Cohousing-L Mailing List: re:Homeowners' Association Dues

[Judy (BAXTER]

I guess the fees thing varies by location.  We were told that most condos do
either  1- by square foot 
or
        2- per unit, regardless of size.

A Cohouser from Tasmania (sorry, I forget his name) told of his group's
agonizing discussions, and eventual use of a log formula, to mix the two.

We looked at that, decided too complex for most in the group to understand, and
instead looked at a proportional mixture of 1 and 2 above.  We settled on
25% of fees assessed on per unit basis, 75% by  square footage.  That seemed to
allow something for larger usage by large households, but also the fact that
smaller homes may use common spaces more, or at least some minimum share of the
costs.  As I always say, there is no one "fair" way, you just have to pick
something.

Personally, the per unit way seems pretty unfair to me, as fewer folks tend to
live in less space.  We discussed using number of persons, or adults, or
something, but decided we wanted the fees to go with the home, and not vary if
someone moves in or out. 

However, the group  (in my absence, I might add) did a special assessment on a
per unit basis, to cover costs not covered by a rental.  I gather the thought
of some was to motivate marketing.

It's a tough issue for all of us, I think

Judy

Judy Baxter, Monterey Cohousing Community,(MoCoCo) Twin Cities Area, Mpls.,MN
-- e-mail:      baxter [at] epivax.epi.umn.edu
****STARTING to remodel our Common Kitchen******
****AND remodel laundry and create a warm woodshop
****AND close to installing a flotation tank, and then a Hot Tub
-- Resident of the "mansion"- the 1st 8 homes in a rehab Georgian building built
as a retirement home in 1924 - 
-- 7 new townhouses (additions to the community) are done! - and occupied, one
   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
is left for a Cohouser buyer, move in after June 1,1997  - 3 BR, 
2 car tuck under garage,        $145,000 
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