Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Transcription

1 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What does the Villa Grande Homeowner s Association do? Villa Grande is one of thirteen neighborhoods in Grandézza and is comprised of 79 single family homes. Villa Grande is a community organized as a Homeowner s Association ( HOA ), authorized by Florida State statutes Chapter 720, to enforce the covenants and restrictions contained in the governing documents of the community. Membership in the HOA is a mandatory condition of ownership in the Villa Grande community. The HOA is empowered to make and enforce reasonable rules and regulations governing the property within Villa Grande, including sanctions may include reasonable monetary fines. The operation and management of Villa Grande s affairs are vested in the HOA. Villa Grande HOA has five (5) directors who are elected by members for two-year staggered terms in February, 2015, as follows: Name Position Joseph Drummond (2 year term) President jaydrumm1@gmail.com Tom Miner (2 year term) VP tlminer@msn.com Alan Wilson (1 year term) Treasurer alan@wtcpa.com Don Koser (2 year term) Secretary donkoser@hotmail.com Robert Trail (1 year term) Director raytrail@comcast.net Usually, the Board of Directors meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in the Grandézza Clubhouse. All members are encouraged to attend these meetings. What are the Governing Documents? The Villa Grande HOA Governing Documents include: (1) Articles of Incorporation; (2) By- Laws; and (3) Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements for Villa Grande. The Master POA Governing Documents include: (1) Articles of Incorporation; (2) By- Laws; and (3) Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements for Grandézza, as amended. Each Owner is encouraged to read and retain each of these Governing Documents. These documents, and many others, may be downloaded from the Villa Grande Website: website:: Who is the Property Manager for Villa Grande? Sterling Property Services LLC Bay Landing Dr., Suite 4 Bonita Springs, FL Phone (239) Fax (239) Chris Jordan is the individual assigned to Villa Grande HOA. Phone (239) chris@sterlingpropertyfl.com Villa Grande HOA\2015_10_14 FAQs, Page 1

2 What do I need to do about Leasing The Owner of a Lot has the right to lease such Lot subject to the terms hereof, and subject to the following conditions and the terms of any HOA rules and regulations: (a) (b) (c) (d) All leases shall be in writing; No lease shall be for less than thirty (30) days in duration; The lease shall be specifically subject to the Governing Documents and any failure of the tenant to comply with the Governing Documents shall be a default under the lease; and The Owner shall be liable for all losses and any violation of the Governing Documents committed by such Owner's tenant, without prejudice to such Owner's right to collect any sums paid from the tenant. Each proposed Lessor and prospective Lessee is required to complete and submit an Application for Lease along with a copy of the proposed lease for investigation (a criminal background check) and approval along with a non-refundable payment of $100 by check payable to HOA at least twenty (20) days prior to occupancy. The terms and conditions set forth in the Application for Lease apply as additional rules and regulations to any rules now in force. What does the Master Property Association do? The Grandézza Master Property Owners Association has a duty: (1) To provide for the maintenance, preservation, control and operation of the Master Common Areas within the Grandézza community (not the Common Areas within each Neighborhood); (2) To enhance the civic, social and recreational interests of its Members; and (3) To otherwise promote the health, safety, and welfare of its Members and their property. Membership in the HOA is a mandatory condition of ownership in the Villa Grande community. The Master POA is responsible for the management, operation, maintenance and control of Master Common Areas including the Water Management Systems (lakes, ditches, culverts, lines, and constructed surface and/or underground systems and facilities for the drainage and/or storage of surface water). Those obligations include maintenance, repair, and replacement of landscaping, perimeter walls and entry features; maintenance, repair and replacement of all drainage and irrigation facilities and the Water Management System; maintenance, repair and replacement of all Streets and any and all other improvements located within the Master Common Area; and maintenance of all Conservation Areas. For example, the Master POA controls and supervises the security guards and gates and negotiated a bulk access to Cable TV for all Grandézza residents. Funding for the operation of the Master POA is included as part of the quarterly Villa Grande assessments, collected by the Villa Grande HOA and turned over to the Master POA. Villa Grande HOA\2015_10_14 FAQs, Page 2

