Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Monthly fees

[RowenaHC (RowenaHC]

I'm not sure that one communities' experience with fees carries over to 
others.  But here is a sample from a large (41) urban group in a very 
expensive part of the country.  We also have combined utilities, since we use 
a ground-source heat pump for heat, a/c and hot water and a single water 
meter.  We've been having a lot of trouble with the distribution system for 
heat and a/c - nothing to do with the heat pump - so what witht he drought 
last year we had run away utilities cost.  We hope to do better this year 
with a Committee (of, course) in charge of identifying ways to save.

Average monthly fees are in the range of $270. based on unit size.  They 
include: utilities, maintenance and repairs (electrical, elevator, carpentry, 
pest control, HVAC, plumbing, etc., etc.) $1600 for snow removal (interior 
paths are done by residents), and $6000 for monthly basic cleaning of the 
common areas (we have a huge common space).  We do almost all the landscaping 
and grounds ourselves but have a budget of $1500 for the grounds committee 
which mostly goes to the lawn and maintenance of lawn mower and pruning of 
trees,  and which is supplemented by those residents who love to garden 
buying  trees, shrubs, seeds and other plants.   We  had a huge supply of 
garden tools which arrived with the residents!   

Administrative expenses including accounting, taxes, legal, insurance, 
management fees, office costs, are $25,800.00 a year.   Plus we add about 
$20,000 a year to the capital reserve account which is required by law in 
Massachusetts for condominiums and which you should have whether required or 
not!  

Total Expenses: $130,000
Operating Income  $150,000
To reserves:            $20,000

This is the basic Managing Board "must have" Operating Budget.  In addition, 
we are working on development of a new Community Budget, which includes the 
kinds of things that make us a community, not just a condo (various 
festivities, child care for meetings, decorations, and such) as well as 
things we would like to add but which must compete in a community process 
(rain water barrels, play equipment, dishwasher, etc.)   Over the last year 
and a half, some of these items have been provided by one or more residents 
buying them and then seeking voluntary donations from other residents, but 
this was getting  cold.   This year we are going to get organized - Hah, hah!

As I say, each community is different - size, location, what is included in 
the monthly fee - so our experience may not have any relevance to yo.

[Incidentally, we've developed a unique system for dishes - everyone brings 
their own place mats, dishes, cutlery, glasses, and takes them home after the 
meal (we've got a wild collection of baskets).  This means the clean-up team 
only has to tackle the cook ware and serving dishes, which makes for a 
relatively easy time.   Large families find it a bit of a drag so "buddies" 
have signed up to help them deal with it.   While not ideal, it has saved a 
significant amount of money during the start up period.  When all is done, 
we'll revisit the dishwasher issue.]

Laundry is paid for by a sign up sheet - $1.00 a load.  We've already paid 
for the machines, and now we have to decide how much the water and power cost 
so we can reduce the load-fee!  this is billed by one of the residents.  
Meals are also kept separate.

Hope this helps.

Rowena 
Cambridge Cohousing