Sudwala fees

[JEFF H]

I have a March and Sept Sudwala week that I had tried to pay the Levy on Back in october. None of my email requesting payment were answered and It slipped my mind until late Nov when I sent a email again but Still received no response. Tried again in December with the same results.
Then in January I received a invoice for my Sept week but nothing for my March week. They still have not answered any of the emails I have sent asking specifics. They only send levy statements and now special assesment fee charges that they can't seem to decide the correct amount.

Did anyone even receive the AGM 2012 booklet detailing the proposed 2013 levy and Financial statements?
I never received one like I had in past years.
Speical Assesments would have had to be voted on and I have received none of this information.
The only information I ever received was that VRS was taking over Sudwala and Nicky was gone.

 

[itchyfeet]

Ditto here. Does anyone have a current phone number for Sudwala? Using One Suite.com, it is very reasonable to call international long distance. I've given up on the e-mails. I need to get my week deposited with RCI or it will be worth nothing. I guess if that happens, I'll just tell Sudwala to take their week back. We were certainly spoiled with Niky!

 

[Sudwala2013]

If we all give our week back then whoever is doing this get exactly what they are looking for - a large holiday complex for nothing which I have a fundamental problem with. Would you mind hanging on a few weeks and in the interim lodge a complaint using the email address highlighted in the earlier threads please. Then, if you want to walk away we can do it en masse and work together on it.

Personally, I am happy to walk away but I would rather give my week to someone else who can get leverage against VRS, rather than give it to VRS. Even better if the recipient agrees to give any profit to a South African charity. If there is anyone out there who can facilitate this then please get in touch. I'd gladly give my weeks up on this basis.... but it would be good if we could get the authorities to investigate in parallel.

 

[itchyfeet]

I'm not giving up yet, but it certainly would be good to get some kind of response to my e-mails.

 

[Suebe]

Sudwala refurb levy

I have been in touch with VRS today, by phone, and spoke to a person called Lelani. I explained my concerns about the statement received re the refurb levy and the fact that there had been no communication about this over the last few months. She is sending a booklet by email to explain the reasons for the levy - I will read it and summarise it on here asap.

An AGM was held in 2012 and she was surprised that I (along with other international shareholders it would seem) had not received any notification of this meeting - and thus no chance to vote if the refurb levy was being discussed at AGM. She was of the opinion that all shareholders had been contacted and was going to check this out with her manager and see where the problems lay - as well as the fact that no information has been received by a number of international owners.

I also emphasised that emails are going unanswered and that it is not a good start to a new management company when the original one (Niky's) was so efficient. The VRS website talks about excellence of service but this is not evident so far!!!

When I bought my Sudwala week, I was sent a Use Agreement so I had a quick read of this. There is a clause in this that states 'the directors may make special levies upon the holders' and that 'such levies may be made payable in one sum or in instalments'. So they do have the right to charge an additional levy.

Sue

 

[Suebe]

refurb fee

These 'Refurbishment Fees', what we call 'Special Assessments' are relatively common in the world of timeshares. It happens when a resort has suspiciously too low MF. That attracts owners, but the resort gets run down and either the HOA wakes up, or the place sells and new ownership needs an infusion of cash to bring the place up to standards.

What you have to decide is if you have faith that the new owners have the owners best interests at heart, that you want to keep the refurbished resort,
or sell, deed back, or walk away.

It's a conundrum only you can answer.

Good Luck!

Sudwala Resort has been undergoing a refurbishment programme for the last few years and the management company who sold to this new management company ran the complex well. Millions of rand have been invested in reroofing the units (from thatch to a special tile that resembles thatch), modernising bathrooms and kitchens in about a third of the units, as well as buying new furniture and soft furnishings, so the resort had not been left to deterioriate. Grounds were always well-maintained and money was spent each year to improve the resort.

As well as the timeshare resort, there is also a hotel complex. It is a silver crown resort and there is probably room for some improvement still, not so much with the units but with the general facilities. From what I can gather, part of the refurb fee is to modernise hotel facilities as well. May be they want to get it up to Gold Crown standard - some of the other resorts they manage are GC!

Sue

 

[stevedmatt]

From what I can gather, part of the refurb fee is to modernise hotel facilities as well.
Sue

Maybe I don't understand, but why should the timeshare owners pay for modernizing a non-timeshare hotel facility?

