward to the day, perhaps, not soon, certainly not soon enough for me to mostly fade from the minds of far too many.

For me there are few people I care about enough that they have any influence on me whatsoever.

Is this like a :boom:?

[DaleDivine]

I was looking at The Villages website on the cost of living. It says that the amenity fee is $179. My current fee is $164. Does anyone know if it is going up to $179 this year??

Just got my new CSU bill today. Mine went from $160.04 to $170.94 this month and this is not my anniversary month.
:shocked::shocked::ohdear:

[JMintzer]

Embarrassed by others. Simple life view. If, you allow what others think to effect your self view you grant power to others that is and should be yours.

On this website and others just like it. People form OPINIONS of people they simply do not know. HATE like so many other words is used so often that it has lost all meaning.

I hope AWESOME has finally met it's end. When everything is/was awesome, awesome means nothing. I look forward to the day, perhaps, not soon, certainly not soon enough for me to mostly fade from the minds of far too many.

For me there are few people I care about enough that they have any influence on me whatsoever.

AWESOME post! Wait, what?

[Goldwingnut]

I've put these up before but obviously there are still a few people that need to get a little more information. In 2020 I posted a series of 3 videos about the amenity fee explaining what they are, where they come from, and where the money goes. Here's links to these videos

72 The Amenity Fee (part 1) and The Villages 7-26-2020 Construction Update - YouTube (https://youtu.be/RDjafwcRtQg)
73 The Amenity Fee (part 2) and The Villages 8-17-20 Construction Update - YouTube (https://youtu.be/EsFulbLR32w)
78 The Villages 9-20-2020 Construction Update and $10,000 give away results - YouTube (https://youtu.be/IVsSTBr4Wo0)

Here's a link to the entire play list that also includes videos about the Bond and Maintenance Assessments.

The Villages Information/Fees Videos - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhsy5KtCo4HAND0Dbf0JXOwQl_Py42dSX)

Even if you're familiar with these fees, watching the videos again will amaze you at how much things have changed in the last 18 months.

[Goldwingnut]

I've put these up before but obviously there are still a few people that need to get a little more information. In 2020 I posted a series of 3 videos about the amenity fee explaining what they are, where they come from, and where the money goes. Here's links to these videos

72 The Amenity Fee (part 1) and The Villages 7-26-2020 Construction Update - YouTube (https://youtu.be/RDjafwcRtQg)
73 The Amenity Fee (part 2) and The Villages 8-17-20 Construction Update - YouTube (https://youtu.be/EsFulbLR32w)
78 The Villages 9-20-2020 Construction Update and $10,000 give away results - YouTube (https://youtu.be/IVsSTBr4Wo0)

Here's a link to the entire play list that also includes videos about the Bond and Maintenance Assessments.

The Villages Information/Fees Videos - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhsy5KtCo4HAND0Dbf0JXOwQl_Py42dSX)

Even if you're familiar with these fees, watching the videos again will amaze you at how much things have changed in the last 18 months.

[LuvtheVillages]

Just got my new CSU bill today. Mine went from $160.04 to $170.94 this month and this is not my anniversary month.
:shocked::shocked::ohdear:

If you bought a pre-owned home, then the anniversary month is the month that the original owners bought. Not the month that you bought.

[Laker14]

I am trying to come up with a list of things that are bought and paid for by my amenity fee that won't cost more in 2022, than they did in 2020. I haven't so far.
Labor?
Flowers?
Keeping the rec centers clean and inviting?
Executive course maintenance and equipment?
Materials to maintain the pickleball courts?
Equipment to maintain the common areas?
Every facet of every service provided by the amenity fees is subject to the effect of inflationary cost increases. In what world would it be possible to maintain the level of service we expect and NOT have it cost more to provide?

[wootenre]

This is correct in my case, $164 to $175. I signed a contract on a preowned home in June 2021 and settled at the end of August 2021. When I called about my increase since I had only been here about 4 months I was told that it is not increased on the anniversary of your purchase date but the anniversary of the developer's purchase of the land.

[Goldwingnut]

This is correct in my case, $164 to $175. I signed a contract on a preowned home in June 2021 and settled at the end of August 2021. When I called about my increase since I had only been here about 4 months I was told that it is not increased on the anniversary of your purchase date but the anniversary of the developer's purchase of the land.