3 When does the Garbage and Recycled Material get picked up? Recycled material is picked up every Tuesday. Garbage is picked up every Wednesday. Trash containers and recycle bins must be stored out of sight and may be placed on the curb no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before pick up and must be removed from the curb no later than 6 p.m. the same day of pick up. For more information: Lee County Solid Waste (239) (Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 5 pm). If I have an emergency, whom do I call? In an emergency, call 911. The police non-emergency number is Who supplies electricity to my home? Electric service is provided by Florida Power & Light Company. For more information, go to To report an outage, call (239) Who provides local telephone service? Local Telephone service is provided by CenturyLink or Comcast. For more information about CenturyLink, go to or call (800) For more information about Comcast, go to: or call (800) Who supplies Water & Sewer? Water and Sewer service is controlled by Lee County. For more information, go to: or call 24 hours a day/7 days a week (239) The Customer Service Center is located at 7391 College Parkway, Fort Myers, FL You can send them an at utilities@leegov.com. What can I do if I get a really huge water bill? Lee County has the discretion to lower a really huge water bill, under certain circumstances. You need to fill out a RATE REVIEW REQUEST FORM and mail it, or it, with expenses for repair work. A copy of the form is available Who supplies Cable TV? Basic cable TV service is provided via a bulk contract with Comcast. This basic service is paid for by the Master POA and is included in the Master POA assessment (collected as part of the quarterly dues paid to the Villa Grande HOA). The current location of the nearest Comcast Service Center is at Corporate Lakes Drive, Fort Myers, FL The Comcast telephone number is (800) or login at Villa Grande HOA\2015_10_14 FAQs, Page 3

4 Who can supply Internet access? Comcast (800) and other suppliers provide internet access. How do I arrange Front Gate Access for my guests? The front gate is manned 24 hours a day. To authorize guest entry, call the automated number at You may stop by the front gate if you need a sticker for your automobile or want to provide a list of guests who have permission for access without calling in each time. The front gate telephone number is If there is any emergency, call 911, not the front gate. Can I walk the Golf Paths? The paths around the golf course are for the exclusive use of golfers. Walking the golf cart parts is prohibited. Are there rules about using Hurricane Shutters? Hurricane shutters may be installed or placed in the closed position no earlier than June 1st and must be removed or placed in the open position no later than November 30th (official hurricane season). However, regardless the date, once a hurricane watch has been issued for our area by the National Weather Bureau, shutters can be installed for a limited time period and must be removed within 10 days of the watch being lifted or 10 days after the storm leaves the area. Owners who elect to install their shutters for an extended period of time may do so as long as the shutters have been painted to match the exterior or the trim of the home, or are the clear shutters. No aluminum mill finish shutters will be allowed for this extended period other than during an official hurricane watch. Do I need permission for exterior building changes? Additions or changes to the exterior appearance, features or size of a dwelling shall require prior approval by the Architectural Review Board (ARB) and shall be consistent with the Architectural style and colors of Villa Grande. The exterior appearance or features of a dwelling shall mean, but not be limited to, roof, paint, paint color, trim color, siding, windows, shutters, doors, garage doors, stucco, gutters and downspouts. A drawing showing that portion of the building to be changed or added shall be submitted along with the ARB Application. Do I need permission for landscaping changes? Additions or changes in landscaping to the exterior of a dwelling (e.g., grassed areas, palms, trees, bushes, flowers, and shrubs) shall require prior approval by the ARB. A drawing of the areas to be affected with dimensions, type and size of new planting shall be specified and submitted with the ARB Application; however, certain plants have been pre-approved. In the event a homeowner needs to replace an original planting because it has died or wants to replace it with something other than the original, the ARB has identified alternative plantings that can be installed WITHOUT prior ARB approval. The list is not meant to be all-inclusive. If a Villa Grande HOA\2015_10_14 FAQs, Page 4

5 homeowner would like to use plants that are not identified, and/or deviate from the minimum/maximum, they are required to get prior ARB approval. This is to ensure that the plant fits in with the design and aesthetic theme of Villa Grande, has no history of chronic disease and doesn t increase maintenance costs. What are the rules governing Flags, Sculptures, Lawn Ornaments and Decorations? The HOA Declarations contain a specific provision governing the right of an Owner to display, flags, lawn ornaments, sculptures or other outside decorations on any Lot. Flags, Lawn Ornaments and Decorations. No flags, lawn ornaments, sculptures or other outside decorations shall be displayed on any Lot, with the exception of the flag of the United States of America and temporary holiday decorations; provided that such holiday decorations shall not, in the determination of the Association, be excessive or create a nuisance. Paragraph of the Florida statutes gives a much broader right to display flags than the Villa Grande Declarations, but does contain restrictions on size and number of flags displayed (2) (a) expressly authorizes a homeowner to display one portable, removable United States flag or official flag of Florida and one portable, removable official flag, not larger than 41/2 feet by 6 feet, which represents the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, or a POW-MIA flag, regardless of any covenants, restrictions, bylaws, rules, or requirements of the association (2)(b) expressly authorizes a homeowner to erect a freestanding flagpole no more than 20 feet high on any portion of the homeowner s real property and display from that flagpole, one official United States flag, not larger than 41/2 feet by 6 feet, and display one official flag of the State of Florida or the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard, or a POW-MIA flag, regardless of any covenants, restrictions, bylaws, rules, or requirements of the association. (Bolding supplied). From time, the Board is faced with difficult decisions. Any ornament, however cute and attractive, if not removed, can lead to a waiver of this rule so that the protection intended by the rule is lost. For that reason, based upon legal advice, the Board is compelled to either enforce the rules, as written, or risk the loss of the right to enforce the rules. What happens if my Mailbox is damaged? Replacement and/or repair of damaged mailboxes are the owner s responsibility and shall match the existing mailboxes. The present mailbox is supplied by Lykins Signtak, (239) In the event the same style becomes unavailable or discontinued, the ARB shall choose a new standard for the Association. Villa Grande HOA\2015_10_14 FAQs, Page 5

