Townhomes at Claremont Home Owners Association http://tachoa.org/ Quick Reference & Newcomer Guide Version: January 3, 2018 ~Bamboo Grove, Lions Point, Whale Point, Zebra Point ~ Reilly Grove Our community is only as good as the commitment from Residents to be involved and maintain decent standards! 1
Welcome to Townhomes at Claremont - we are a non-profit organization that maintains the common interest of our Association. There are 94 townhomes within two locations, built by Pulte from 2004-2006. We are located in the Claremont Ranch subdivision east of Colorado Springs CO 80951. This guide provides an outline about living here; please see our official Rules and Regulations for more complete information on compliance issues. HOA Service Providers COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT BUILDING INSURANCE TRASH SERVICE LANDSCAPING SNOW REMOVAL SECURITY PATROL Warren Management Group 1720 Jet Stream Dr., Ste 200 Colorado Springs, CO 80921 American Family -Mario Aragon Agency 1135 E. Fillmore St. Colorado Springs, CO 80907 Bestway Disposal Friday except major holidays Weisburg Landscape Maintenance Griffith Maintenance Advantage Security Local Service Providers Community Manager (719) 685-8760 Accounting (719) 685-7821 FAX: (719) 534-9177 (719) 570-0707 (719) 633-8709 Contact through HOA Community Manager Contact through HOA Community Manager Contact through HOA Community Manager ELECTRICITY Mountain View Electric (719) 495-2283 NATURAL GAS Colorado Springs Utilities (719) 448-4800 WATER Cherokee Metropolitan District (719) 597-5080 CABLE TV, INTERNET, Phone COMCAST XFINITY 800-266-2278 TELEPHONE & INTERNET CENTURY LINK 800-244-1111 SATELLITE TV DIRECT TV 888-777-2454 DISH NETWORK 888-825-2557 FIRE PROTECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT RECYCLING AND DUMP HAZARDOUS WASTE (Free) US MAIL FALCON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT EL PASO COUNTY SHERRIFF Bestway Transfer Station 543 Air Lane Co Springs 80929 EP COUNTY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT 3255 Akers Dr, Co Springs CO 80922 US Post Office 5925 Galley Rd Colorado Springs CO 80915 (719) 495-4050 or 911 for emergencies Dispatch (719) 390-5555 or 911 for emergencies (719) 574-8989 Approx distance: 2.5 miles (719) 520-7878 24 HOUR RECORDING HTTP://adm.elpaso.com (719) 596-9346 2
Quick Highlights ANIMALS BUILDING MAINTENANCE COMPLAINTS DECORATIONS FIREWORKS GARAGES INSURANCE HO-6 LIGHT BULBS PARKING PERMITS PORCHES QUIET HOURS RENTING / LEASING RENTERS / TENANTS SECURITY PATROL SIGNS AND FLAGS SNOW REMOVAL TRASH COLLECTION UNIT REGISTRATION YARD SALE AND OPEN HOUSE WINTER FREEZE WARNING!! Dogs must be accompanied and leashed at all times; clean up immediately after your dog; violators may be fined; HOA approval required for more than 2 animals; Dog pee KILLS GRASS Owners will be held financially liable for grass repair No modifications to the building or lot, allowed without approval of HOA. Common area outside is property of HOA no placement or planting of any items allowed. Send complaints about noise, pets, property condition, vehicles or activity by email to Community Manager; Complaints affecting safety or civil matters to EP County Sherriff Decorations may be displayed 30 days prior to the holiday, and shall be removed within 14-days after the holiday Lighting of fireworks prohibited upon any lot or in the common area; residents should call EP County Sherriff s dispatch if you have concerns for safety Garages shall not be used for storage which prevents parking of a motor vehicle within, and shall not be converted for recreational use Owners must purchase their own HO-6 insurance policy to cover interior of unit, and Loss Assessment which is your share of the deductible of the HOA policy. Porch bulbs are your responsibility; exterior garage bulbs may be replaced by resident or will be replaced 3 times per year as needed by HOA Parking must be within your garage, leaving outdoor spaces for guests; HOA parking permit required for outdoor parking spaces from 12AM-7AM; see Parking Policy Porches may not be used for storage; porches must remain neat in appearance Quiet hours are 10:00 pm-7:00 am daily; stereo-base does reverb through walls more than you think; please be courteous and considerate with your neighbor Owners must provide tenant with copy of HOA Rules and Regulations, and complete Unit Registration form with names of Tenants, including pet and vehicles info; Owners you have the power to not-allow pets, or limit the pet-size/type when renting your unit. You must have your own renter s insurance, and must follow the Rules of the Association; your Landlord will be notified and held accountable