This is a first, and it makes absolutely no sense. The developer may purchase the land in some cases more than a decade in advance of building and may transfer the land between any number of holding or shell companies that they own before the actual original sale of the home occurs. IF this were in fact the date that was to be used then every home between 466 and 466a would have the same anniversary date for the increase, the same would hold true for all the homes in Fenney-DeSoto, and Brandford-Chitty Chatty-Hawkins-St Catherine-Citrus Grove-Cason Hammock, CDD9-10, and so on.

I'm going to reach out to the District staff in the morning and get the correct answer for what date is used for the CPI adjustment. I'll share it when I get the information.

[dewilson58]

This is a first, and it makes absolutely no sense.

Agree.

My Covenants states the month of Contract of Sale of Homesite.

:eclipsee_gold_cup:

[HIgolfers]

This is a first, and it makes absolutely no sense. The developer may purchase the land in some cases more than a decade in advance of building and may transfer the land between any number of holding or shell companies that they own before the actual original sale of the home occurs. IF this were in fact the date that was to be used then every home between 466 and 466a would have the same anniversary date for the increase, the same would hold true for all the homes in Fenney-DeSoto, and Brandford-Chitty Chatty-Hawkins-St Catherine-Citrus Grove-Cason Hammock, CDD9-10, and so on.

I'm going to reach out to the District staff in the morning and get the correct answer for what date is used for the CPI adjustment. I'll share it when I get the information.

Will be interested in what you find out Goldwingnut.

We bought new construction and closed on March 28, 2017. Looking back at my bills, my amenity fee has increased each year on Jan 1. Went from 145 in 2017, 148.19 in 2018, 151.42 in 2019, 154.53 in 2020, 156.35 in 2021, 167 in 2022.

[Goldwingnut]

I've looked back on my own Amenity Fee for the almost 8 years I've lived here, the fee has gone up every March, the same month my home was put on the market by the developer.
The CPI that is used is based on the previous 12 months, not the calendar year, so the amount of increase will vary from month to month but eventually over time it all works out to be the same amount.
The inflation of the past year has really hit hard.
The CPI adjustment isn't very accurate and usually falls short of actual inflation (politics - can't inflation look too bad), the Developers annual adjustment of the prevailing rate that has been made for the last few years is a much more accurate measure of how much the cost to operate the facilities has gone up. With the CPI adjustments, we continue to lose ground on the budget for amenities, the reset to the prevailing rate on a home resale helps make that gap up.
Had we not dropped the deferral rate a few years ago, the amenity budget would be in the red by about $5 million this year and increasing each year.

[Rainger99]

[QUOTE=Goldwingnut;205521
I'm going to reach out to the District staff in the morning and get the correct answer for what date is used for the CPI adjustment. I'll share it when I get the information.[/QUOTE]

Do they use a rolling CPI or a yearly CPI? A rolling CPI would be the inflation for the previous 12 months so a person who bought in July, 2021, CPI would be calculated for the 12 months ending June 30, 2022. A yearly CPI would be the CPI for 2021. If you use the latter, everyone’s CPI would be the same. If you used a rolling CPI, there would be 12 different CPIs.

[Goldwingnut]

Do they use a rolling CPI or a yearly CPI? A rolling CPI would be the inflation for the previous 12 months so a person who bought in July, 2021, CPI would be calculated for the 12 months ending June 30, 2022. A yearly CPI would be the CPI for 2021. If you use the latter, everyone’s CPI would be the same. If you used a rolling CPI, there would be 12 different CPIs.

Didn't I just answer this in the previous post?
It's the rolling 12 month CPI.

[CWGUY]

Didn't I just answer this in the previous post?
It's the rolling 12 month CPI.

You did. Some of us read it. I don't think he did! :ohdear: I'm always amazed how many didn't ask these questions before buying. Hence my new avatar and my signature. :)

[donfey]

Does that mean that it will not go up to $179 for those of us who currently own?

Just paid mine - $179. Not a new owner.

[rustyp]

My Dec 2021 amenity bill was $155.00. Dec 2021 raised to $169.53, That equals a 9.4% increase. I can not find a rolling 12 month CPI to equal 9.4%. What am I missing ? Not complaining simply seeking education.

