| CAN WE HELP YOU?
We've compiled a list of
some Frequently Asked Questions below. Feel free to contact our office
for further information.
A: A management company is contracted
by the Board of Directors to provide such services as: collection of
assessments, supervision of subcontractors, obtaining bids for
subcontracted services, providing financial statements and collection
reports, as well as a general clearing house for problem solving,
communications with homeowners and the Board of Directors and to serve
in an advisory capacity. The management company reports directly to the
Board and all decisions are made by a majority vote of the Board of
Directors. "At Its Best" may be reached online through the
Management Office page on this website or by phone from the numbers
listed on the Contact Us page on this site.
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A: A homeowner's association is a
non-profit corporation registered with the State and managed by a duly
elected Board of Directors. It's purpose is to maintain all common
areas and to govern the community in accordance with the provision of
the legal documents: Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions
(CC&R's), Bylaws, and Articles of Incorporation. The governing
legal documents for the association may be viewed online within the
Resource Center page of this site. The corporation is financially
supported by all members of the homeowners association. Membership is
both automatic and mandatory.
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A: The Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions
(CC&Rs) are the governing legal documents that set up the
guidelines for the operation of the planned community as a non-profit
corporation. The CC&Rs were recorded by the County recorder's
office of the County in which the property is located and are included
in the title to your property. Failure to abide by the CC&Rs may
result in a fine to a homeowner by the Association. The governing legal
documents for the association may be viewed online within the Resource
Center page of this site.
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A: The Bylaws are the guidelines for
the operation of the non-profit corporation. The Bylaws define the
duties of the various offices of the Board of Directors, the terms of
the Directors, the membership's voting rights, required meetings and
notices of meetings, and the principal office of the Association, as
well as other specific items that are necessary to run the Association
as a business. The Bylaws for the association may be viewed online
within the Resource Center page of this site.
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A: The Board of Directors is elected by
the homeowners, or as otherwise specified in the bylaws. The
limitations and restrictions of the powers of the Board of Directors is
outlined in the Association governing documents found within the
Resource Center page of this site. The Homeowner's Association is a
corporation and therefore a governing body that is required to oversee
its business.
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A: Rules and Regulations are
established to provide direction to the homeowners for common
courtesies with regard to parking, vehicles, pets, and general rules,
etc. In addition, your Association will adopt Architectural Guidelines
with procedures for submitting requests to make exterior changes to
your home. Such changes may include a shed or playground addition,
patio covers, decks, landscaping, exterior color changes or extensive
interior changes and additions. These rules and guidelines are set up
to maintain the value and integrity of the community on behalf of all
owners, and hopefully protect the market value of your investment as
well. Violations of these rules may result in action by the Board of
Directors and a fine. In addition, if you proceed with an exterior
improvement or change, without written approval of the Board of
Directors, or Architectural Committee, as applicable, you will be
required to remove or correct the alteration and/or be fined for the
violation.
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A: If a neighbor is seen in violation of
the Policies and Guidelines and a situation
cannot resolve between yourselves, then turn to your Association.
Should you have a
situation that does not appear to be resolved through neighborly means,
and you are willing to actively participate in the enforcement provided
by the Policies and Guidelines, you may complete a Covenant Violation
form online. The Violation form may be found within the Management
Office page on this site. If the situation is deemed in violation of
the Policies and Guidelines, the Board of Directors will institute the
enforcement policy. Your continued assistance may be required.
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A: Board Meetings are open to all owners.
Notice of the time and place of any regular board meeting will be noted
in the community newsletter, or accessed online on the Calendar page.
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A: An assessment is the periodic amount
due from each homeowner to cover the operating expenses of the common
area and provide for reserve funds for replacement of common facilities
in future years. Your assessments are due either monthly or quarterly,
typically around the first of the month. Statements, coupon books or
online invoices will be sent for assessments as a reminder of the
amount due. (Please refer to your individual
association for exact amounts, due dates, methods of invoicing,
etc).
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A: Determination of Assessments: The
Department of Real Estate typically requires an initial budget from the
developer for each community that a developer proposes to build. This
budget is set upon specific guidelines for utilities, landscaping,
administration, etc. Reserve funds are monies set aside for future
expenses due to the life expectancy of certain items: lighting, street
resurfacing, pool equipment, etc. These amounts are then divided by the
number of units built in a given phase of the development. Subsequent
budgets are developed by the Board of Directors and adjusted
periodically to meet anticipated expenses.
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A: Assessments
can change: Typically
the Civil Code provides for annual increases, but not to exceed 20
percent per year without the vote of the membership. The Board of
Directors may approve an increased budget, increasing your assessment
up to this percentage in order to cover increased costs of operating
and maintaining the common area and sufficient reserve funds.
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A: Nonpayment
of Assessments: The
maintenance and management services incurred by the Association are
dependent upon timely receipt of the assessments due from each
homeowner. Late payments will result in a late charge as assessments
are due in a timely manner. In addition, the CC&Rs allows the
Association to charge late charges and interest and proceed with a lien
on your property, or foreclosure proceeding for nonpayment of
assessments.
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