for your compliance with HOA Rules. Our community currently receives security patrol s multiple/random nights each week Signs and flags are restricted; please see our rules and regulations for detail Snow under two-inches is the resident s responsibility; over 2-inches the HOA s Trash day is Friday but shifts to Saturday on weeks with major holidays, paid by HOA; trash tote MUST be store in the garage EXCEPT for trash day. All Owners must complete annual registration form every January with our Association s management company, and within 30-days of applicable changes Yard sale holders must be considerate of their neighbors, and remove signs and banners within 72-hours afterward posting If you leave town and turn your heating system off, or down too low, the water pipes in your home WILL FREEZE and bust during sub-freezing temps, causing major water damage costing you thousands to repair beware! 3
General Information CRIME WATCH FIRE PROTECTION HAZARDOUS WASTE MAPS AND FLOOR PLANS RECYCLING AND DUMP TRASH SERVICE US MAIL UTILITIES We enjoy one of the lower-crime rates in the area, but we are not immune. Keep an eye out use common sense. Outside lighting is recommended to discourage crime. If you see something suspicious, write down the license plate number or description just in case. We live outside the city limits, so the El Paso County Sherriff is our law enforcement agency. EP County Sheriff Dispatch (719) 390-5555 or 911 for emergencies We are in the Falcon Fire Protection district; the Falcon Fire Chief has authority over fire protection issues for our community. There are several fire hydrants located upon Association property. The Falcon Fire department is several miles away; therefore they have an agreement with Cimarron Fire District to assist with fire calls. Falcon Fire Department (719) 495-4050 or 911 for emergencies The El Paso County Solid Waste Management facility offers free hazardous waste disposal: Paint, automotive products, batteries, household chemicals, data storage devices, electronic equipment including microwave ovens TV-19 or smaller, florescent lights, 24-hour recording (719) 520-7878: http://adm.elpaso.com then click environmental division, then hazardous waste. Property diagrams are available on the Townhomes at Claremont HOA website: http://tachoa.org You will find property diagrams and floor plans posted there. Our trash company Bestway offers recycling-totes as add-on for a modest fee this is an option if you choose to spend the money. Another option is the Bestway Transfer Station Dump 543 Air Lane, Co Springs CO 80929, (719) 574-8989, or the El Paso County solid waste management facility 3255 Akers Dr, Co Springs CO 80922, (719)520-7878 will both accept your recyclables for free. Both facilities are 2 ½ miles from us. El Paso County Solid Waste Management also offers free hazardous waste disposal. Weekly trash service with individual trash totes is paid by the HOA. The company hired by the HOA is the only one authorized to provide reoccurring trash service. Trash day is every Friday, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years week - the pick-up day shifts to Saturday. You must store your trash tote inside your garage except on trash day. Trash totes are labeled to prevent mix-ups; please do not remove the address label from your tote. Trash totes are to remain with the townhome upon sale of the home. BESTWAY Disposal(719) 633-8709 If you get your neighbors mail by mistake, there are two options you can take: 1) return the mail to the postal system for re-delivery, or 2) you can take it to the correct address. Feel free to contact the post office because they need to be aware when there is a problem. Note: Our zip code changed from 80915, to 80951 on July 1, 2006. US Post Office 5929 Galley Rd (719) 596-9346 Electricity, gas, and water are provided by three separate companies listed on the inside cover of this guide. If gas or electricity is disconnected, the owner must ensure the home is professionally winterized to prevent freezing / busting of water pipes. See page 2 of this Guide 4