[Goldwingnut]

My Dec 2021 amenity bill was $155.00. Dec 2021 raised to $169.53, That equals a 9.4% increase. I can not find a rolling 12 month CPI to equal 9.4%. What am I missing ? Not complaining simply seeking education.

I went checking my email from the District Staff, they provide the CPI adjustments to us (District Supervisors) every month. Most homes have a CPI adjustment every year and apparently some have it based on the 3 year rolling CPI (I'm checking on this also this morning). Here's the body of several of the emails I've received on CPI adjustments:

Jan 21,2022
The following is being forwarded to you at the request of Anne Hochsprung…
Please note the change in the Consumer Price Index – All Urban Consumers, Not Seasonally Adjusted, US City Average, All items is as follows:
For the one year period December 2020 – December 2021, CPI increased by 7.036%.
The three year CPI increase from December 2018 – December 2021 was 10.973%
This increase will be used to adjust Amenity Fees for those properties with an February 2022 anniversary date.
Please let me know if you would like any additional information.

Excerpts from other similar emails:

For the one year period October 2020 – October 2021, CPI increased by 6.222%.
The three year CPI increase from October 2018 – October 2021 was 9.373%

For the one year period September 2020 – September 2021, CPI increased by 5.390%.
The three year CPI increase from September 2018 – September 2021 was 8.664%

For the one year period August 2020 – August 2021, CPI increased by 5.251%.
The three year CPI increase from August 2018 – August 2021 was 8.495%

For the one year period July 2020 – July 2021, CPI increased by 5.365%.
The three year CPI increase from July 2018 – July 2021 was 8.332%

For the one year period June 2020 – June 2021, CPI increased by 5.391%.
The three year CPI increase from June 2018 – June 2021 was 7.821%

For the one year period May 2020 – May 2021, CPI increased by 4.993%.
The three year CPI increase from May 2018 – May 2021 was 6.998%

I have many more months of these numbers, but these are a good example of how the rolling 12 month average CPI is changing.

Not knowing your exact address, it is impossible to say what CPI was applied to your previous Amenity Fee amount was. As the adjustments are made at an accuracy of 5 decimal places (% + 3 decimal places) I find it absolutely amazing that your previous Fee was exactly $155.00, the odds on such a round number occurring must be so astronomically small. Stranger things have happened...

[rustyp]

[QUOTE=Goldwingnut;2055456]I went checking my email from the District Staff, they provide the CPI adjustments to us (District Supervisors) every month. Most homes have a CPI adjustment every year and apparently some have it based on the 3 year rolling CPI (I'm checking on this also this morning). Here's the body of several of the emails I've received on CPI adjustments:

BINGO - My amenities fee reach the magic $155 and were locked at $155 for at least three years. Now that they lifted the top stop it appears they are imposing the three year rolling CPI to catch up on the frozen period. To me that's akin to a retroactive law being passed - dirty pool !

That's like the IRS changing the tax brackets and applying the changes backwards 3 years and adding it to this years tax bill.

[rustyp]

I went checking my email from the District Staff, they provide the CPI adjustments to us (District Supervisors) every month. Most homes have a CPI adjustment every year and apparently some have it based on the 3 year rolling CPI (I'm checking on this also this morning). Here's the body of several of the emails I've received on CPI adjustments:

Jan 21,2022
The following is being forwarded to you at the request of Anne Hochsprung…
Please note the change in the Consumer Price Index – All Urban Consumers, Not Seasonally Adjusted, US City Average, All items is as follows:
For the one year period December 2020 – December 2021, CPI increased by 7.036%.
The three year CPI increase from December 2018 – December 2021 was 10.973%
This increase will be used to adjust Amenity Fees for those properties with an February 2022 anniversary date.
Please let me know if you would like any additional information.

