Cohousing-L Mailing List: Common cost surcharges

[Shelly DeMeo (shelldemeo]

Our community is set up as a condominium.  In addition to monthly common 
charges, based upon square footage of each home, the community imposes 
one-time per square foot surcharges on improvements and additions to 
existing homes.  These surcharges often add a substantial amount to the cost 
of construction or improvement.  While there are several rationales for 
maintaining the surcharges (which were also folded in to the original unit 
construction costs), the main one seems to be that the community needs the 
funds to make future capital improvements.

In anticipation of a community discussion on whether to continue the current 
surcharge policy or modify it, I would be interested to have input from 
other communities on how they deal with this issue.  Are owners surcharged 
when they improve their property?  If so, on what basis?  Is there provision 
for reducing or "sunsetting" these charges over time?

Thanks for your input.

Ray DeMeo