I hate to complain about our Aruba timeshare cuz we like it and understand the EVER INCREASING maintenance fees, but what's with the Special Assessment! this was never mentioned when we bought the timeshare and can't find anything about it in our timeshare contract? What is this for and can I fight it?

Thanks for the question, fcats2.

A 'Special Assessment' is a fee over and above the timeshares annual maintenance fee assessed by the timeshare resort and/or developer to it's interval owners. When assessed, this fee is intended to defray expenses related to major repairs and refurbishing of the timeshare resorts equipment, facilities, and the timeshare units.

I will have to research a bit more to find out whether you can fight these special assessment fees, but I sincerely doubt it. I will post my findings ASAP and I welcome other timeshare owners or forum visitors to share their opinions and experiences in this regard.

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Hello, me again. Most timeshare contracts have a clause's that allow either unrestricted increases in maintenance fees or allow for special assessments. Many times both. If memory serves, there was a timeshare resort in St. Maarten that had a lawsuit pending regarding this very subject. I think it was 2002 or so...I will see what I can discover and let you know.

Charles

I think you may be thinking of the Atrium Resort managed/owned by Festiva. the timeshare owners there have been involved in a lawsuit over increases in maintenance fees and special assessments.

the owners have even got their own website to communicate about this and other matters--

Atrium Owners Association

Thanks to all for th great information, so far. A quick item I found at the Atrium Owners Association timeshare website. Here's a couple selections of the quotes and info I found on the on the site:

From the Atrium's lawyer & in another area:

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