Excerpts from other similar emails:

For the one year period October 2020 – October 2021, CPI increased by 6.222%.
The three year CPI increase from October 2018 – October 2021 was 9.373%

For the one year period September 2020 – September 2021, CPI increased by 5.390%.
The three year CPI increase from September 2018 – September 2021 was 8.664%

For the one year period August 2020 – August 2021, CPI increased by 5.251%.
The three year CPI increase from August 2018 – August 2021 was 8.495%

For the one year period July 2020 – July 2021, CPI increased by 5.365%.
The three year CPI increase from July 2018 – July 2021 was 8.332%

For the one year period June 2020 – June 2021, CPI increased by 5.391%.
The three year CPI increase from June 2018 – June 2021 was 7.821%

For the one year period May 2020 – May 2021, CPI increased by 4.993%.
The three year CPI increase from May 2018 – May 2021 was 6.998%

I have many more months of these numbers, but these are a good example of how the rolling 12 month average CPI is changing.

Not knowing your exact address, it is impossible to say what CPI was applied to your previous Amenity Fee amount was. As the adjustments are made at an accuracy of 5 decimal places (% + 3 decimal places) I find it absolutely amazing that your previous Fee was exactly $155.00, the odds on such a round number occurring must be so astronomically small. Stranger things have happened...

Definitely the rolling three year Oct 2018 to Oct 2021 was used. See my response in the above post #72. What designates when they use the 12 month or rolling 3 year CPI. How long will they use the rolling 3 year in my case ?

[wlasowicz]

I just got my bil.l At first I thought my water usage was high by my tenant but looking closely my amenity went up about $21.00. To many The Villages is a utopia's ,any small negative talk about the Villages they look at you badly. The villages is not a cheap place to live and its not getting any better. Its a far cry from when old an Morse started the place. My understanding was Morse said you can buy a place in the sunshine play golf and able afford it off your social security check

[dewilson58]

My understanding was Morse said you can buy a place in the sunshine play golf and able afford it off your social security check

It's my understanding Elvis performed at Brownwood last night.

[PugMom]

Will be interested in what you find out Goldwingnut.

We bought new construction and closed on March 28, 2017. Looking back at my bills, my amenity fee has increased each year on Jan 1. Went from 145 in 2017, 148.19 in 2018, 151.42 in 2019, 154.53 in 2020, 156.35 in 2021, 167 in 2022.

dittos here

[JMintzer]

It's my understanding Elvis performed at Brownwood last night.

Damn! Missed him again!

[Goldwingnut]

I got a response from the Director of Finance this morning, but I had to get additional clarifications so I am not ready to put out the answer yet.

[bassfish]

My monthly Villages CCD Utilities bill arrived today. Quick scan indicates a 7% increase over prior months. Increase was for Amenity Fee going from $156 to $168. Of course, no explanation. Anyone else spot this.

[LuvtheVillages]

My monthly Villages CCD Utilities bill arrived today. Quick scan indicates a 7% increase over prior months. Increase was for Amenity Fee going from $156 to $168. Of course, no explanation. Anyone else spot this.

Read back through the posts in this thread to educate yourself. That increase is your normal annual increase, based on the increase of the Consumer Price Index. Expect it every year at this time.

[cordenny]

I live in the Village of Largo. We have been here for 15 years. We just got our new amenity fee. It went from $160 to $172 a month.

[Goldwingnut]

My monthly Villages CCD Utilities bill arrived today. Quick scan indicates a 7% increase over prior months. Increase was for Amenity Fee going from $156 to $168. Of course, no explanation. Anyone else spot this.

There's an explanation and it was given to you when you purchased your home and you agreed to it. It is very clear, there is a CPI adjustment annually, it is spelled out in the deed restrictions. If you didn't read everything before you signed on the dotted line whose fault is that?

[Gpsma]

If you cant afford a minor increase in amenities fees...u dont deserve to live here.
Cheapest millionaires are in TV

[Nucky]

The nice lady at The Villages Headquarters told me that every three years based on your purchase date you can expect a raise in your amenity fee. Why not?

Every other thing is going up. Just paid $48 to fill my neighbor's Compact Car for them.

[Rainger99]

The nice lady at The Villages Headquarters told me that every three years based on your purchase date you can expect a raise in your amenity fee.

I thought it was every year - not three years.

[rustyp]

My monthly Villages CCD Utilities bill arrived today. Quick scan indicates a 7% increase over prior months. Increase was for Amenity Fee going from $156 to $168. Of course, no explanation. Anyone else spot this.

There's an explanation and it was given to you when you purchased your home and you agreed to it. It is very clear, there is a CPI adjustment annually, it is spelled out in the deed restrictions. If you didn't read everything before you signed on the dotted line whose fault is that?


