By Rusty Bradshaw
Independent Newsmedia
Residents living in home or condo associations could be charged unnecessary fees for services from management companies.
Sun City Condominium Owners Association board members confirmed they have heard complaints similar to those related to the Independent Newsmedia by a Sun City woman. She claimed to get harassing phone calls from a management company or attorney, demanding payment of past due balances. Sam Estok, Sun City COA board president, said calls his agency receives are primarily about service fees for providing documents and other information that is readily available from association officials.
However, they are not limited to that, he added.
Alleged excessive fees is the subject of a class action lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in October. Filed by the Watters and Watters law firm of Tucson and attorney J. Roger Wood of Tempe, the lawsuit targets 26 management companies and alleges they are gouging residents with unnecessary fees and acting as attorneys without licenses to practice law. The suit also alleges Debt Collection Practices Act violations and wrongful liens.
