Hi PC - You are very lucky that you live in a co-op where the board recognizes regular and steady maintenance increases are much preferable to not increasing maintenance year after year. Your board is absolutely correct that everything is going up; taxes, salaries, supplies, professional services, repairs, the list goes on and on. 1.5% to 2% sounds just in line with inflation, which means your board is doing everything it can to keep costs down to the best of their ability. Those co-ops that do not raise maintenance may think their doing their shareholders a favor, but in the long run they're condemning their shareholders to ultimately absorb a very large maintenance increase (can be double-digits depending on how long the board ignores increased operating expenses) or a hefty assessment to make up the difference. Co-ops that operate with a deficit should be avoided at all costs.

As for continuing to pay maintenance (what you call a service charge) even after you move, you are still a shareholder whether physically present or not. Your unit is still receiving building services, and your monthly maintenance is based on all units paying their fair share. I doubt you'd be happy if you were required to pay any additional maintenance to keep the budget balanced if another shareholder (or two or three) moved out.

All in all, from what you describe, it sounds like your board is making good decisions and exercising good governance for the wellbeing of all shareholders. If you are considering moving solely because of what you describe in your post, I would seriously reconsider.

I've been a board treasurer for 10 years. I'd be happy to discuss this further with you offline if you'd like. I have these kinds of discussions with my shareholders all the time. Let me know if you're interested and I'll figure out some way of getting in touch with you.

Best of luck with whatever you do,
--- Steve