Nice - very helpful. November is not far away.

[HIgolfers]

I went checking my email from the District Staff, they provide the CPI adjustments to us (District Supervisors) every month. Most homes have a CPI adjustment every year and apparently some have it based on the 3 year rolling CPI (I'm checking on this also this morning). Here's the body of several of the emails I've received on CPI adjustments:

Jan 21,2022
The following is being forwarded to you at the request of Anne Hochsprung…
Please note the change in the Consumer Price Index – All Urban Consumers, Not Seasonally Adjusted, US City Average, All items is as follows:
For the one year period December 2020 – December 2021, CPI increased by 7.036%.
The three year CPI increase from December 2018 – December 2021 was 10.973%
This increase will be used to adjust Amenity Fees for those properties with an February 2022 anniversary date.
Please let me know if you would like any additional information.

Excerpts from other similar emails:

For the one year period October 2020 – October 2021, CPI increased by 6.222%.
The three year CPI increase from October 2018 – October 2021 was 9.373%

For the one year period September 2020 – September 2021, CPI increased by 5.390%.
The three year CPI increase from September 2018 – September 2021 was 8.664%

For the one year period August 2020 – August 2021, CPI increased by 5.251%.
The three year CPI increase from August 2018 – August 2021 was 8.495%

For the one year period July 2020 – July 2021, CPI increased by 5.365%.
The three year CPI increase from July 2018 – July 2021 was 8.332%

For the one year period June 2020 – June 2021, CPI increased by 5.391%.
The three year CPI increase from June 2018 – June 2021 was 7.821%

For the one year period May 2020 – May 2021, CPI increased by 4.993%.
The three year CPI increase from May 2018 – May 2021 was 6.998%

I have many more months of these numbers, but these are a good example of how the rolling 12 month average CPI is changing.

Not knowing your exact address, it is impossible to say what CPI was applied to your previous Amenity Fee amount was. As the adjustments are made at an accuracy of 5 decimal places (% + 3 decimal places) I find it absolutely amazing that your previous Fee was exactly $155.00, the odds on such a round number occurring must be so astronomically small. Stranger things have happened...

I don't understand this sentence: "Most homes have a CPI adjustment every year and apparently some have it based on the 3 year rolling CPI "

Who decides which one it is?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Does that mean that it will not go up to $179 for those of us who currently own?

It will not go up for any home you currently own. But if you currently own, and then buy another home, then that newly-purchased home will have that $179 amenity fee responsibility.

We received advance notice that the amenity fee was going to go up, months ago.

[Goldwingnut]

I don't understand this sentence: "Most homes have a CPI adjustment every year and apparently some have it based on the 3 year rolling CPI "

Who decides which one it is?

Sorry I forgot to get back on this thread about the amenity fee adjustment date.

Here are excerpts from email responses I received from the director of finance Anne Hochsprung:

The 12-month rolling average CPI is applied one month in arrears to the anniversary date of the land sale. (January 31 CPI is applied to March anniversaries.)

The 3-year average is used for specific units/lots in the VCSA service area. If you would like the specific information, we would be happy to provide it to you.


and

The specific language that is provided to a resident is as follows:

“ All documents have an anniversary date which is – in almost all cases – the month that the original contract for sale (not closing date) to the first buyer occurred. Therefore, these anniversary dates vary based on the month of contract signing.”

This can mean the date a contract is signed for the purchase of the lot by a homeowner or by the developer to build as a spec home.

The VCSA is the Village Center Service Area approximately 17,948 residents in District #1, Lady Lake and Lake County - some of the original sections have the 3 year adjustment while the rest of the residents are on a 1-year rolling average adjustment cycle. Either way, 1 or 3 year, the math works out about the same over time.

Based on the date information provided it is the date of the original contract signing for the lot sale or build contract and not the sale/closing date of the property - new or resale. This could, in some cases, lead to what appears as an unjust hit for an increase based on timing - buy a resale in January and pay the new higher prevailing rate and then have an anniversary date shortly thereafter resulting in an increase based on the CPI adjustment. It might seem unjust but where do you draw the line? If one were to say have no increase in the first year after a resale purchase then a favorable anniversary date could have the rate go unadjusted for up to 23 months; how would this be just to the rest of the residents?

