[spinner1001]

Originally Posted by 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?

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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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

[MSGirl]

Originally Posted by 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.

I believe it’s the maintenance fee you are referring on the annual tax bill

[nn0wheremann]

Originally Posted by 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?

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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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]

Originally Posted by Ruckvilla

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by 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?

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]

Originally Posted by ripper63

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

That article was not about amenity fees.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

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.