HOMEOWNERS have received notices saying they may need to pay thousands of dollars in just months for special assessment fees to keep their residence.
The notices were sent to condo owners at Regency Gardens Condominiums in Orlando, Florida.
Regency Gardens Condominiums in Orlando, Florida, might abruptly raise its HOA fees dramatically which would force residents outCredit: WFTV
Residents are very worried about their living situation after receiving the notice about the high feesCredit: WFTV
Residents began to get very worried for their living situation after receiving the notice about the high feesCredit: WFTV
Small homes will have to pay $11,148 and large houses will owe $22,104.
Residents will have to pay up if the special assessment is passed at a board meeting on May 15, ABC affiliate WFTV in Orlando reported.
They will have until July 31st to pay the full amount, but half must be paid by June 30th.
The notice also said monthly HOA assessment fees will rise too and they should also expect increases next year, per WFTV.
Attorney Keith Skorewicz explained the large special assessment fee comes as Florida needs to cover maintenance charges.
These maintenance requests have been waived in the past, but after the surfside condo collapse, they’re being enforced.
“The short explanation for the current, urgent need is that Florida law previously authorized chronic underfunding of reserves resulting in substantial shortfalls in times of need,” Skorewicz said.
“The practice of waiving reserves each year is no longer an option and the consequences of underfunding have caught up with the need for maintenance and repairs.”
The attorney representing the condo association said, “It’s presumably they met with the engineers and they said there are some urgent needs. It’s a safety issue,” per WFTV.
FREAKED OUT RESIDENTS
Condo owners are scrambling to figure out how to tackle the abrupt news and are worried about their next move for a living situation.
The local news outlet spoke with several people on the matter.
“It’s going to be impossible,” Bryan Pricher said.
“You’re going to see 60 or 70 percent of the people living here out within 6 months.”
Another resident shared how she, “was sick to my stomach. I’m afraid they’re going to foreclose us.
“I know I didn’t sleep I’ve been up looking for places for my daughter to live.”
One homeowner said they would try selling their home quickly to get out of the situation.
“It’s just ridiculous,” they said.
“I’m just going to sell as fast as I possibly can and then run for the hills.”
This homeowner said, “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Resident Craig Hrabchak feels they’re being kicked out and said, “It’s too much. Too fast.
“They’re trying to force us out.”
“We’re going to fight for it, and I believe that we will win.”