I bought a 3 bedroom condo in 2013 for $50k cash in Atlanta GA. No mortgage but I agreed to pay $219/month for the COA dues which include water, garbage, landscaping etc to the property management company. In 2014 a new property management company took over and I guess the COA board of directors voted to increase our monthly dues; my payment went up to $303/month. That’s $3600/year for water and garbage but at least we had a small pool to use for 3 months in the summer.

In 2018 - we were told that we had another increase in dues called a “special assessment” that would be in effect for 5 years. So every 3rd month I would have to give them $450/month instead of $303. This worked out to be about $4300/year for water and garbage and they also CLOSED the pool. The pools retaining wall has moved and is considered dangerous and it will cost $20,000 to repair it and stabilize it. Once it breaks it will cost $200,000 to fix it yet it goes untouched.

I’ve been told that a portion of my neighbors COA accounts are $5,000-$20,000 delinquent - past due. That’s a large reason why those of us who pay our bills are being forced to pay so much. The responsible homeowners are being forced to pay for the residents who won’t pay. How is this legal?

I was told last week that the board is going to raise our dues yet again by 30% next year - that means my monthly payments would work out to be about $6,000 per year for water and garbage PLUS everyone will be hit with a one time $7,000 assessment that must be paid in full before 2021. If everyone pays the $7,000 and then most of the needed repairs could be done but this is insane. What are my rights? Who do I call? Lawyers are out of my budget and I don’t know what to do.