MJS, Inc Collection of assessments practices Columbia South Carolina

 MJS, Inc began managing the property where I reside about 1-2 years ago. They began to raise our regime fees. There was no notice of this increase. At the time of the increase, the pool was not being used and there was a giant pothole by my home. The pot hole was fixed recently and the pool just opened back up about a month ago. At the time I was in the process of moving to Japan to teach. Because of the move I had to figure out paying my fees, my mortgage and my other bills. My fees were late once or twice and my fee was returned uncashed because it was late. I was never told late payments would not be accepted.

The next thing I knew MJS, Inc. was telling me I had to communicate only with McCabe, Trotter and Beverly. Then the next thing I knew I was receiving a letter from a lawyer's office saying if I didn't pay they will take my home. HOA governing bodies should not have this much power and the actual homeowners have none. I started making payments however because of the lawyers fees and the regime fee that makes an enormous extra bill each month in the amount of $500+ dollars; I am making payments to the lawyer which includes the lawyers fee and the regime fee. However my salary situation has changed some so I'm still making payments just not the total amount.

McCabe, Trotter and Beverly are contacting me saying I need to pay within five days the back amount ; we set up an agreement to have my total bill paid by October and this is just the end of July. I know for a fact there is at least one home owner that does not pay regime fees, his fees are waived, because that homeowner told me he does not pay regime fees. He doesn't pay because he does odd jobs around the property. Why am I not offered the same opportunity? Why isn't all of us? I think this practice is unfair to the home owner. I understand the goal is to collect the fees, however there should have been more communication. Transitioning to Japan caused my payments to be late, I didn't miss the payment I was late with the payment and it was sent back to me without being cashed while I was in Japan so I had no knowledge of what was happening. There was no communication from MJS, Inc. It would seem that the homeowners association would want owners to keep their homes but that doesn't seem to be the case with MJS, Inc.

I am making payments but still being sent threatening letters from McCabe, Trotter and Beverly, the firm that MJS, Inc. retained to collect fees stating I need to contact them within five business days. I think MJS, inc. retaining this law firm is unfair to homeowners because their fee included with the regime fee adds an undue financial burden. There should be something homeowners can do to protect themselves from these unfair practices. Recently MJS, Inc. imposed a parking sticker on everyone in the community. They placed notices on everyone's cars stating your car will be towed by in 48 hours if you didn't purchase a $10 parking decal, per car. There should be something actual homeowners in the community can do to protect themselves.