Hoa fee? Help

[Ruckvilla]

Closed on our new house last month which was supposed to have a $195 HOA / Ammenity fee. Our bill just arrived and the ammenity fee alone showed $440! Any ideas on what happened here?

[villagetinker]

Take a closer look at the bill, this should be the Amenity fee, trash pickup, potable water, irrigation water, etc., also there was some recent news about a large increase in the amenity fee in some of the newest areas. I do not recall the details as it did not affect me, but there was a thread on this and many comments. Also, as I recall the developer made a contribution that significantly reduced the monthly amount due.
I am sure others will respond and fill in the gaps.

[MsPCGenius]

As I recall, the first bill may cover more than just one month's fee -- depending on what day of the month you moved in, it may be prorated,

May possibly also cover two months so that you are always paying one month ahead of the current billing cycle. The next bill you receive should be more in line with what to expect over time.

[BrianL99]

Take a closer look at the bill, this should be the Amenity fee, trash pickup, potable water, irrigation water, etc., also there was some recent news about a large increase in the amenity fee in some of the newest areas. I do not recall the details as it did not affect me, but there was a thread on this and many comments. Also, as I recall the developer made a contribution that significantly reduced the monthly amount due.
I am sure others will respond and fill in the gaps.

As I recall, the first bill may cover more than just one month's fee -- depending on what day of the month you moved in, it may be prorated,

May possibly also cover two months so that you are always paying one month ahead of the current billing cycle. The next bill you receive should be more in line with what to expect over time.

I don't think the huge increase the Developer kicked in $2M, is related to the Amenity Fee. I believe that was a maintenance (Bond) issue.

As for the Amenity Fee, I seem to remember my 1st bill being ridiculously high and if I recall correctly, it was for exactly the reason stated above. Pro-rated and it covered most of 2 months.

[Bill14564]

The bill should be itemized. What is printed on the line labeled amenity fee?

[Normal]

The bill should be a community district bill. I agree with the above posts that it includes: trash, irrigation water, potable water sewage and your amenity fee. Also, your bill would be higher south of 44 because you use two kinds of water and the rates are high on potable water.

[Rainger99]

My first bill was for $527. That was for more than one month's amenity fees.

The next bill was for $239.60.

If you have any questions, call the District Utilities Customer Service Division/Finance Department. The number is 352-750-0000.

They are very nice and even more knowledgeable than TOTV!

[asianthree]

Closed on our new house last month which was supposed to have a $195 HOA / Ammenity fee. Our bill just arrived and the ammenity fee alone showed $440! Any ideas on what happened here?

No HOAs in TV. You are asking only about the amenity fee. On your first bill it will give you the date of start for that fee, and end date. Divide by days, it will definitely be more than 30, probably 6-8 weeks.
Pay the bill, next month should be a 30 day cycle just like the rest of your district.
In a few months you will be an expert on billing and be able to give out advice to another new person.

[Ruckvilla]

The bill should be itemized. What is printed on the line labeled amenity fee?

The ammenity fee is the $440.. The total bill is well over $500. The date says its only covering one month, beginning the day we closed.

[Bill14564]

The ammenity fee is the $440.. The total bill is well over $500. The date says its only covering one month, beginning the day we closed.

Your amenity fee will be $195 going forward. This must be a multiple-month startup fee on your first bill. Your best option is to call customer service and ask them to explain the amount.

[ripper63]

Probably a one time charge for the mailbox

[jimdecastro]

Take a closer look at the bill, this should be the Amenity fee, trash pickup, potable water, irrigation water, etc., also there was some recent news about a large increase in the amenity fee in some of the newest areas. I do not recall the details as it did not affect me, but there was a thread on this and many comments. Also, as I recall the developer made a contribution that significantly reduced the monthly amount due.
I am sure others will respond and fill in the gaps.

The huge increase - since reduced - was the annual maintenance fee in CDD 14 (only). It totaled (for me) a $301 increase annually - reduced to about $107.

[jimdecastro]

I don't think the huge increase the Developer kicked in $2M, is related to the Amenity Fee. I believe that was a maintenance (Bond) issue.

As for the Amenity Fee, I seem to remember my 1st bill being ridiculously high and if I recall correctly, it was for exactly the reason stated above. Pro-rated and it covered most of 2 months.

Both of these issues you have 100% correct. Great post.

[Rwirish]

There is No HOA fee in TV so let’s start there.

[NoMo50]

Take a closer look at the bill, this should be the Amenity fee, trash pickup, potable water, irrigation water, etc., also there was some recent news about a large increase in the amenity fee in some of the newest areas. I do not recall the details as it did not affect me, but there was a thread on this and many comments. Also, as I recall the developer made a contribution that significantly reduced the monthly amount due.
I am sure others will respond and fill in the gaps.

The large increases that have been recently discussed were for the Maintenance fee, not the Amenity fee. The Maintenance fee is billed annually as a non ad valorem (not tied to property valuation) item on your tax bill. The Amenity fee is billed monthly. The OP's best bet would be to contact the customer service number listed on the bill. I have found those folks to be very friendly and helpful.

