What is a homeowner's association?
It is a nonprofit corporation registered with the State of California 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: CC&R's, ByLaws, and Articles of Incorporation.
What is my assessment?
The assessment is the monthly 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 on the first of the month. Statements will be sent for assessments as a reminder of the amount due.
How is the amount of my assessment determined?
The California Department of Real Estate requires a budget from the developer for each community that a developer proposes to build. This budget is set up on 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 a development. Subsequent budget are developed by the Board of Directors.
Will my assessment go up?
There is no concrete answer to this. The California 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.
What happens if I don't pay my assessment?
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 the month. In addition, the CC&R's allows the Association to charge late charges and interest and proceed with a lien on your property, or foreclosure proceeding for non-payment of assessments.
What is a "management company" and what do they do?
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 advisor capacity. The management company reports directly to the Board and all decisions are made by a majo6ty vote of the Board of Directors.
What are the CC&R's?
The Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R's) are the governing legal documents that set up the guidelines for the operation of the planned community as a non-profit corporation. The CC&R's 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&R's may result in a fine to a homeowner by the Board of Directors.
What are the Bylaws?
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 business.
What is the Board of Directors?
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. The limitation and restrictions of the powers of the Board of Directors is Outlined in the Association governing documents.
Are there any other rules?
The association has developed Rules and Regulations as provided for in the CC&R's and adopted by the Board of Directors. Rules are instigated to provide direction to the homeowners for common courtesies with regard to parking, vehicles, pets and pool use hours, 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 patio covers, decks, landscaping, exterior color changes or extensive interior changes and additions. These rules and guidelines are set up to maintain the aesthetic 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, you will be required to remove or correct the alteration and/or be fined for the violation.
How can I have a tree removed from the front of my home?
When a homeowner calls and
requests a tree and/or plant be removed and/or replaced, the following steps
should be followed.
1. Management will write a service order for the Landscape
Contractor, with a copy to the Chair of the Landscape Committee. If the homeowner is requesting that the tree/shrub be removed
for aesthetic reasons, then Management should consult with the Landscape
Committee Chair and proceed with the process outlined in Step 5.
2. If the request is based on
the condition of the tree, the Landscape Contractor will be asked to inspect and
advise in writing if the tree/shrub is dead/diseased/damaged and whether it
should be removed or another course followed.
3. If the recommendation is to remove, the Landscape Contractor
should advise as to whether the tree/shrub should be replaced and with what type
tree/shrub and at what cost.
4. Management will confer with the Chair of the Landscape
Committee on the proper course of action. If
replacement is appropriate, both the removal and the replacement will be done at
the HOA expense. The homeowner will
be advised of the intended action before removal and replacement occurs.
5. If the tree/shrub is not dead/diseased/damaged or a remedy
less than removal is being recommended, Management will advise the homeowner and
ask if the homeowner would like to have the tree/shrub removed and possibly
replaced at the homeowner’s expense. If
so, Management will ask the Landscape Contractor for a cost quote for the
removal and replacement and a recommendation for the tree/shrub replacement if
appropriate. Management will advise the homeowner in writing, who can
either authorize the work by written notice acknowledging that they will pay the
amount for removal/replacement or determine they do not want to proceed with the
removal/replacement. Management
will confer with the Landscape Committee Chair throughout this process.
What do I do with my garbage if I have to leave before 6:00pm on Sunday?
Garbage is not to be placed out at the curb before 6:00pm Sunday, the night before regular pickup. If you have to leave before 6:00pm, You can ask a neighbor to put your garbage out and bring you containers back by Monday evening OR you can contact Burrtec Waste & Recycling Services at 760 340-2113 and arrange to have the driver pick up your garbage from behind your side gate. The driver will remove and replace your containers for a very nominal fee.
What do the Citrus Street Names Mean?
LIMA-lime tree, citrus limetla, lime
PINA-mound of dirt in the form of a cone, pineapple
NECTAREO-netareal, nectarean, sweet nectar
NISPERO-medlar tree
MANDARINA-tangerine
TORONJA-a type of grapefruit
AZAHAR-flower of the fruit, lemon or orange flower
POMELO-a type of grapefruit
SANDIA-watermelon
TANGELO-tangelo, type of orange
LIGA-bird lime
CIDRA-fruit, citron
POMO-fruit in general, particular fruit of the apple tree
CETRINO-yellow, lemon colored
FRESA-strawberry, fruit of the strawberry
BAYA-berry, any small fruit with seeds or stones
BREVA-Fig
CEREZA-Cherry