It's not a perfect system but in the end, it works out relatively equal for all the homeowners over time.

[Papa_lecki]

So everyone has a CPI increase annually. Most are based on a 1 year rolling CPI, SOME (and it seems to be original lots) have a 3 year rolling CPI increase.

The increase is on the date of the original sale - probably the settlement date. It has nothing to do when you bought your lot if it was a resale.

[Bogie Shooter]

Nice - very helpful. November is not far away.

After all the info he provides……a cheap shot is not necessary.

[Dvanjvan]

Sorry I forgot to get back on this thread about the amenity fee adjustment date.

Here are excerpts from email responses I received from the director of finance Anne Hochsprung:

The 12-month rolling average CPI is applied one month in arrears to the anniversary date of the land sale. (January 31 CPI is applied to March anniversaries.)

The 3-year average is used for specific units/lots in the VCSA service area. If you would like the specific information, we would be happy to provide it to you.


and

The specific language that is provided to a resident is as follows:

“ All documents have an anniversary date which is – in almost all cases – the month that the original contract for sale (not closing date) to the first buyer occurred. Therefore, these anniversary dates vary based on the month of contract signing.”

This can mean the date a contract is signed for the purchase of the lot by a homeowner or by the developer to build as a spec home.

The VCSA is the Village Center Service Area approximately 17,948 residents in District #1, Lady Lake and Lake County - some of the original sections have the 3 year adjustment while the rest of the residents are on a 1-year rolling average adjustment cycle. Either way, 1 or 3 year, the math works out about the same over time.

Based on the date information provided it is the date of the original contract signing for the lot sale or build contract and not the sale/closing date of the property - new or resale. This could, in some cases, lead to what appears as an unjust hit for an increase based on timing - buy a resale in January and pay the new higher prevailing rate and then have an anniversary date shortly thereafter resulting in an increase based on the CPI adjustment. It might seem unjust but where do you draw the line? If one were to say have no increase in the first year after a resale purchase then a favorable anniversary date could have the rate go unadjusted for up to 23 months; how would this be just to the rest of the residents?

It's not a perfect system but in the end, it works out relatively equal for all the homeowners over time.



We closed Jan 2022 (179.00 amenity fee)
Just received new amenity fee based off original homes contract, our amenity fee went up to 194.00. How is this possible and or fair?
Should have a 12 month reprieve from higher fee or simply adjust fees based on current contract date.

[Goldwingnut]

We closed Jan 2022 (179.00 amenity fee)
Just received new amenity fee based off original homes contract, our amenity fee went up to 194.00. How is this possible and or fair?
Should have a 12 month reprieve from higher fee or simply adjust fees based on current contract date.

We all have different ideas on a "better way" of doing this and what is "fair", if we change the way it is done now then it won't be "fair" to someone else. The explanation of how this happens is explained earlier in this thread.

[Marathon Man]

does a bear do 'you know what' in the woods?

Yes. But, does it make a sound if no one is there to hear it?

[Papa_lecki]

We closed Jan 2022 (179.00 amenity fee)
Just received new amenity fee based off original homes contract, our amenity fee went up to 194.00. How is this possible and or fair?
Should have a 12 month reprieve from higher fee or simply adjust fees based on current contract date.

It’s not fair to you because the inflation increase was 8%. When the increases were 2 or 3%, no one complained.
The Cleveland Fed just released a report that CPI is 10%, so your increase is more fair than the houses whose anniversary date is in the future, and will see an even higher increase.

[Laker14]

We closed Jan 2022 (179.00 amenity fee)
Just received new amenity fee based off original homes contract, our amenity fee went up to 194.00. How is this possible and or fair?
Should have a 12 month reprieve from higher fee or simply adjust fees based on current contract date.

Why?

[jrref]

As far as I can tell, if you close after 1/1/22, your amenity fee will be $179. If you closed before 1/1/22, it will go up on the anniversary date of your closing.

Will everyone's amenity fee then go up to $179? Or will everyone's amenity fee go up based on the rate of inflation? Is that calculated yearly (the inflation rate for 2021) or for the inflation rate for the 12 months before your anniversary date? Do they use a rolling inflation rate? All of 2021 for everyone so that everyone will be paying $179 - or do they do individual calculations for everyone?

