New Delhi, Sept. 22 -- A 40% hike in CAM charges at Noida's Cleo County has triggered repeated protests, while residents question transparency and AOA formation. UP rules provide for an apartment owners' association and give its general body a role in deciding common expenses.

A 40% increase in common area maintenance (CAM) charges at Noida's Cleo County has triggered repeated protests since 5 September, bringing a familiar problem in large gated societies back into focus: who controls maintenance, common funds and shared facilities once homebuyers take possession?

The dispute at the Sector 121 society centres on a revision in CAM charges from Rs.2.75 to Rs.3.85 per square foot. The increase is being applied retrospectively from April, ...