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ALLOCATION OF ASSESSMENTS

Assessment Rates. A member's share of regular and special assessments is defined by the association's governing documents. The allocation is set by the Declarant when the association is created. Assessments are generally allocated in one of the following ways:

  1. Uniform Rate. Members pay the same amount regardless of the size of their units/lots.
  2. Variable Rate. Assessments are levied on a percentage basis for each unit or lot. The percentage is often based on the square footage of a unit or lot. Even though payment of assessments is disproportionate, the courts have ruled that such payment schedules are reasonable and do not violate public policy. (Cebular v. Cooper Arms.)
  3. Blended Rate. Assessments are calculated using a uniform rate for some budget items and a percentage or variable rate for other expenses according to the benefit each unit/lot receives from the association. The two amounts are blended into an assessment levied against units/lots. Unfortunately, blended rates often result in short-term and long-term errors

Equally & Uniformly. Sometimes CC&Rs use the phrase "equally and uniformly" when referring to assessments. The meaning of the phrase will depend on how it is used in the sentence. If it modifies the word "rate" or "amount," it means everyone pays the same amount. If the sentence states that assessments shall be applied equally and uniformly, it means assessments must be levied in a non-discriminatory manner. Normally, a mechanism (variable, blended, or uniform) will be described in an exhibit attached to the CC&Rs. Following are two examples where the phrase "equally and uniformly" is used in the application of the law and the levy of taxes:

The rule of equality, in respect to the subject, only requires the same means and methods to be applied impartially to all the constituents of each class, so that the law shall operate equally and uniformly upon all persons in similar circumstances. (Clay Tower Apartments v. Kemp (9th Cir. 1992) 978 F.2d 478, 481.)

[Taxes are] left to the discretion of the legislative power, and there is nothing to forbid the classification of property for purposes of taxation and the valuation of different classes by different methods. The rule of equality, in respect to the subject, only requires the same means and methods to be applied impartially to all the constituents of each class, so that the law shall operate equally and uniformly upon all persons in similar circumstances. (Kentucky Railroad Tax Cases (1885) 115 U. S. 321, 337.)

Pro Rata Allocation. Some CC&Rs use the term "pro rata" allocation of assessments. It is sometimes hyphenated as "pro-rata" and is Latin for "in proportion." It can be confusing because the term can refer to any of the three assessment rates described above. If the assessment rate is uniform, the member's proportional share is the same as everyone else's, i.e., their assessments are equal. If the assessment rate is variable, then each member's pro rata share is the percentage assigned to their unit or lot. Following are examples taken from different sets of CC&Rs:

[Uniform Rate] As part of the regular annual assessments for maintenance authorized above, the Board shall annually fix the amount to be contributed pro rata by each member... Assessments, both regular and special, shall be charged and divided among the owners equally.

[Uniform Rate] Annual assessments shall be charged to and divided among the Lot Owners equally (pro rata according to the total number of Lots in the Project)...

[Variable Rate] Assessments levied against an Owner shall be the pro rata interest or obligations of a Condominium based on the pro rata share of ownership of each Owner in the Common Area...

[Variable Rate] All assessments shall be assessed on a pro-rata basis based on the size of each Condominium...

[Blended Rate] "Regular Assessment" shall mean and refer to the annual charge against each Owner and his respective Condominium representing a portion of the Common Expenses of the Association; (1) The "Base Assessment Component" (defined below) shall be allocated equally among Owners... and (2) the "Variable Assessment Component" shall be allocated on a pro-rata basis according to a Condominium's square footage...

Changing Assessment Formula. Associations are allowed to change their assessment formula by amending their CC&Rs. Members "may by requisite vote choose any legal and equitable method they prefer for assessing their homeowner fees." (Battram v. Emerald Bay Community Assn. (1984) 157 Cal.App.3d 1184, FN. 6.)

ASSISTANCE: Associations needing legal assistance can contact us. To stay current with issues affecting community associations, subscribe to the Davis-Stirling Newsletter.

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