As a professional property management company, Shew Community Management is dedicated to providing its clients what they need to make sound and informed decisions about their community and its well-being. Below are answers to commonly asked questions for both association boards and homeowners.

What is the purpose of a community association?
What are governing documents?
Are governing documents received by each association member?
What are deed restrictions?
Is the association responsible for member compliance with restrictions?
What is common area?
What is a “Master” association?
Are architectural modifications or property improvements allowed?
Who has authority to approve exterior modifications?
Who controls the association?
Who are members of the association?
Who is entitled to vote?
What are assessment fees?
Who determines the amount due for assessment fees?
Can assessment fees be increased?
How do I pay fees due the association?
Is the association annual budget published?
What does association insurance cover?
What is an association manager?
Who should be contacted for association inquiry or service?
How can we motivate homeowners to report rules violations?

If you have a question not answered below, please contact us.

What is the purpose of a community association?

The primary purpose of a community association is to establish an entity that will preserve, maintain, enhance and protect the value of property and amenities within the boundaries of a specific community. Community associations are commonly established as a non-profit corporation.

What are governing documents?

Governing documents are recorded legal documents which may include Articles of Incorporation, Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, Bylaws, among others which determine structure of an association and establish obligations and responsibilities of its members and elected officer and directors.

Are governing documents received by each association member?

Copies of governing documents are provided along with closing documents when purchase transaction is completed. Additional or replacement copies may be obtained from the association for a nominal fee.

What are deed restrictions?

Upon acceptance of a deed to property which is subject to conditions, covenants, and restrictions that “run with the land”, the owner is responsible for adherence to the provisions set forth in governing documents, which ensure rights of enjoyment and require compliance with specific restrictions.

Is association responsible for member compliance with restrictions?

If an association member fails to comply with any conditions, covenant, restriction or rules and regulations, the association Board of Directors is authorized to require remedy or removal. Specific policies and procedures are established to accomplish violation notification, penalties and legal enforcement.

What is common area?

The term common area is generally used to describe all elements within the community that are owned and maintained by the association, and dedicated to shared use and enjoyment of all owners

What is a “Master” association?

Large scale planned communities establish a “Master Association” that is responsible for governing the entire community. Individual neighborhoods within a large planned community may also be governed additionally by a separate “Sub Association”.

Are architectural modifications or property improvements allowed?

In order to preserve the aesthetic quality of a community, prior approval of any exterior alteration, modification, or addition to individual property is required. Forms and applications for submission of detailed plans and specifications are available upon request.

Who has authority to approve exterior modifications?

The authority to review and approve modification is generally delegated to an Architectural Review Committee in accordance with governing documents.

Who controls the association?

Community associations are initially controlled by a Declarant, generally the developer of a specific community, who filed the recorded governing documents.

Individuals are appointed by the Declarant to serve as the association’s Board of Directors until stated requirements have been met for transition to owner control and membership election of the Board of Directors.

Who are members of the Association?

Most community associations require mandatory membership in the association for every owner of a lot within the boundaries of a specific community.

Who is entitled to vote?

The property owner with legal title to a parcel of property (lot) and verified as an association member in good standing is entitled to vote.

What are assessment fees?

Assessment fees (dues) are fees that are imposed upon on individual lots by the association in accordance with the governing documents.

Who determines amount due for assessment fees?

The amount of individual assessment fees is based on income required to cover the expenditures and contingencies required to maintain a sound and prudent financial condition for the association. After comprehensive review and approval of an association annual budget, the Board of Directors will determine if an increase in individual assessment fees will be necessary to accommodate a balanced budget.

Can assessment fees be increased?

Yes, requirements for approval of an increase in fees are set forth in the Declaration. Some Declarations provide that a limited percentage increase may be automatically imposed annually without a vote of the membership.

How do I pay fees due the association?

Association assessment fees (dues) are billed by statement when due and payable. Payment should be made only by check payable to the association or by electronic bank account debit or credit card debit if selective options of payment methods are offered by the association.

Is the association annual budget published?

A copy of the annual budget is mailed to all owners prior to be adopted. You may request a budget at anytime throughout the year.

What does association insurance cover?

Prudent risk management requires adequate insurance coverage for all association property, general liability, and directors and officers protection.

What is an association manager?

An association manager is a company, such as Shew Community Management, that is hired and appointed by the Board of Directors to implement approved policies and procedures and provide effective management and guidance for daily administrative, financial, and operational duties of the association.

Who should be contacted for association inquiry or service?

The association manager is responsible for receipt and response of association inquiries and service requests. Requests requiring attention of the Board of Directors will be referred for consideration.

How can we motivate residents to report rules violations?

Enforcing association rules is a difficult task. The board has a duty to enforce the rules, but, as in your case, it often gets little or no assistance from community members who are reluctant to report violations by their neighbors. Read our helpful article on how to motivate your residents to report rules violations...