Before we raised the amounts on the fine schedule, the fine for a first offense was a maximum of $10. We had people who told the office beforehand that they were going to have large and very loud parties, and asked that the $10 be added to their monthly assessment statement. From their perspective, it was just part of the cost of the party--and if their neighbors were disturbed, that was tough, because they WERE following the rules by agreeing to pay the fine.

Recommendation: Fines should be set sufficiently high to act as a deterrent to unwanted behavior.

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