Lifestyle Estate HOA responds to residents’ concerns
The Sharon Park Lifestyle Estate (Hlanganani Village) HOA addresses inaccuracies about meeting responses, levy charges, and recreational space improvements after residents protested on August 5.
Following the article ‘Hlanganani Village residents protest over HOA restrictions’, the Homeowners Association (HOA) has responded to inquiries related to the protest held by Sharon Park Lifestyle Estate (Hlanganani Village) on August 5.
The HOA committee stated that while residents are indeed permitted to request additional meetings, such requests must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Memorandum of Incorporation (MoI).
“As the governing body of Sharon Park Lifestyle Estate, we operate under the provisions of our MoI, which dictates the structure and procedures for our meetings,” the committee stated.
“According to the MoI, only the HOA has the authority to call a meeting with residents. However, if residents wish to requisition a meeting, they must meet specific requirements, including obtaining support from at least 40% of the resident population.”
“We recently held our annual general meeting (AGM), during which we provided feedback on estate upkeep, presented financial records, and addressed other issues.
The committee said the points raised in the recent memorandum were discussed during the AGM and it is likely that some residents did not attend the meeting, which could explain any perceived lack of response to their concerns.
The claim that the HOA has not attended meetings or responded to letters is inaccurate.
“We received the residents’ memorandum on July 15 and responded on July 18, requesting that residents identify themselves so we could verify compliance with the MoI requirements.
“This process was necessary to determine the number of people requesting the meeting and to plan logistics accordingly.”
One of the most contentious issues raised by residents was the 33% levy charge. The HOA clarified that all homeowners are required to contribute to the upkeep of the community as stipulated by the MoI.
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“We operate as a levied estate, with funds allocated to pay for administration staff, security services, and various projects. We have made accommodations for residents who have communicated financial difficulties,” the HOA stated.
The HOA also addressed allegations that residents were barred from entering or leaving the premises without payment, asserting that these claims are incorrect.
Residents also expressed concerns about the lack of recreational spaces for children. The HOA acknowledged these concerns, explaining that while they strive to maintain and improve recreational parks and play areas, financial constraints currently limit their ability to execute these activities.
“We are actively engaging with various stakeholders and have approached the municipality for assistance with outdoor park equipment,” the HOA noted.
“Unfortunately, the municipality has indicated that they cannot accommodate us in their current budget, though we plan to pursue this issue in the next Integrated Development Plan (IDP) process.”
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