For those affected and/or interested, there will be a meeting to lay out the proposed Maintenance fee increases for 2025. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 12th at 11:00am at Everglades Recreation Center.

[spinner1001]

Closed on our new house last month which was supposed to have a $195 HOA / Ammenity fee. Our bill just arrived and the ammenity fee alone showed $440! Any ideas on what happened here?

What ‘bill’ are you reading?

The county government’s annual TRIM notice of expected annual real estate taxes and assessments, or the monthly invoice from CDD for water usage, amenity fee, and other items?

[Shelbyh]

Closed on our new house last month which was supposed to have a $195 HOA / Ammenity fee. Our bill just arrived and the ammenity fee alone showed $440! Any ideas on what happened here?

That bill was the break down of certain charges, one of which is the amenity fee. As someone else stated your water and trash are on there as well. Our bill is 372 a month.

[Lisanp@aol.com]

You can call the district and ask to verify. They are very pleasant and helpful
As I recall, the answer is that amenity fees are billed a month in advance so basically when you receive your first bill following closing you are paying for next month (as standard going forward), present month (which you never paid), and the prorated days from your closing date to the end of the month. Did you close about the 23rd of the month?

[Driller703]

Closed on our new house last month which was supposed to have a $195 HOA / Ammenity fee. Our bill just arrived and the ammenity fee alone showed $440! Any ideas on what happened here?

It will straighten out next bill. Same thing happened to me.

[MSGirl]

Take a closer look at the bill, this should be the Amenity fee, trash pickup, potable water, irrigation water, etc., also there was some recent news about a large increase in the amenity fee in some of the newest areas. I do not recall the details as it did not affect me, but there was a thread on this and many comments. Also, as I recall the developer made a contribution that significantly reduced the monthly amount due.
I am sure others will respond and fill in the gaps.
I believe it’s the maintenance fee you are referring on the annual tax bill

[nn0wheremann]

Closed on our new house last month which was supposed to have a $195 HOA / Ammenity fee. Our bill just arrived and the ammenity fee alone showed $440! Any ideas on what happened here?
That is your CDD maintenance fee. Your amenities fee is included in the water bill. Welcome to Florida, land of low taxes and high fees. Have fun writing that check when you register your cars for Florida plates.

[DAVES]

Closed on our new house last month which was supposed to have a $195 HOA / Ammenity fee. Our bill just arrived and the ammenity fee alone showed $440! Any ideas on what happened here?

You mention closed on a new home. Based on my experience while it is a business the villages are helpful. I would call the Villages Offices and they will either help you or tell you who can help you.

[Bill14564]

The ammenity fee is the $440.. The total bill is well over $500. The date says its only covering one month, beginning the day we closed.

Just a thought: $440 = $195 + $195 + $50. That could be
$195 for the previous month
$195 for the current month
$50 for the mailbox key

Going forward it would just be $195 for the current month.

[HORNET]

Welcome to The Village’s

[gobuck827]

The bill should be a community district bill. I agree with the above posts that it includes: trash, irrigation water, potable water sewage and your amenity fee. Also, your bill would be higher south of 44 because you use two kinds of water and the rates are high on potable water.

My understanding is that non-potable water is used for irrigation everywhere South of 466.

[Rainger99]

Closed on our new house last month which was supposed to have a $195 HOA / Ammenity fee. Our bill just arrived and the ammenity fee alone showed $440! Any ideas on what happened here?

Did you call the Villages? What did they tell you? Break it down for us.

At this point, most of us are confused. Are we talking about your monthly utility bill (which includes the amenity fee, water, irrigation, and sanitation) or your yearly maintenance fee? I think you are talking about your monthly utility bill.

[Rainger99]

Probably a one time charge for the mailbox

Did they charge us a mailbox fee? I had so many bills coming in that first month that I don't remember it. But I am sure that I could have missed it. Was it on our Utilities bill?

At least they aren't charging a monthly fee for the mailbox!

[Keninches]

There was an article in the paper about certain districts south of 44 going up as much as 60% on the amenity fees. It was broken down by CDD’s as to what percentage they were going up.

[Bill14564]

There was an article in the paper about certain districts south of 44 going up as much as 60% on the amenity fees. It was broken down by CDD’s as to what percentage they were going up.

That article was not about amenity fees.

[Rainger99]

That article was not about amenity fees.

You are correct. There is a lot of misinformation on TOTV.

This is why the OP should call the District Utilities Customer Service Division/Finance Department at 352-750-0000 instead of going on here.

[Keninches]

Dear Bill14564, the original post WAS about Amenity Fee

“Closed on our new house last month which was supposed to have a $195 HOA / Ammenity fee. Our bill just arrived and the ammenity fee alone showed $440! Any ideas on what happened here?”

[Bill14564]

Dear Bill14564, the original post WAS about Amenity Fee

“Closed on our new house last month which was supposed to have a $195 HOA / Ammenity fee. Our bill just arrived and the ammenity fee alone showed $440! Any ideas on what happened here?”

The original post was about the amenity fee but the article you mentioned in your post was NOT about amenity fees.

[Mpphred]

One time charge for mailbox