The Hammocks Take Action Over 400% Association Fee Hike
A South Florida community is taking legal action against its homeowners association after a sharp increase in rates. Residents of The Hammocks met Saturday to discuss their plan and raise money to pay for a lawyer.
"We are going to go to court to ask for help to turn them off," said resident Ana Tanton. “We tried the election, it didn't work. The Hammocks don't deserve this. The people of The Hammocks do not deserve this… This could be historic, ”she pointed out.
At the meeting, many wanted to make sure the group chose the right attorney in an effort to stop a 400 percent increase in Homeowners Association (HOA) fees.
The group also received guidance from District 11 board member Christian Cevallos, who attended the meeting and urged residents of The Hammocks to organize and come together.
"We as a community, are together against someone who is not good for the community," said Cevallos.
"Our next step is to go to court," said Tanton. "What we're doing is this fundraiser is raising money to pay this high-end law firm that is going to put us in front of a judge."
Residents seek legal help after 400% increase in association fee https://t.co/oNF3scmPfk
– Telemundo51 (@Telemundo51) March 6, 2022
Earlier this year, the attorney representing the homeowners association explained that they hadn't raised their rates in seven years. "They're catching up," attorney Hilton Napoleon said at the time.
The Hammocks resident Ana Tanton clarifies that the group is asking for three things.
"We need a judge to rule here," says Tanton. “We are looking for a receivership, a temporary receivership. We are looking for a court order on this budget and we are looking for a court record so the owners can go to court and pay their fees.”
Meanwhile, Cevallos notes that this could cause a domino effect. “If the Hammocks are organized properly and are successful, and can be treated fairly by themselves as homeowners, this could be an example for all of Miami Dade County to follow.”
Although many residents had questions about where the money will go or if there will be additional fees in the future, the group has raised about 70 percent of the $100,000 they need to start the legal process.
“That is what we are looking for. We are desperately raising funds to go to court and stop the nonsense right there,” said Tanton.
Residents say this sharp increase in HOA fees is forcing people to move out of the neighborhood, where some have lived for decades.
Miami Daily
Author: Patricia Chung 9:41 am