FAQ

The Association is a legal corporation organized and incorporated under the laws of California. The Association has Articles of Incorporation entitle the association to exercise powers of a corporation. 

 

By purchasing a home within the community association, you automatically become a member of the association and will remain so for as long as you own your home. Membership in the association is mandatory and automatic for all owners. The deed to each Unit specifically designates that the property owner will comply with the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&R’s) of the association. You should have received a copy of these documents at the time your home purchase was closed by the title company. 

 

As a property owner in a community association, you will be required to pay assessments, abide by the community’s rules and restrictions, and maintain those areas of your home for which you are responsible.

 

The term “common interest development” (CID) describes a form of real estate and home ownership that gives individual owners access to common property and facilities. A CID typically includes an operating entity in the form of a non-profit mutual benefit corporation, registered with the State of California and governed by an elected Board of Directors. 

 

As mandated by the Department of Real Estate (BRE), a CID also provides a system of self-governance through an association of homeowners within the CID. The purpose and benefit of an association is to enhance residents’ community life by maintaining the integrity and appearance of common areas, and by ensuring the quality of provided amenities and services.

 

What are the benefits of Association living? Homeowner Associations enhance residents’ community experience by providing access to well-maintained amenities, preserving community standards, and providing opportunities for social and recreational involvement. As a resident, you can enhance the experience as well. A viable, vibrant community is one where homeowners play an active part, not only by fulfilling basic association obligations but also by running for elected offices, serving on committees and participating in group activities. Governing documents lay the logistical foundation, but involved homeowners build the vision and spirit of a community. 

The Board of Directors, made up of unpaid volunteers that own a home in your community, is tasked with maintaining the assets of the community, ensuring the financial health of the association, determining the level of services, and establishing policies and/or rules and regulations governing the use of the common areas. 

 

The Board has a fiduciary responsibility to do what is in the best interest of the association and to provide leadership in community affairs as dictated by the Governing Documents. This includes timely collection of assessments as well as payments made for services provided to the Association. In general, the Board Members are the decision makers for the Association. 

 

To perform these duties, the Board depends upon the advice and counsel of experts in various fields of HOA and Community management. Those include the management company, the association attorney, landscaper contractors, maintenance contractors, insurance specialists, etc.

By statute, corporations must have boards of directors. The powers delegated to boards generally include, but are not limited to the following: 

 

·       manage the association,

·       adopt and enforce rules and regulations,

·       enforce the CC&Rs and Bylaws,

·       contract for services, 

·       levy and collect regular assessments; levy and collect special assessments up to 5% without membership approval,

·       levy and collect emergency special assessments, 

·       pay expenses incurred by the association; prepare and adopt budgets; repair and maintain the common areas,

·       insure the association,

·       disburse reserve money,

·       invest funds,

·       call membership.

 

When making decisions in the interest of the Association, the Board must consider all the facts and factors involved with that issue and make the best business decision for the community possible. Though sometimes, it may appear to those not on the Board, that a decision is not in the best interest of all owners, however all owners are not privy to the information reviewed by the Board to support those decisions. 

 

In addition to the insurance, maintenance, financial and contractual decisions, the Board must also balance their position on the Board with their role as a homeowner. When assessments are increased that means they too must pay the increased assessment. If rules are enacted, they must also obey them. Being a Board member does not give immunity to the rules or obligations of a homeowner. 

 

Please keep in mind that Board members are performing a “double duty” as both a Board member and homeowner with the responsibility of maintaining the values of the property for all homeowners. meetings and appoint inspectors of election; appoint and remove officers; appoint directors to fill vacancies; establish and dissolve committees and initiate and defend litigation.

The management company reports directly to the Board.  All decisions are made by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The management company 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 website. 

The day-to-day responsibilities of managing a community association are extensive. The management company provides associations and the homeowners they serve with assistance in crucial areas, such as 

 

·       Submitting to the Board of Directors monthly financial statements that detail collections, payments and cash flow. 

·       Paying vendor invoices.

·       Collecting monthly assessments and assisting the Board in monitoring delinquencies.

·       Collaborating with the association’s CPA on annual audit and tax filings.

 

·       Guiding the proposal process between the association and qualified service providers. (landscaping, painting, exterior repair, pool, roofing, etc.)

·       Coordinating subcontractor activities and work orders.

·       Acting as the association’s liaison between the board, homeowners, vendors, builders and oversight entities.

 

·       Providing a summary overview of association-related communications received by management. 

·       Receiving and responding to written communications from homeowners, obtaining further direction from the Board as appropriate.

·       Communicating board actions, decisions and requests to the appropriate entity. 

 

·       Working with the Board and the association’s legal counsel to resolve issues in a timely, cost-effective manner.

·       Monitoring relevant state code requirements and facilitating prompt action and compliance. 

 

·       Facilitating insurance coverage as needed for the association.

To rent out your home a written lease is required for a minimum rental period of six (6) months.  Vacation or short-term rentals are not permitted.  

 

The screening of tenants before rental is very important, not only to the owner, but also in consideration of the other residents. 

 

·       Owner must deliver written rules and regulations to the tenant with lease documents. 

·       Owner must provide Management with the contact information of the tenant.

·       Owner is responsible for ensuring their tenants are always abiding by the CC&Rs, policies and rules.

·       Owner is expected to take immediate and necessary action to ensure tenant compliance. and correct violations. 

 

Owners may be fined for disturbances and disorderly conduct by tenants.

Report to PG&E 

·       Find the pole number; identifying pole numbers begin with SH followed by 3 digits OR use the nearest cross streets and/or nearest unit address to assist in locating the pole.

·       Report the street light outage at pge.com by completing a simple form.
To report multiple lights out in an area use the form option for selecting either a single light pole or multiple light poles. 

 

Submit problems or complaints concerning common area maintenance to the Management Company.

 

Depending upon the nature of the problem or emergency contact the appropriate agency FIRST. It is best to receive immediate service in the event of these type problems, and of course, in the event of an emergency. Be sure to keep emergency telephone numbers for the local companies and official agencies. 

For meter repairs or to replace broken meter covers, contact the utility provider by calling the phone number on your service bill.