We, the boards of gated communities are desperately seeking help from the government to pass legislation to protect the longevity of our communities.

Gated Communities are not governed by the Strata Titles Act afforded to strata complexes, where the owners are bound to pay their maintenance fees. The Strata Titles Act gives the Strata Corporation and the Strata Commission Authority to sell the property if fees are not paid, there is no such rule governing gated communities.

While maintenance fees are a necessity to maintain our facilities and more importantly to provide security for our residents, we have no authority to compel payment. The level of delinquent owners is rising both in Strata Corporations and Gated Communities, therefore debilitating the proper management of the community and putting an unfair burden on compliant residents. There is already evidence across Jamaica where some gated communities are now dilapidated and in a state of disrepair due this mentality of not paying fees.

New legislation needs to be passed to enforce improved contract clauses provided by the building companies selling properties in gated communities that affect delinquent owners privileges (e.g. No Vehicle access, No Visitors, A right to publish a list of delinquent owners) and more importantly the right to sue for the recovery of maintenance fees.

The new legislation also needs to give powers to the management boards by providing an addendum to current contract agreements or overriding laws that take immediate effect.

Change is needed now, and we need to lobby our government. Please support us and sign this petition.