The cost of village living

Peggy and Ted analysed the service charges in their village over the last few months of being in residence. They found the following deductions for services:

• $7 to replace a light bulb
• $2 to put a new band-aid on Ted's hand
• A margin charged over the cost of engaging village tradesmen to fix a leak in the kitchen sink
• A fixed monthly charge of $30 for the upkeep of common areas, but they find that this can be increased without residents' input
• A management fee of 14% of the village's total operating expenses
• A surcharge of $3 for each resident in being transported on day visits to the city

From that point on, Peggy and Ted realised they would have to be more wary of the costs they were incurring by taking advantage of the services offered in their village.