Should I use a proxy to attend my timeshare HOA meeting?

Ask the Timeshare Crusader / January, 2011

I've received an e-mail from a company that is asking me to pay them money and designate them as my proxy at my resort's annual HOA Meeting. Since I live in Missouri and my timeshare is located in Florida, I'll be unable to attend the resort's annual HOA meeting. Should I go with this company? We've had a huge increase in our annual maintenance fees and taxes this past year, so I'm interested in hearing what the resort has to say, but I'm a bit leery. Thanks.

You are right to be leery. Although attending and participating in annual HOA meetings is vital for all timeshare owners, this screams of just another scheme designed to rip timeshare owners off… they just don't seem to end, do they?

You do NOT want to pay anyone to attend your meeting in your stead. You can, of course, appoint someone to attend your meeting for you (also known as a proxy), but I would only assign a trusted friend or relative to do this. Provide them with a list of questions that you want answered.

In these troubled times, with timeshare resorts increasing annual fees, laying off resort personnel and more than a few resorts filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (particularly in Florida where you say your timeshare is located), timeshare owners need to have a voice. I'll be compiling a list of timeshare resorts with the dates/times/places of their annual meetings and will be posting the results on my blog.

Please send me any information you have about your timeshare resort's annual HOA meeting and I will add it to my list.