Is There Anything You Can Do About Timeshare Special Assessment Fees
It happens every so often to timeshare owners. You're taking a stroll to your friendly mail box, sun beaming down wonderfully on your home, birds are out singing a happy tune. You open your mail box, reach in, and pull out a timeshare bill. "Same as every year," you think. "Maybe a 2% increase. But nothing I can't handle." Then you notice a sizablylarger tab. "What?" you fume "How can they charge me that much a year for my timeshare?" Then you read on, and your heart fills with the dread of an oncoming car crash, and you see it: a special assessment fee.
The truth of the matter is that the timeshare industry is suffering, just like everyone else. Their extreme profits have lost a shine or two, and now they have to scrap barrels instead of throwing whole meals away. Unfortunately, you are that barrel they're going to be scraping.
But let's get to the question: is there anything you can do about these special assessments? The truth is, there is very little you can do besides pay the tab. Many resorts offer payment plans, and for those of you unwilling or unable to pay off the fee upfront, these plans are a good option. You will, of course, be paying interest. What matters with special assessments is whether or not they are needed.
In some cases, the fee may be a simple $200 for an extra couch or fixture. In other cases, there are going to be Hurricane Assessments, which pay for hurricane damage and can run over a thousand dollars. Not paying your special assessment will result in late fees and potentially a collections claim against you. For those of you who have already paid special assessments before and have just been hit again, a
timeshare sale might be in your best interest unless you find such value in your timeshare that these extra fees and added expenses are worth the cost.
About the Author
Tracie Newcastle is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles. She is also a timeshare consultant for the timeshare industry helping timeshare consumers understand the nature of the industry as well as their timeshare relief options. Whether you are trying to buy, sell, rent, donate, or straight up get rid of your timeshare, Tracie Newcastle is here to help.