 

[longnoury]

Dont like the smell of this

When I bought my Sudwala week, I was sent a Use Agreement so I had a quick read of this. There is a clause in this that states 'the directors may make special levies upon the holders' and that 'such levies may be made payable in one sum or in instalments'. So they do have the right to charge an additional levy.


Sounds logical as long as its the elected Board of Directors making the decision to charge the refurb fee not the management company! Sounds like they are trying to pull a fast one. Im guessing there is no mention of it in the 2012 minutes.

 

[longnoury]

AGM

As I recall, I usually get the notice to attend the AGM about a month after the meeting. Checked my file and the last minutes I received were for the 2010 meeting. Up until now I couldn't care less but maybe we should all be sending in our votes.
They should be happy that we pay our levies year after year in advance and not try to screw us over like this. They raise them by a ridiculous 10% every year which should cover any refurbishment.
If you haven't paid your levies already i would hold off until we get more clarification on this issue. If the shareholders didn't approve it i wont be paying!

 

[Suebe]

Maybe I don't understand, but why should the timeshare owners pay for modernizing a non-timeshare hotel facility?

Timeshare guests can use the hotel facilities - there is a large swimming pool, the bar is in the hotel area, as is the restaurant and there are also function/conference rooms where the AGM is usually held. The reception for timeshare is in the hotel as are some souvenir shops. We have visited Sudwala on a number of occasions and there are some areas that could do with a make-over.

I suppose it will benefit everyone to have these areas improved but I did ask the same question myself initially. I have received information on the refurbishment programme as an email attachment. If anyone wants to read it in full, send me your email address via private message and I will forward it to you. I am going to read through it and then summarise it (with comments based on our knowledge of the resort). The refurb levy, by the way, can be paid in full or in instalments.

I have also found a copy of the minutes of AGM that was held in September 2012. I googled Sudwala Chalets Share Block Ltd and they came up in the search. Not much information on any refurb. I have asked Lelanie to send me all the documents that were supposed to have been sent out to all shareholders prior to AGM (as in past years!!). Still waiting to receive it.

Sue

 

[Suebe]

Sudwala refurb information

According to the information I received It is the board of the resort who were instigating a total refurb of the resort based on feedback from owners and exchangees. The document also seems to have come from RHS (the original management company run by Niky) with payment to be made to Sudwala Chalets Share Block Ltd. Maybe this major refurb was in the planning stages before VRS became involved. I know that when we have stayed there, Niky and Cameron have asked us for ideas as to how they could redevelop the chalets (some of the 1-bedroom units are very small). Over the past few years internal refurbishment has been taking place but not in all units (read the AGM reports from previous years).

The Pavilion area (which houses the main reception, shops, etc) has already been modernised by Sudwala Kraal, the company that owns/runs(?) the hotel, and the restaurant is now housed in that area. New security fencing has been erected around the whole complex as well.

One two storey flat-roofed building that used to house the admin office, the bar area, toilets, and conference room has been found to be defective and condemned. The refurb will include knocking this down and building a new building in its place which will be a Recreation Centre with gym, games rooms, jacuzzi, sauna, changing rooms and large patio area.

The building that is the recreation centre at the moment will become an admin centre with laundry facilities so that all laundry can be done on site. It will also continue to house the squash court.

The old restaurant (which is quite small) will become a conference centre.

The refurbishment of the units will start in March 2013 with the two-bedroom units in C Block being totally remodelled internally. There are only about 6 of these. The rest of the units (one-bedroom) will have new bathrooms and kitchens where they have not already been installed, new patio furniture, new soft furnishings, etc. There is also talk of upgrading the hotel rooms (they are like studios and may well be used by timeshare resort) with new bathrooms, kitchenettes, etc.

Staff quarters are going to be upgraded and a new entrance gate, security boom and guard house built (this is needed).

Part of the grounds, near BLock C and hotel, will be made into a picnic area where 'welcome barbecues' can be held.

The document contains plans and photos, so if you want a copy I can send it as an email attachment.

Sue
 

  
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[itchyfeet]

Thank you for posting this information.

 

[longnoury]

Thanks Sue for the update, its would have been nice to get this from VRS that is suppose to be running the resort on our behalf. Was there any indication if this is a one time deal or our they going to be hitting us up every year.

 

[JEFF H]

Thanks for the updated info sue.
I would still like to know why the 2012 AGM was not sent to owners with all the financials and director reports.
Sounds like the new managment company is just going to try and lay the blame on the old.
Nicky had a long history of being a true professional so I find this alittle hard to belive.
My March week is a loss at this point so i'm really leaning toward just walking away.