Maintenance INTERIOR VERSUS EXTERIOR ASK FIRST! AIR FILTERS BUILDING MAINTENANCE DOGGY STATIONS FRONT DOOR AND STORM DOORS GARAGE DOOR LOT DIMENSIONS: DEPTH: Each lot is 63 feet deep. WIDTH: End-units are 26.67 feet wide Middle units are 21.25 wide. Based on these dimensions, your lot-size is the space within your walls, plus about 5- feet in front & behind your townhome. Blue print drawings on file with El Paso County The Association is responsible for exterior maintenance of the buildings and grounds. No improvements shall be constructed, erected, placed, planted, applied or installed upon any Lot, or in the common areas, except as approved by the Board of Directors. This includes Air Conditioning Units you must obtain prior-approval in writing. Each townhome has an air filter on each level. Filters need replaced every 30-days to 6 months depending on quality of the filter, number of occupants, how much the AC/Heater runs, and number of pets. Filter sizes are: 14 x 20 x1 (main level) 14 x14 x1 (upper level). You are encouraged to keep these filters changed. The Association is responsible for exterior building maintenance, not including windows, garage doors and pedestrian doors, except for the painting or staining of such door and window frames. No modifications or additions may be made to the building without written approval by the Board of Directors. Doggy-stations throughout our property contain a bag-dispenser, and a waste container. Solo bag-dispensers are also placed throughout. These are a courtesy for dog owners; please use of them AND please advise the Community Manager of pet violations (you will remain unanimous). Covenants Article IX paragraph 5 Dog owners must immediately clean up after their dogs. Violators or the responsible home owner, will be warned and/or fined $25 to $100 All pets regardless of size must be restrained on a leash and accompanied at all times while outdoors. Pets must not be tied unattended anywhere outdoors Written approval by HOA is required for more than 2-pets Maintenance and replacement of your front-door is responsibility of the Unit Owner. Front doors shall not be stained or painted a different color than the color established at the time of original installment by the builder. Original door is fiberglass; original color is Honey Maple. Recommend a gel-stain followed by a clear urethane finish. These STORM DOORS (in white) are pre-approved; any other storm door requires advanced approval in writing from the Board (submit photo and model# thru Manager) Anderson HD 2000/2500 (Home Depot) Pella Montgomery (Lowe s) Pella Courtyard (Lowe s) Larson Tradewinds (Lowe s) *Larson Tradewinds not recommended for end units; door handle only fits when mounted opposite entry door s knob. The maintenance and replacement of your garage door is responsibility of the Unit Owner. Garage doors shall not be stained or painted a different color than the color established at the time of original installment by the builder. The original color is white. 5
Maintenance LANDSCAPING OUTSIDE GARAGE LIGHT PORCH LIGHT SATELLITE DISH SNOW REMOVAL WATER VALVES WATERING RESTRICTIONS WINDOWS WINTER FREEZE WARNING!! Lawn care is performed at Association expense from April through September. Weekly policing of trash by the landscape company occurs October through March; this includes emptying doggy waste bins. No improvements shall be constructed, erected, placed, planted, applied or installed upon any Lot except as approved by the Board of Directors. Covenants Article V Exterior garage bulbs are replaced by the Association 3- times per year as needed. Residents may replace their own bulb if they so choose; no color bulbs. If your light is out, sometimes the bulb is not the problem. There is a little trip-switch inside your garage that will cause this problem. It is easy-to-fix. All you have to do is push the reset button on the white ELECTRICAL OUTLET-PLUG in your garage. That outlet is also called a GFI (ground fault interrupter). Try that first. Porch Lights: Bulb replacement is the responsibility of the resident. It is a proven fact light discourages crime and improves safety. Recommend porch lights-on at night! The Association governs placement and mounting of TV satellite dishes. The dish must be roof-mounted on the garage-side of the townhome. This requirement ensures consistency and quality appearance throughout the community. Responsibility to correct placement of dish or loose wiring rests with the Owner/occupant of that unit. Snow accumulations under two-inches on the sidewalk are the responsibility of the home owner or resident this includes renters/tenants. Accumulations over two inches are the responsibility of the Association. When accumulations are over four inches on the roadway, the Association will pay for plow service. The Unit Owner is responsible for the maintenance and necessary replacement of the water curb-stop valve which supplies water from the water company. The curb-stop valve is located several feet below ground on the driveway apron upon your lot. If you need to cut-off the supply in your home a master cut-off valve is located in the water heater closet, within the garage. Cherokee Metropolitan District supplies our water for irrigation. They impose watering restrictions that limit