Following is a list for frequently asked questions that may benefit your ownership in Belmere.
1. What is a homeowner's association?
2. What is the Board of Directors?
3. Who are the current Board members?
4. What are the Documents of the Association?
5. Do I have to get an approval before I make any changes to the exterior of my home?
6. Are Board Meetings open to all residents? If so, where and when are they held?
7. If I want to serve on a committee, how do I find out what committees are active and how I can get involved?
8. What is my assessment?
9. What happens if I don't pay my assessment?
10. What happens if I don't make a covenant violation correction?
11. What is a "management company" and what does it do?
12. What are the hours of operation of the recreational facility?
13. How do I get a key to gain access to the pool and tennis courts?
14. Does the Association produce a newsletter?
15. What is the trash pickup schedule?
16. What are my responsibilities if I rent my house?
17. What schools will my child attend?
1. Q: What is a homeowner's association?
A:
A homeowners association is a non-profit corporation registered with
the State and managed by a duly elected Board of Directors. Its purpose
is to maintain all common areas and to govern the community in
accordance with the provision of the legal documents: Articles of
Incorporation, Declaration of Protective Covenants and Bylaws. The
governing legal documents for the Belmere Homeowners Association may be
viewed online within the Documents/Forms page. The corporation is
financially supported by all members of the homeowners association. When
you purchase a home within this community, you automatically become a
member of the homeowners association. Membership is mandatory and is
effective from the date you purchased your home. As a member of the
association, you are required to read and understand your
responsibilities as a homeowner and member of the association.
2. Q: What is the Board of Directors?
A:
The Homeowner’s Association is a corporation; therefore the Board of
Directors is required to oversee its business. The Board of Directors
are elected by the homeowners, or as otherwise specified in the bylaws.
The limitation and restrictions of the powers of the Board of Directors
is outlined in the Association governing documents found within the
Documents & forms page.
The
Board of Directors has three broad areas of responsibility: financial
management, day-to-day operation, and the administration of the
community governing documents. Some of the main duties they are
empowered to do may include, but are not limited to:
- Collect routine assessments
- Establish and/or maintain the rules and regulations for the association
- Contract for services to maintain the association including management, ground
maintenance, building maintenance, etc.
- Use and disburse association funds
- Enforce the governing documents including rules and regulations
- Elect officers for the association
- Ensure the association has adequate insurance
- Maintain reserves for future capital improvements
- Establish an architectural review committee
- Prepare the annual budget
3. Q: Who are the current Board members?
A: The current Board Members are:
Blanche Bolden - President
TBD - Vice President
Richard Montgomery - Secretary
Carlos Aceituno - Treasurer
Jim Garrison - Director
Roy Clovis - Director
4. Q: What are the Documents of the Association?
A:
The Articles of Incorporation, Declaration of Conditions, Covenants,
Easements and Restrictions for Belmere are the governing legal documents
that set up the guidelines for the operation of the community as a
non-profit corporation. The documents were recorded by the County
Recorder's office and are included in the title to your property.
Failure to abide by the documents may result in a legal action to a
homeowner brought by the Association. The governing legal documents for
the association may be viewed online within the Documents & Forms page.
5. Q: Do I have to get an approval before I make any changes to the outside of my home?
A:
There are Rules and Regulations provided for in the Covenants and
enforced by the Board of Directors that govern this aspect of
home-ownership within Belmere. Our Association has adopted Architectural
Guidelines with procedures for submitting requests to make exterior
changes to your home. Such changes may include landscaping, exterior
color changes, structural changes, fencing, sheds or other additions.
These rules and guidelines are set up to maintain the aesthetic value
and integrity of the community on behalf of all the owners, and to
protect the market value of your investment. Violations of these rules
may ultimately result in action by the Board of Directors. In addition,
if you proceed with an exterior improvement or change, without written
approval of the Architectural Review Committee, as applicable, you will
be required to remove or correct the alteration and/or it may be
corrected on your behalf. If it becomes necessary for the association to
make the correction for you, you will be made financially responsible
for the correction. The Architectural Review Committee guidelines for
the association may be viewed online within the Documents & Forms section
of this site. Please refer to that section before making any changes
and/or improvements to your home.
6. Q: Are Board Meetings open to all residents? If so, where and when are they held?
A:
Board meetings are open to all residents of the association. Notice of
the time and place of board meeting will be provided to homeowners and
will be published on this website. Signs are posted on the major
roadways of the community. Currently, the Board meeting are held the
third Tuesday of every month, holidays notwithstanding.
