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FAQs
GENERAL QUESTIONS
5. Why do I have to pay Assessment Fees? All owners are required to pay Assessment Fees by the governing documents of their Association. These Assessment Fees fund operation and maintenance of the common property and are used to provide services for the benefit of all owners. You can see how your Association’s funds are spent by consulting the annual budget, which is mailed out each year to all homeowners. The budget is also available in the website’s Homeowners section. 6. What is the "common area"? The "common area" is the land that is for the use and enjoyment of the members of the Association. This includes facilities like pools, clubhouses and playgrounds, and other areas such as landscaped areas, streets, street lights, signage, and gates. 7. What is a "Master Association"? "Master-planned communities" are often comprised of several distinct HOAs. In such cases the Master Association is the "umbrella" organization that provides services that are common to all of the individual Associations, such as contracts for community patrol, trash collection, common landscape maintenance, etc. 8. How do I pay my Association Assessment Fees? Owners can pay their Assessment Fees via the following methods:
9. To whom do I make my check payable? Your check should be made payable to your Association (e.g.: "XYZ HOA or XYZ Owners' Association"). If you are paying both Master and Sub-Association assessments, you must write separate checks for each, as Nevada state law does not allow co-mingling of funds. 10. If I own more than one property, can I use one check to pay both Assessment Fees? No. The bank cannot accept two coupons against one check; each check requires its own coupon. If you own more than one property, each property must have an individual check accompanied by its individual coupon. Separate checks are required so that the bank can apply the monies correctly to each account. 11. What do the Association Assessment Fees cover? Association Assessment Fees pay for the maintenance, repair and administration of the common areas and facilities of the Association. These can include such recreational amenities as pools, clubhouses, tennis courts, and equipment. They also provide for landscaped common areas, parks, private streets and street lights, signage, and gates. Assessment Fees provide for improvements desired by the Association and for services to homeowners. Every HOA mails an Annual Budget to the members to show specifically how funds are budgeted. You can view your HOA’s budget in the website’s Homeowners section. 12. What if I want to use an online banking service? If you use an online banking service (which means a coupon does not accompany your check), then checks must clearly indicate your account number and the legal owner name of record for the bank to process the payment. Again, without this information, your payment can not be processed properly, resulting in a possible late charge. 13. What steps do I need to follow if I want a family member or property management company to call and find out information about my account? Your request must be in writing and signed by the owner of the property. Please list the individuals who have permission to act on your behalf. You can e-mail, fax, or send it via regular mail to the attention of the Accounting Department. 14. When will I Receive a Statement? Most HOA members received payment coupons at the beginning of the year. Statements are only mailed if your Assessment Fee is due Semi-Annually or Annually, or if your account becomes delinquent. Otherwise, homeowners should remember to make payments with the appropriate coupon by the quarterly or monthly due date. 15. What if I don't have a payment coupon to pay my Assessment Fee? If you need to submit a payment and you do not have a payment coupon, payments can be mailed directly to the Association's bank. Checks must clearly indicate your account number and the legal owner name of record in order to be processed. If the bank can not easily detect this information, your payment will be forwarded to the Association to process. This takes additional mail time, which could result in a late charge to your account. 16. What do I do if I have not received my statement? If you have not received your Semi-Annual or Annual statement, you may send your payment directly to the Association’s bank. Checks must clearly indicate your account number and the legal owner name of record in order to be processed. You may also contact Thoroughbred Management to receive a copy of your statement. 17. What are the Governing Documents? The "Governing Documents" for your Association are the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R's), plus any Rules and Regulations, Resolutions, or guidelines (such as architectural) that have been established by your Association. 18. Where can I get a copy of the Governing Documents? You should have received a copy at, or prior to, the closing on your home and in your Welcoming Packet. If you need another set, they are available in the website’s Homeowners section, or through Thoroughbred Management, Inc. 19. I’d like to start external projects on my home, such as installing desert landscaping, building a shed, etc. Are there any requirements/guidelines? Any exterior modifications or additions to your home or any structural changes must have prior written approval from your Architectural Review Committee. If your HOA has Architectural Guidelines, they can be viewed in the website’s Homeowners section. Please note that you should not schedule any construction work or purchase any equipment until written approval has been received. 20. Where can I obtain a copy of the Architectural Submittal Form? You can obtain this form in the website’s Homeowners section or by contacting Thoroughbred Management. 21. How long does it take for an Architectural Form to be processed after it has been submitted? It can take the Board or Committee anywhere from 15 to 60 days upon receipt of a properly filled out form. It depends upon the governing documents for your community, the complexity of the request, and how often the volunteer Committee or Board meets. 22. How does Thoroughbred Management, the management company, handle complaints? Complaints should be submitted in writing to Thoroughbred Management. Please be sure that your complaint has the name of the Association, states the problem clearly, identifies the offending homeowner, and includes the date(s) of the offense(s). All complaints are kept in the strictest confidence. 23. How do I dispute a fine? Place your concerns in writing and send your request to your community manager and he/she will forward it to the Board of Directors for review. You will receive a response within 10-14 days after the board reaches a decision, which is accomplished in a monthly or quarterly Executive Session Board Meeting. 24. How do I request a hearing in front of the Board of Directors? Mail or E-mail your request in writing and Thoroughbred Management will submit your request to the Board; you will be scheduled and will receive notice of the date, time and place of your hearing, which is normally at the next Board meeting. You will have the opportunity to speak privately with the Board during your scheduled hearing time. 25. What is an Ombudsman for Owners in Common-Interest Communities and Condominium Hotels? The Ombudsman for Owners in Common-Interest Communities and Condominium Hotels is an office within the Nevada Real Estate Division. It assists in processing claims submitted to mediation or arbitration, it assists owners in common-interest communities to understand their rights and responsibilities, it assists board members to carry out their duties and it compiles and maintains a registration of each association. 26. What does the Association's insurance cover? The Association's insurance includes property and casualty policies for all common area property and equipment. It does not cover homes. 27. Why can’t I get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of my Board of Directors? Don’t they work for me? Your Board of Directors makes decisions for your Association; however, they volunteer for these positions and receive no money for the jobs that they perform. Thoroughbred Management represents the Board and your Association, which entails being a contact for all communications addressed to the Board. We can pass along a request from a homeowner asking that a Board member contact them. 28. How do I change my mailing address? Your change of address must be in writing and signed by the owner of the property. You can E-mail, fax, or send it via regular mail to Thoroughbred Management. 29. How can I obtain a gate key, gate card, remote or pool key? Who do I contact if I want to update my personal/gate information? Mail or E-mail your request in writing, or call Thoroughbred Management. A form may need to be completed, and you will be advised of the procedure for your community. 30. Can I use my cell phone for the gate? Most directories can use cell phones. Long distance numbers are not compatible with most of the systems. 31. I have sold my home and am still receiving statements or letters. Why? Generally, when selling your home, it is a good idea to inform the title company that you are part of a Homeowners Association and give them our name and address. If you are still receiving statements or letters, this is an indicator that we have not received the information necessary to change your account information to the new owner. We get this information from the Title Company. Please contact Thoroughbred Management if it has been over one month since you have sold your home and you are receiving statements or letters. |
