What is a Community Association?
What are Deed Restrictions and why do we have them?
May I make Improvements to my Property?
What can the association do to correct a violation of the Deed restrictions?
How much are my homeowner assessments and when are they due?
Why do I pay a trash fee along with my assessments?
What happens if someone doesn't pay the homeowners assessment?
What if I have a question regarding my charges?
Does my mortgage company pay my assessments?
What can I do to help my association?

What is a Community Association?

It is a mandatory, non-stock, nonprofit corporation. The purpose of your association is the preservation of economic value within your neighborhood through architectural controls and deed restrictions. In addition, your association provides quality of life services that may include recreational activities, social programming, and maintenance of the common areas. A Board of Directors, elected by you and other owners, operating under the legal documents, which established the association, governs your Association. In order to meet its required duties, your Association is empowered to enforce the provisions of the community documents, as well as collect necessary fees and assessments to sustain services.

What are Deed Restrictions and why do we have them?

Deed restrictions are important rules governing your responsibilities as a member of your Association. They are also created to protect your rights as a homeowner. The architectural controls are not established to stifle creativity, but rather to assure that integrity of the original community design is preserved. Most homeowners move into a community because they approve of its architectural style and general appearance. Deed Restrictions help ensure your community will always remain as nice as the day you moved there. You should have been furnished with a copy of the Declaration (which contains all restrictions) before or during the closing of your home.

May I make Improvements to my Property?

Yes, in general you may do whatever you desire to the interior of your home. For exterior changes to your home (depending on the nature of the change or addition) the Association usually has one or more committees charged with approval responsibility. This will usually involve submitting a modification request to the approving association entity (Architectural Control Committee). This approval assures not only the beauty of your home, but also consistency within the community. All modification and new construction forms are available from your community association office and on this website under Steiner Documents.  All applications should be submitted by 5:00pm on Thursdays to be considered for review the following week, however the Committee does have up to 30 days to review the complete application.  If you wish to discuss your application with or get feedback from a staff member, you must submit your application during office hours on Wednesdays (1:00-5:00pm).  Please contact the office at 266-7553 if you have any questions about the approval process.

What can the association do to correct a violation of the Deed restrictions?

Enforcement remedies are granted to the Association by the governing documents and each Board of Directors adopts an enforcement policy containing specific courses of action. Generally, violations are sited during routinely scheduled property inspections. Based upon a policy established by your Board of Directors, violation notices are sent to residents of the violation dwelling asking their cooperation in correcting the problem. If the violation is not corrected within the time frame specified, the Association may hire someone to correct the violation and charge the property owner with the costs to cure or the Association may hire an attorney and file suit against the owner.

How much are my homeowner assessments and when are they due?

The homeowner assessments are set by the Board of Directors based on operating history, an evaluation of the needs of the community, and funding of adequate reserves. The SRMA and SRROA 2008 assessment is $530.00 and the 2008 trash service fee is $140.00.  Assessments and trash service fees are paid semi-annually and are due January 1 st and July 1st each year (if you do not receive a statement by the 1 st of January or July contact the association office at 266-7553). Late charges begin on February 1st and August 1 st.

Why do I pay a trash fee along with my assessments?

Your trash fee is paid along with your assessments because a single waste disposal company, IESI, currently has a contract with the Steiner Ranch Community Associations to service all areas of Steiner Ranch. Residents receive a significant group discount from IESI since IESI can collect trash and recycling from a large area in a single day for one account. There are several advantages to this system:

• Trash cans are left at the curb for a single day (Thursday)
• Wear-and-tear on the roads is minimized by having only one heavy collection truck per week passing over the streets
• Because the cost of trash and recycling collection is incorporated into the semi-annual assessments, homeowners have fewer bills to pay
• New homeowners do not have to pay set-up fees for trash and recycling collection
• Homeowners Association will contact IESI for residents to clear up collection difficulties
• Both trash and recycling are collected on the same day

 See the FACT SHEET for additional information.

What happens if someone doesn't pay the homeowners assessment?

Assessments are the lifeblood of your Association and as such, are secured by a lien on each lot and/or home. If not paid, they are subject to interest, late fees, and collection fees and ultimately may be foreclosed upon by the Association. If the Association must spend its time and money to collect your assessment, it will harm the Association and eventually all other owners.

What if I have a question regarding my charges?

It is best to address your concerns with the staff at the Community Association Office. If you have supporting documentation, canceled checks, etc., we ask that you provide copies with your questions. We attempt to be 100% accurate in our invoicing. However, if you have an error, we want to research and correct it as soon as possible.

Does my mortgage company pay my assessments?

Most mortgage companies no longer escrow for homeowners association assessments. Do not assume that they do. Before sending your statement to them, call and verify if they escrow for your assessment. It is your responsibility to make sure assessments are paid timely.

What can I do to help my association?

Our goal is to use the Association to build a Community. Community building requires active participation and involvement. Become involved, volunteer to serve on the Board (if applicable) or committees, or lend your talent where it will be most useful.