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WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

Our Certified Property Managers at Independent Property Management LLC have compiled a list of some "Frequently Asked Questions" below. If you can't find the question/answer you are looking for on this page, please contact us and we will give you the answer within 24 hours.

Q: What is a Management Company and what do they do?

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. Not only is the management company a general clearing house for problem solving, communications with homeowners and the Board of Directors but they are to serve in an advisor capacity. The management company reports directly to the Board and all decisions are made by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Q: What is a Homeowner Association?

A: It is a non-profit corporation registered with the State and managed by a duly elected Board of Directors. Its purpose is to maintain all common areas and to govern the community in accordance with the provision of the legal documents: CCR'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 Homeowner Association. Membership is both automatic and mandatory.

Q: What is CCR?

A: The Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CCR) are the governing legal documents that set up the guidelines for the operation of a planned community as a non-profit corporation. The CCR is recorded by the County recorder's office of the County in which the property is located and sould be included in the title to your property. Failure to abide by the CCR's may result in a fine to a homeowner by the Association. The governing legal documents for any Association we manage may be viewed online within the Client Portal of this site.

Q: What are Bylaws?

A: Bylaws are the guidelines for the operation of the non-profit corporation. The Bylaws define the duties of various offices of the Board of Directors, the terms of the Directors, the membership's voting rights, required meetings and notices of such meetings, as well as other specific items that are necessary to run the Association as a business. The Bylaws for any Association we manage may be viewed online within the Client Portal of this site.

Q: What is a Board of Directors?

A: The Homeowner's Association again is a corporation, and therefore a governing body is required to oversee its business. The Board of Directors is elected by the homeowners, or as otherwise specified in the bylaws. Limitations and/or restrictions of power granted to the Board will be outlined in the Association governing documents found within the Client Portal of this site.

Q: Are there any other rules?

A: Most Associations have developed Rules and Regulations as provided for in the CCR and adopted by the Board of Directors. Rules are established to provide direction to the homeowners regarding such things as common areas, parking, vehicles, pets and pool use. In addition, your Association will adopt architectural guidelines with procedures for submitting requests to make exterior changes to your home. Such changes may include patio covers, decks, landscaping, exterior doors or windows, color changes or any additions to the structure. These rules and guidelines are set up to maintain the aesthetic value and integrity of the community on behalf of all homeowners, and hopefully protect the market value of your investment. Violations of these rules by any homeowner may result in the Board of Directors assessing 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 may be required to remove or correct the alteration. For more information about this topic visit the Resource Center page of this site.

Q: I'm having a problem with a neighbor regarding a violation of the Policies and Guidelines, what should I do?

A: If residents cannot resolve a situation between themselves, 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 procedure provided by the Policies and Guidelines, you may complete a Covenant Violation form online. The Violation form may be found for any Association we manage within the Client Portal of 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.

Q: Are Board Meetings open to all residents? If so, where and when are they held?

A: Yes, homeowners are urged to participate in the Associations annual meeting as well as request attendance to address a particular issue the board may have on their agenda for any other scheduled meetings throughout the year. Notice for time and place of these board meetings should be in the Association newsletter, if applicable, or can be accessed online in your Associations section of our Client Portal.

Q: If I want to serve on a committee, how do I find out what committees are active and how I can get involved?

A: The Client Portal for your Association within our website will inform you of current committees organized if any, committee contact information and if applicable, provide a volunteer form you can fill out and submit.

Q: What is an Assessment?

A: An Assessment is the periodic amount due from each homeowner to cover the operating expenses of the common area and provide reserve funds for replacement of common facilities in future years. Your assessments are due on the first of the month unless otherwise stated in your bylaws. Statements will be sent for Assessments as a reminder of amount due and by which date without incurring a late fee.

Q: How is the amount of my Assessment determined?

A: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,roofs 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.

Q: Will my Assessment go up?

A:There is no concrete answer to this. 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.

Q: What happens if I don't pay my Assessment?

A: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 on the first of each month. In addition, the CCR allows the Board of Directors for your Association to charge late fees, interest, proceed with a lien on your property or if necessary, foreclose on the property for nonpayment of assessments.