I believe on the anniversary of your home you will get the new rate at that time and it will be good for a year.

[pauld315]

Be prepared, they go up every year

[Woodbear]

Our amenity bill went up this month (bill due mid July). The contract on our house was signed August 2021.

[docimomo]

Mine have gone up every year. Dec 2020 I was at $163, Dec 2021 raised to $174 and now Aug 2022 raised to $183.
So it seems to me that they can raise it whenever they feel like it.

[smurphy]

Mine have gone up every year. Dec 2020 I was at $163, Dec 2021 raised to $174 and now Aug 2022 raised to $183.
So it seems to me that they can raise it whenever they feel like it.

It is not whenever they feel like. It changes annually based on a cost of living index (not sure which one) on the anniversary date of when the house first was put up for sale. All of the houses in your area probably have the same change date.

[docimomo]

It was increasing annually. But in the past 12 months I have had two increases, one in December and one on this last bill.

[EdFNJ]

Not immediately.

Your amenity fee will go up every year, in the anniversary month of when you bought, by the CPI index percentage.

So in a few years your fee will be more than $179.

Interesting and made me want to check:

2017 $145.00
2018 $147.96
2019 $151.69
2020 $156.19
2021 $156.19 NO INCREASE!
2022 $165.91
2023 ????????????????

All in all, a bargain.

My father lived in South FL for 0ver 25 years in a very large 55+ 3 floor elevator condo development and he was paying as of 2018 $543/Month CONDO (HOA?) FEES for a 1 bedroom PLUS multiple times over the 25+ years he was hit with a $500-$1000+ "special assessment." They had 1900+ units there and 2 pools, 4 tennis courts and 2 golf courses. BUT they were close to Costco, BJ's, hundreds of restaurants and lots of civilization. :D

[Toymeister]

It is not whenever they feel like. It changes annually based on a cost of living index (not sure which one) on the anniversary date of when the house first was put up for sale. All of the houses in your area probably have the same change date.
The rate used is CPI-U. That is U for urban workers nationwide. There are hundreds of CPI rates (price indexes) but the CPI-U is the most commonly reported.

It should be no surprise to anyone that the CPI-U is manipulated to be lower than it would otherwise be. The reason for this is so many Federal unfunded liabilities are tied to this CPI such as social security, Federal and military pensions. The manipulation is subtle. The 'basket' that is used to determine food costs, for example is changed periodically to "reflect changes in consumption" less red meat and more chicken, etc. This fails to acknowledge that less red meat is consumed because it is too expensive. In a different ploy housing costs are also under reported.

So, your amenities are actually increasing too slowly. That is if those costs mirror the CPI-U, which they do not

[ZippyFireRider]

I also closed earlier this year, amenity fees were $179 until this week's bill now at $195.22.
In an older area north of 466. Not complaining, but how often do these increases occur? This increase was not on the purchase anniversary date either. Also do amenity fees vary dependent on location, or longevity of residence?

[Rustyboy]

We moved here in April 2021; our amenity fee was $164.00. It jumped to $174.84 last August, this month it increased to $188.50.

[Papa_lecki]

We moved here in April 2021; our amenity fee was $164.00. It jumped to $174.84 last August, this month it increased to $188.50.

6% then 8%. Seems right

[Stu from NYC]

And will keep going up on an annual basis so this place can continue to look great

[Nucky]

I will not speak for any other Village in The Villages but in The Historic Section, the Fee is supposed to be re-cypheredized every three years. We bought it in 2016. and the fee was $145. It went up to $159 a month in 2019 and we will be expecting something to go on with it on our anniversary date in June of this coming year. Who likes paying more? Nobody. Can you get a better deal or live better cheaper in Florida, I don't think so Johnny! I'm thrilled about the privilege of living here. The fee is a bargain, in our eyes. This is a dream come true.

We are freshly landed from 6 or 7 weeks in hell, I mean N.J. and it just solidifies the decision we painfully made 6 plus years ago to leave everything we knew to move here. We were built to live here, it's not all perfect but it's pretty close.

[DARFAP]

My bill shows $179 for September, not a new or resale.