MJS Inc./ HOA MJS ,Brookhaven Community Association, WRONGFUL ASSESSMENTS & FINES w/o proof or process for fair and impartial appeal Columbia South Carolina

MJS Inc (Brookhaven Community Association) Homeowners Associan Company is a RIP-OFF!  I have owned my home in Brookhaven Subdivision since 10/2007 (11 years) in which I purchased brand new from Mungo Homes.  During the purchasing process, Mungo negotiated to assist w/ coordination of installation of my wooden fence, which would take place within 30 days post-closing.  After 11 years, I received a fine/assessment in the mail 4 days ago now (May 1, 2018) for $300 for the following violation:

1.  The fence is in despair and needs to be repaired or replaced and 2. Unapproved non-compliance modification; stating a gate on the right side3 of the fence leading INTO a neighboring lot was installed without approval of the Architechtural Control Authority.

Again, this fence (without any modification) was installed after closing 11 years ago.  The fence was recently damaged (gate on one side fell and panels were blown off; which I filed a claim and am pending resolution with the insurance company.  They settled the house portion already but the fence was a separate claim and is still pending).

MJS had sent the first 2 letters to a previous mailing address (as military families do travel); and they did not make it to us. It is the homeowners responsibility to keep their mailing addresses updated- as we have!  However, the high turnover in their office and inconsistent policies costs our homeowners thousands each year with these bogus assessments.  Needless to say, our HOA annual dues have always been paid EARLY and contains the correct mailing address; along with a personal call by myself to ensure our mailing address was updated it in January.  Of course....MJS states they didn't get the change but have accepted the money and check for annual dues with the new mailing address.  

MJS has NO representation or anyone that monitors these subdivisions they manage....  They rely solely on someone else to report "garbage" and immediately send out fines without knowing if they are in fact true or false.  In return, collecting our Americans hard earned salaries for nonsense.  The notification I received for the first time (May 1st) stated to call their office if you have questions...that is DEFINITELY not the case.  They have the NASTIEST and rudest individuals working there with NO customer service skills whatsoever.   Leaving me ONLY to submit an appeal in writing.  After submitting an appeal in wriitng, within 1 hr, MJS returned a UNILATERAL response of denial without consideration to anything that I asked them to review.

1.  Its been 11yrs and MJS; nor the previous HOA ever mentioned anything was an issue with my lot, home or fence.  Have they missed this issue for 11 years?  Why didn't they assess this before now if it wasn't approved?

2.  There are at LEAST 12 other homes since the storm that have fencing that is missing, destroyed, broken-in similar or worse condition than my property WITHOUT assessment or fine.  To include the fencing entering the subdivision that is disgraceful.

3.  We have NOT installed a gate or done any modifications to the original gate or fence at the home upon purchase in 2007; and it does not interfere with anything on the neighboring lot.  Clearly, no one from MJS has been out there or thoroughly evaluated my appeal.  The response was generated within 1hr of their office opening after recept refusing to remove or reassess the fine.  Again, unilateral decision to gouge the homeowner out of funds.

In 11 years, they have not done ANYTHING with the appearance to the subdivision, management, beautification or upkeep.  A $300 fine for an existing fence/ gate for 11 years with over a dozen fences that exist in worse condition WITHOUT an assessment or fine is egregious and personal in nature.  There was NO appeal process or fair review.  There was no one that looked into this matter.... and who would reasonably have a copy of their builder coordination for fence approval from 11 years ago. 

After they generate these bogus fines that are reported by anyone (but substantiated by no one); they threaten to place a lien against your property if you do not pay it.  What happened to the "process"  of having a reasonable time to resolve this issue or a statute of limitation to issue an assessment or fine...this is UNREASONABLE.

MJS is a horrible company without ANY fair or impartial processes in place for homeowners to maintain their property, as outlined.  This company is a fraud to gouge homeowners out of money... there is no real appeal process. Its a scam.