Families demand investigation into HOA for charging for amenities they don't have: 'Unsettling'

Residents of a North Carolina community are taking action against a local property management firm accused of charging fees for amenities that don't even exist within their neighborhood. According to reports from WCNC, Braesael Management Company has allegedly imposed fees on homeowners for access to a pool, tennis courts, and a clubhouse, which are not part of the community and are not owned by the Homeowners Association (HOA).

Some residents have even received collection notices for not paying a $1,000 initiation fee and a $39 monthly fee for these non-existent facilities. However, these amenities are located outside of the neighborhood and have no affiliation with the HOA.

"It doesn't sit well with me," said resident JR Tucker, expressing his frustration to WCNC. "It makes me very upset that were being forced to deal with this."

According to Braesael Management, which oversees the facilities for True Homes, the HOA's bylaws supposedly authorize the collection of these fees. HOA regulations are often complex and difficult to interpret, making it challenging for homeowners to understand their rights and responsibilities. In the past, similar rules have been used to prevent homeowners from engaging in environmentally friendly practices, such as growing their own food or planting native species, leading to fines for those who violate ambiguous rules.

However, residents in this neighborhood decided to challenge the charges. They reached out to local media to bring attention to the issue. After the story gained publicity, Braesael Management acknowledged that some of the collection notices were sent out by mistake and clarified that fees should only apply to those using the amenities in question.

"True Homes has been informed about the letters sent by the management company, which incorrectly referenced potential collection actions for unpaid facility fees associated with the homeowners association," stated True Homes in a message to WCNC. "We are working closely with the property management company to ensure that future communication will clearly distinguish the separate fee structure for the facilities."