7. Q: If I want to serve on a committee, how do I find out what committees are active and how I can get involved?
A:
Volunteers are always welcome to assist with the running of the
Association. You may contact the committee chairperson of the committee
you are interested in serving on. Traditionally, chairpersons to
committees are appointed and committee members are selected by the
chairperson of each committee.
8. Q: What is my assessment?
A:
The assessment is the periodic amount due from each homeowner to cover
the operating expenses of the common area and provide for reserve funds
for replacement of common facilities in future years. These costs
include the landscape maintenance of all common areas, weekly pool
service, janitorial service, irrigation of the common areas, street
lighting and maintenance, lake management, security, property
management, pest control, etc. The current assessment is $132.00 per month
or $1584.00 annually for Belmere Village, and $79.00 per month or $948.00
annually for Whitney Isles.
9. Q: What happens if I don't pay my assessments?
A:
The maintenance and management of Belmere by the Association is
dependent upon timely receipt of the assessments due from each
homeowner. Assessments are due on the first day of the month. Late payments
may result in a late charge. In addition, the documents allow the
Association to charge interest and, if necessary, proceed with legal
action for nonpayment of assessments. The Association can refer your
account to the Associations attorney for collection if you fall behind.
If payment is not received a lien can be placed on your property. You
will also be charged for any legal fees associated with collection of
assessments. The documents, as well as the laws of the State of Florida
go so far as to allow the association to foreclose on the lien it placed
upon your home and take title of your property. If you are having
difficulties making your assessment payments please contact the Property
Manager before it becomes a problem.
10. Q: What happens if I do not make a covenant violation correction?
A:
Upon receipt of a notice from the property management company that you
are in violation of one of the protective covenants of the Association,
you have 30 days to correct the violation. You may contact the Property
Manager and request an extension for compliance. However there is no
guarantee that it will be granted. If you do not correct the violation
in the time specified it will be noted upon the next inspection of the
property performed by the property management company.
The
Association can take two paths to compel you to correct the violation.
The Board may vote to enter your property (refer to Article VIII Section
8.6 of the Declaration of Conditions that grant this authority), make
the correction and bill you for the cost associated with the work. This
now becomes part of your annual assessment. If you do not pay for the
cost of the correction, the Board can refer your account to the
Associations attorney for collection. If payment is not received a lien
can be placed on your property. You will also be charged for any legal
fees associated with the collection of this debt. The documents, as well
as the laws of the State of Florida go so far as to allow the
Association to foreclose on the lien it placed upon your home and take
title of your property.
11. Q: What is a "management company" and what does it do?
A:
A management company is a company who specializes in all of the
disciplines required to run a homeowners association. They are
contracted by the Board of Directors to provide services including
collection of assessments, supervision of subcontractors, obtaining bids
for subcontracted services, providing financial statements and
collection reports, perform periodic inspections of the entire
community, as well as, a general clearing house for problem solving. The
management company usually reports directly to the President on all day
to day operations of the Association and to the Treasurer on all
financial matters of the Association. The management company
communicates directly to all homeowners who contact it. The property
management company works on behalf of all of the members of the
association.
12. Q: What are the hours of operation of the recreational facility?
A:
The pool, tennis courts and basketball court are open from sunrise to
sunset seven days a week. It is recommended that the tot lot be
utilized during daylight hours only.
13. Q: How do I get a key to gain access to the pool and tennis courts?
A:
As part of our security protocol access to the clubhouse, pool area and
tennis courts are restricted to residents and their guests. Upon the
closing of your home you should have received a key that unlocks both
the clubhouse, pool area and tennis courts. If you are in need of a
replacement key you must contact the property management company and
make arrangements to obtain an additional key. There is a $25 charge to
cover the cost of the production of the key.
14. Q: Does the Association produce a newsletter?
A: Yes. Belmere currently produces a newsletter that is available on the website under HOA Newsletter.
15. Q: What is the trash pickup schedule?
A:
Regular trash is picked up every Tuesday. Landscape or organic material
is picked up on Wednesday. Regular trash, recycle materials, and bulk
pickup occurs every Friday. Trash should be put out the night before
regular scheduled pickup days. Trash cans should be put away by the end
of the pickup day.
16. Q: What are my responsibilities if I rent my house?
A:
If you rent your house the primary expectation is that you will still
be responsible for seeing that compliance with the covenants and by-laws
of the Association is maintained by your renters. Even though you will
not be dwelling in the house you are the owner and therefore responsible
for all aspects of that ownership.
17. What schools might my child attend?
A:
Your child may attend these local public schools: Lake Whitney
Elementary School, 1351 Windermere Rd., Winter Garden. Lake View Middle
School, 1200 W. Bay St., Winter Garden. West Orange High School, 1625
Beulah Rd., Winter Garden