FAQ’s

A homeowner’s association, also known as a common interest development (CID), is a non-profit corporation, controlled by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by the members of the Association. Their duty is to protect and maintain the community assets and to equitably enforce the governing documents. The benefit to these restrictions is the protection of your property values through a system of self-governance.

 The DCC&R’s provide information on each homeowner’s property rights and obligations to the association and the association’s responsibilities to the homeowners. It also details the duty of the association to collect assessments, insurance requirements, restrictions on use of the property, and architectural control issues. The DCC&R’s may outline the method for amending provisions of the document by the vote of the homeowners.

The Board of Directors has the authority to make and enforce rules that regulate behavior. Associations frequently have rules that address such activities as the use of the common areas, parking, posting signs, and pet control. Rules and regulations are just as enforceable in an association as the DCC&R’s, Bylaws, and applicable laws.

Most associations have developed Rules and Regulations as provided for in the DCC&R’s and adopted by the Board of Directors. Rules are established to provide direction to the homeowners for common courtesies regarding exterior maintenance of the owner property, parking, types of vehicles permitted, pets and amenity uses when applicable, etc. In addition, your Association will adopt Architectural Guidelines with procedures for submitting requests to make exterior changes to your home or property. Such changes may include pool installation, outbuildings, patio covers, decks, landscaping, exterior color changes, or other additions.

Generally, the rights of the owners include:  The right to vote to elect or recall the Board of Directors in accordance with the governing documents.

• The right to vote to amend the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and CC&R’s;
• The right to be elected to the Board of Directors; and,
• The right of access to certain documents of the association.

The volunteer Board of Directors that you elect operates the corporation on your behalf.

Each association has operating expenses that include common area maintenance, utilities, insurance, legal costs, management fees, and reserves for future repairs and replacements or capital improvements. Income to cover the expenses is collected as an assessment, which represents each owner’s share of their financial obligation to the association. The assessment level is set by the Board of Directors who adopt an annual budget and distributes that to the members each year.

Every person owning a unit or lot within a community association automatically becomes a member of the association and is required to pay the assessment as outlined in their governing documents. Non-payment could result in a lien against the home, and possibly foreclosure.

Please make all checks payable to the association(s) in which you reside. The mailing address for your association is printed on your payment coupons or statement.

Most assessments are on an annual basis being due January 1st and late after January 30th, but this varies association to association. Please review your Association’s governing documents, payment plan policy or delinquency policy. Please be aware that you will be charged late fees, collection fees, and interest if you do not pay your assessment on time. Accounts are not considered current unless all assessments and fees have been paid in full. PAYMENT PLANS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

The Organizational hierarchy of an association consists of:

• The Board of Directors establishes policies and procedures.
• Homeowners are responsible for paying assessments, voting in elections, and complying with the governing documents.
• Management Company executes the day-to-day operations of the association, is a point of contact for property owners, contractors, Board members, etc. Management is the record keeper for the association and collects association assessments, manages the association’s expenses and payments, and produces monthly financial reports. Management also oversees the policies and procedures as established by the Board of Directors and enforces the compliance of owners with the governing documents on the Board’s behalf. 
• Committees research and make recommendations to the Board of Directors who then make the final decisions, i.e., Newsletter Committee, Architectural Committee, Rules Committee and Grounds Committee.
• Subcontractors are professionals hired by the Board to perform services for the association. The Management Company oversees the subcontractors.

Professional association management provides expert guidance to the volunteer Board of Directors in the operation and management of your community’s assets. While the Board of Directors is responsible for conducting the business of the corporation, they may delegate to management the authority to carry out the day-to-day operation of the association. The scope of services provided by a managing agent will vary based on the needs of each association. Contractual management duties may include the preparation of financial statements, collection of assessments, coordination with maintenance contractors, and solicitation of bid proposals.

Azalea MC is a separate business enterprise hired to act as an agent of the association. We are not affiliated with any builder or developer. 

Each association has operating expenses that include common area maintenance, utilities, insurance, legal costs, management fees, and reserves for future repairs and replacements or capital improvements. Income to cover the expenses is collected as an assessment, which represents each owner’s share of their financial obligation to the association. The assessment level is set by the Board of Directors who adopt an annual budget and distributes that to the members each year.