6 May I install a satellite dish? Satellite dishes are permitted and require prior approval of the ARB. The maximum number of dishes permitted is two. A drawing showing the proposed location, installation, and proposed screening, if necessary, shall be submitted along with the ARB Application. May a contractor display a sign on my lawn? No sign or advertisement of any kind, including, without limitation, those of realtors, contractors and subcontractors, shall be erected on any Lot unless the same complies with the standards and guidelines established by the Association, except as may be required by legal proceedings. The Villa Grande requirements for real estate sign specifications are the same as the Master requirements. Ask the property manager for a copy. May I install solar panels? Solar Panels are permitted and require prior approval by the ARB as to the location of installation. A drawing showing the proposed installation shall be submitted along with the ARB Application. May I install an underground propane tanks/generator? Underground propane tanks are permitted to be installed underground. Prior approval of the ARB is required. Applications shall be accompanied with a drawing showing the proposed location of the tank to the house, location of generator and the proposed plantings to screen the generator from view. Lee County approval is required. Who repairs or maintains the driveway? You, the owner. If driveways are to be replaced, they shall be paver bricks of the same design and color as already exists. In the event the same style is not available, the ARB shall choose a new standard for the Association. Who is responsible for the maintenance of my residence? Maintenance and cleanliness of the exterior dwelling is the owner s responsibility. It shall at all times be maintained in a finished, painted, clean, neat and attractive condition. This includes, but is not limited to roofs, shutters, and doors, building walls, garage doors, stucco and paint. Owners do not require ARB approval if repainting with the original color scheme of the home. May I plant a fruit tree? Fruit trees are permitted in the rear of the home only. The Association does not provide maintenance nor cover the maintenance cost. Villa Grande HOA\2015_10_14 FAQs, Page 6

7 Who takes care of the landscaping and sprinkler system in Villa Grande? The HOA is responsible for the maintenance of lawns and landscaping, excluding the installation and/or replacement of annuals, perennials, or specialized or exotic vegetation. The Association is responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of all irrigation facilities, including but not limited to, sprinkler pumps, piping, and sprinkler heads. It is intended that the Association be responsible for the general care and maintenance of all landscaping on all Lots, except as excluded herein. Owner shall be responsible for the maintenance of their residence and any other improvements constructed upon the Lot, and all components thereof. The HOA has a contract with Renfro & Jackson for landscaping services. Renfro and Jackson are normally working on Monday and Tuesday for normal landscaping services. Monthly wet checks are performed to monitor the sprinkler system. Each unit has a timer/clock that operates the sprinkler system on that lot. You are the owner that clock; repair or replacement is your responsibility. Each timer/clock has, or should have, an operating rain gauge that interrupts the regular sprinkling, due to rain. Renfro & Jackson set up and adjust the sprinkler system throughout the year, as conditions change. In Villa Grande, and only Villa Grande, the developer set up the sprinkler system to use metered city water; thus, Villa Grande residents will see higher water and sewer bills than other neighborhoods. The HOA has investigated other possibilities but at the present time, none are economically feasible. What do I do if I have an emergency with the sprinkler system? If you have an emergency problem with the sprinkler system (i.e., the system is broken, dumping large volumes of water and won t shut off), call Rick Graham at Renfro & Jackson (239) ; then call Chris Jordon of Sterling Property Management at (239) It is wise to follow up with a confirming to each: RGraham@renfroejackson.com and chris@sterlingpropertyfl.com. For non-emergency issue, call Renfro Jackson at (239) and Chris Jordan at (239) How do I pay my Quarterly Assessments? The Due Date for Regular Assessments is January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. Please be sure to diary these dates on your calendar to avoid any confusion over the date of payment. Assessments may be paid: (1) by check, (2) via Online Banking, (3) by Electronic Direct Debit, or (4) by credit card. Beware a $14.95 administration fee is charged for credit card payments. If an assessment is not paid on or prior to the Due Date, on the 15 th day after the Due Date, pursuant to Article 10.8 of the Covenants, the delinquent Owner shall be charged monthly interest at the rate of 18% per annum on any unpaid balance, retroactive to the Due Date. Quarterly Assessments are due on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of each year. Villa Grande HOA\2015_10_14 FAQs, Page 7

8 Where do I send my payments? If mailed, checks should be mailed to: Villa Grande HOA c/o Bank United P.O. Box Tampa, FL This summary is intended to assist you, but in the event of any conflict between the statements herein and the Governing Documents, the Governing Documents control. Villa Grande HOA\2015_10_14 FAQs, Page 8