 

[Suebe]

I had another email today from Sheree at VRS, sending me the same refurb information, statements for 2013 levy (already paid) and refurb levy (not paid yet) as well as form for completion when paying.

Not sure why she was sending all this again!! She did say in her email that it was a one-off levy and there would not be another one in the near future.

Their poor communication is is sharp contrast to that of Niky and her team. :annoyed:

The 2012 AGM minutes do not mention any discussion about a refurb levy. Two of the original board of directors were voted on to the board, and another three seem to have been appointed as well.

I am going to email VRS and repeat my request for the AGM documents sent out prior to meeting.

Sue

 

[pal]

What surprises me is that they are getting many emails from all over the world from us that state what is this about? You would think they would either show their face here on TUG or replay with a general statement explaining. I'm not inclinded be held finanical hostage until I hear what this is about. I don't mind paying my fair share, but this seems too shady.

 

[JEFF H]

What surprises me is that they are getting many emails from all over the world from us that state what is this about? You would think they would either show their face here on TUG or replay with a general statement explaining. I'm not inclinded be held finanical hostage until I hear what this is about. I don't mind paying my fair share, but this seems too shady.

It feels pretty shady to me as well.
The Sudwala levy has gone up around 10% every year so they should have had plenty of funds to maintain and refurbish the resort on a planned schedule.
The fact that the 2012 AGM booklet was not sent to owners detailing the special assesment need is very suspect on it's own.
On the one hand It may be a ploy by the new management at the resort to get owners to walk away so they can take over the shares.
OTOH, my inital investment 10 years ago was low enough that I have already received good value for it.
RCI TPU assigned to my weeks is not all that great for the total levies paid and now the special assesment will make it that much worse.
I have the feeling with nicky gone things are only going to get worse and it's time to cut my loses now.

 

[longnoury]

I pulled the 2012 annual report off the internet and there is no mention of the reburb fee. They just woke up in 2013 and realized they need a ton of money. That in itself is very disturbing. Is there any proxy voting at the meeting or just those few locals and their VRS buddies get to vote?
Not passing the smell test!

 

[stevedmatt]

On the one hand It may be a ploy by the new management at the resort to get owners to walk away so they can take over the shares.

I know they are not replying to any emails but I have sent 3 asking how to relinquish ownership and have got no reponse. If this was the case, I think they would at least reply to my emails.

 

[Susie]

Walk Away

Unfortunately I have to walk away. I just can't afford this anymore.
I also wrote a note attached to the levy about how to deed back and they haven't answered.
Goodbye Sudwala

 

[stevedmatt]

Just sent final correspondence to Sudwala until they respond.

"Simple question, will you take my weeks back? No further response from you
will guarantee no further payments from me."

I doubt they will respond.

 

[stevedmatt]

Wow, more of a response than I thought, auto response....

Good Day,

Thank you for your email.

Please note that the Property Administration Division are currently experiencing very high email and call volumes and we kindly request that you be patient with us, as we attend to your enquiry as soon as possible.

We would like to remind members that levies must be paid in full prior to the use or spacebanking, renting out or any other use of your week.

When making levy payments, please use your Ref Number as indicated on the bottom right-hand corner of your levy statement, as payment reference.

Kind Regards,

The Property Administration Division
Tel: 087 805 2500
Fax: 012 996 0556

 

[Suebe]

Yeh, but it is just an automated response. Their offices are not open at the weekend. I got a couple of these when I was emailing them in December. Still didn't get a follow-up reply and ended up phoning them in January (when their offices opened after a two-week break over Xmas!!)

Sue

 

[longnoury]

Not really sure what to do. Paid my levies for 2013 a long time ago and deposited my week. I use to scoop some pretty good exchanges for a low maintenance fee. Now it all boils down to number of points per dollar of levies. My Myrtle beach gives me 27 points for about $700 or $26 per point. Sudwala gives me 13 points for $350 thats $27 a point.
not counting the crazy refurb fee. Add in the lousy customer service we seem to be getting and I will probably be moving on also. I know Ron Rutter and Fairfields use to buy them for a few bucks and handle all the paperwork. Perhaps those just abondoning there weeks might contact him.

 

[socalgirl]

2009 Newsletter from Niky on Refurbishments

[please see my attachment below which details information about
continuity and history of the refurbishment fee issue.