#20599
DaveB
Flatchatter

    There are quite a few matters to take into consideration.   Given that fees usually are increased once a year, a rise from $835 to $850 only represents 15/835, or 1.7%, less than CPI.  Whether or not you use the swimming pool and lifts, they have to be maintained, and in fact will add value to your complex and its component units.  If you’d bought a unit without those facilities, then maintenance naturally would be cheaper.  Your caretaker probably costs you around $70,000 per year (inclusive of leave, sick pay, insurances and super), so that alone based on 80 units would take up most of your levies for a quarter.  Don’t forget that also included in your levies are insurance on the building and water usage charges.  Also you should be contributing to a sinking fund to cater for ongoing maintenance.  If you want to get rid of the pool then a special resolution could be put forward at a General Meeting, but in my opinion you’d be reducing the value of everyone’s unit if it were to be approved.   Don’t complain unless you’ve done your homework, each complex is different.