watering days per week April through September. During summer heat-waves our lawns are affected. The Board is investigating options for tasteful, landscaping alternatives to deal with this challenge. cherokeemetro.org The maintenance and replacement of your windows and window screens is responsibility of the Unit Owner. Missing or torn window screens are the responsibility of the Unit Owner. Any replacement window or screen must match the style, design, and color of the other windows for that building. Window AC units are not allowed; any fan must not protrude beyond the window screen. If you leave town and turn your heating system off, or down too low, the water pipes in your home WILL FREEZE and bust during sub-freezing temps. If you leave your garage door open for hours during sub-freezing weather, your pipes in the floor above the garage WILL FREEZE, and break, causing major water damage costing you thousands to repair beware! 6
See the Townhomes at Claremont Rules and Regulations for more complete information on Rules Rules and Restrictions Summary ANIMALS COMPLAINTS DECORATIONS FIREWORKS GARAGES PARKING OVERNIGHT PARKING PERMITS PORCHES QUIET HOURS RENTING LEASING SPEED LIMIT 10 SNOW REMOVAL UNIT REGISTRATION WEBSITE YARD SALE AND OPEN HOUSE Dogs must be accompanied and leashed at all times; clean up immediately after your dog; violators may be fined; HOA; no-more than 2 animals without prior authorization DOG PEE kills grass! Rinse the areas with a garden hose please Do NOT walk your dog in the same spot day-after-day rinse the area with a hose or picture of water. Owners will be held financially liable for grass repair/replacement cost incurred. Send complaints about noise, pets, property condition, vehicles or activity by email to Community Manager; Address complaints affecting safety or civil matters to the El Paso County Sherriff department. Decorations may be displayed 30 days prior to the holiday, and shall be removed within 14-days after the holiday Lighting of fireworks prohibited upon any lot or in the common area; residents should call EP County Sherriff s dispatch if you have concerns for safety Garages shall not be used for storage which prevents parking of a motor vehicle within, and shall not be converted for recreational use Vehicles parked in outdoor spaces between 12:00 AM and 7:00 AM must display a parking permit issued by the Association. The permit must be visible through the front windshield, i.e. displayed hanging on the review mirror. Vehicles that do not display a valid parking permit will be towed at the vehicle owner s expense, to include related storage costs. Security patrol is in-service random overnight hours; will tag-for-tow. Parking must be within your garage, leaving outdoor spaces for guests; HOA parking permit required for outdoor parking spaces from 12AM-7AM; see Parking Policy Porches may not be used for storage; porches must remain neat in appearance. Signs and flags are restricted; please see our rules and regulations for detail Quiet hours are 10:00 pm-7:00 am daily; stereo-base does reverb through walls more than you think; please be courteous and considerate with your neighbor Owners You must provide tenant with copy of the HOA Rules and Regulations, and submit a Unit Registration form with names of Tenants, including pet and vehicles info. You will be held responsible when tenants are breaking any rules. Please screen your tenants! Remember that tenants with large dogs generate maintenance issues for the grass, and cause more wear-and-tear to your home; rent wisely. You are better off to invest your time; get the right tenants, than deal with all the headaches. Throughout the community is 10 Miles Per Hour please go S L O W - watch for kids! Residents must clear their own walkways when snow accumulations are less than 2 inches; this includes tenants who are renting. Registration with the Association s Management Company is a mandatory annual requirement. Unit Registration form is available on the associations website. The website for the Townhomes at Claremont HOA is: http://tachoa.org All the Rules Governing documents, forms, and other information are available there. Yard sales and open house must be considerate of their neighbors, and remove signs and banners within 72-hours after the event 7
Management GOVERNANCE OF THE HOA MEETINGS INSURANCE UNIT REGISTRATION CHANGE OF ADDRESS WEBSITE Your home owners association (HOA) is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Board members are home owners. The Board contracts with a management company to conduct the daily business and rule enforcement of our community. The following documents govern our Association: Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions Articles of Incorporation Bylaws Rules and Regulations Annual Membership Meeting: We hold an annual meeting of the Association in October-November, time frame, usually in a meeting room in a nearby location. The purpose of the annual meeting is outlined in our bylaws. We usually invite a guest speaker from the community and include educational information for home owners. Board Meetings: Our Bylaws require Board of Directors to hold at least four meetings per year; home owners are welcome to attend. Meetings are normally on weeknights at our Management office, or local library. Contact our Community Manager for the time and location of next meeting. Bylaws Article VI HOA Blanket Insurance: The Board of Directors purchased a blanket policy to cover to cover hazards, storms fires etc. Each townhome is insured for replacement value by the Association s insurance policy. Claims against the Association s Insurance must be filed through the Association, not directly with the agent. For a copy of your insurance certificate, contact the HOA s Insurance provider. HO-6 Individual Owner Insurance: Individual Owners and renters must purchase their own HO-6 insurance. HO-6 Policy must be adequate for unit interior fixtures, personal belonging, personal liability and Loss Assessment (your share of the deductible of the HOA building policy) Owner shall maintain registration of their Unit with the Association s Management Company. Registration shall include Owner mailing address, Owner s authorized tenants, Owner s designated property management company (if applicable), vehicles, and pets associated with the Owner s Lot. The Association will make available a Unit Registration Form on its website to be used for this purpose. Report address and phone number changes to the Community Manager or by using the UNIT REGISTRATION FORM located at our website. Covenants Article VII The Townhomes at Claremont website address is: http://tachoa.org This website contains a copy of this guide and important information, and documents about our Association. 8
Financial Management BUDGET & BOOKKEEPING MONTHLY HOA DUES PAYMENTS DIRECT DEPOSIT ACH LATE FEES NON-PAYMENT The Board prepares a budget for the upcoming year, based on our expected expenses; the budget is what determines how-much your monthly assessments (also known as Dues) will be. We publish and mail the budget to each home owner in accordance with our Bylaws, Article VII and Covenants Warren Management company maintains our financial books and enforces timely collection of Dues. To contact the Association about your Dues, call our Community Manager or the accounting/bookkeeping department. Bylaws Article VII 1 (f) Every home owner is required by governing documents to pay their monthly Dues. Your Board is committed to keeping Dues reasonable while maintaining decent living standards Here is a summary of how your Association Dues are spent: Trash removal service Building Insurance Exterior building maintenance Roads and grounds maintenance Landscaping and lawn maintenance Security patrol, parking enforcement Reserves for replacements/emergencies Exterior watering and sprinkler system maintenance Snow removal over 2 inches on walks, over 4 inches on roads Financial Management, bookkeeping, record keeping; legal collection HOA Management, property inspections and Covenant enforcement Home owners receive payment coupons and envelopes each December. Call the Community Manager If you have not received your coupons. Payment of Dues must be by check, money order, or direct deposit, send payment to: Townhomes at Claremont HOA C/O: Warren Management Group PO BOX 98035, Phoenix AZ 85038. Payment address is also located at our website: www.tachoa.org Home owners are encouraged to use ACH auto-pay to pay Dues directly from your bank account. To do this, contact the HOA account manager to sign an ACH form, or visit our website Forms button. Warren Management Group (719) 685-7821 Payment is due by the first of each month with a 10-day grace period. A $20 late fee is assessed to payments received after the 10 th. After 30 days delinquent, interest charges apply. Townhomes at Claremont Collection Policy The Association takes legal action against home owners who are more than 3 months late in their Dues. Contact the Association before your dues become this late we have some latitude to work with you. This guide was prepared by your HOA Board of Directors if you have any feedback on how to make it better, please let us know. Contact Board members through our website or Community Manager. Tim Wilson, President Walter Snyder, Vice President Kessa Libby / Secretary-Treasurer 9