FAQs

HOA Questions

What is a HOA?

HOA is a Washington State non-profit corporation. It owns and is responsible for maintenance and repair of common areas in a subdivision. All homeowners in that subdivision are members of the HOA. Membership is automatic when you purchase a home.

Membership gives you the right and obligation to participate in the government of the HOA. After transitioning to homeowner control, you can get involved as a board member, committee member, or by voting.

All owners must follow the conditions in the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) for the community. All owners also must comply with the rules. Both the CC&Rs and the rules are available on this website.

Please go to the Documents page of this website to download a copy of the governing documents and rules.

Additionally, please keep in mind that the HOA is not a city and does not provide Police, Animal Control, or other Municipal Services. Please go to the Helpful Links page of this website to access these Municipal Services.

What are the benefits of living with a HOA?

Your Homeowners Association (HOA) maintains the common areas, preserves a consistent look throughout the community, and can enhance the sense of community. HOA may prevent your neighbors from making changes to their homes and using their property in ways that might negatively impact other homes.

Can homeowners participate in the HOA?

A Homeowners Association is the way by which homeowners may maintain the pleasant, desirable lifestyle envisioned when they purchased a home. After transition (the developer control period), HOAs are wholly directed by homeowners who volunteer to serve their community.

For more information about active committees in your community, please visit the Committees page.

How is HOA legally created?

All HOAs are created by Covenants or CC&Rs. They are recorded on the title to every piece of property in a community; therefore, they are legally binding upon the entire community. CC&Rs grant the HOA and the HOA Board legal authority and are the source of restrictions that apply to all members.

CC&Rs may be amended only by the Declarant or a supermajority of homeowners (the percentage required in the Covenants, but more than 50%).

Other governing documents include the Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation and Community Rules or Guidelines. The Community Rules are made by the Board of Directors and may change. They may not conflict with the CC&Rs but should add helpful guidance to homeowners.

How do I contact my HOA?

Contact Your Board of Directors or your Community Association Manager here.

What uses are restricted?

To preserve consistency and make living in your community more pleasant, the CC&Rs include a list of uses that are prohibited or restricted within the community. Examples of common use restrictions include limits on breeding animals, nuisances, and parking oversized vehicles.

Homeowner Control

Most Declarant-controlled HOAs also have use restrictions that—among other things—prohibit the following:

Rentals must be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors; a rental cap has been designated and hardship rental approval may be approved outside of the rental cap.
Businesses—homes are intended for residential use only–and garage sales
Signs
RV, trailer, and commercial vehicle parking
Removal or change of sidewalk planting strip grass and trees
Certain uses in common areas; for instance, fireworks and campfires are prohibited. Downed trees may not be removed from wooded areas. Parks may not be exclusively reserved
for personal use.

Helpful Info:

What do assessments cost and how do I pay them?

You can find all the current assessment and payment information on our Paying HOA Assessments page.

What do assessments cover?

Assessments (also referred to as “dues”) are each home’s share of the annual operating costs of the HOA. For example, assessments cover:

Maintenance and repair of common areas
Landscaping of common areas including parks and trails
Community Association Management fees
Insurance on the common areas
Water and electricity for the common areas
Contributions to long-term maintenance and replacement reserves
Legal and accounting fees
Committee budgeted expenses

In addition to assessments, all new home buyers pay an initial capital contribution of $500.00. This set-up fee is separate from advanced assessments (usually two months). Instead, it goes into the HOA operating account that pays start-up costs.

Neighborhood Questions

What are the Common Areas?

Homeowners have the right to use and enjoy the common areas owned by the HOA. Examples of common areas include parks, trails, mailboxes, detention ponds, play structures, sport courts, etc. In some communities, local jurisdictions or third parties may own certain common areas. Check the recorded plot map or call the community association manager to find out what your HOA owns.

What does the Community Association Manager do?

Coordinates and supervises maintenance activities, landscaping, repairs, snow removal, trash pickup in parks.
Advises the board of regulatory issues and compliance requirements, fair housing procedures, fair debt collection practices
Coordinates member/board communication: prepares newsletters, posts notice of meetings, arranges and facilitates social interactions.
Manages office operations: accounts payable and receivable, bookkeeping, filing.
Manages association finances: budgeting, collecting assessments, analyzing reserves, pursuing delinquencies.
Works with accountants and auditors to maintain the association’s financial viability.
Works with insurance companies to file or settle claims.
Works with state and regulatory agencies as an advocate for the association.
Carries out delegated officer duties: takes meeting minutes.
Prepares proposals and screens contractors.
Facilitates the PIC submittal and response process and keeps a record of all PIC applications and decisions for property improvements within your community.

Who do I contact to report a problem?

Quadrant Homes for Home Warranty issues

Call toll-free 800-338-8733 from 8am to 5pm, Monday-Friday
or 425-455-2900 for after-hours emergencies.

Community Association Manager

Contact your Community Association Manager HERE.

To submit a complaint about neighbors, landscaping or common area concerns
Questions about Property Improvement Applications
Billing Questions

Policy questions should be directed to the Community Association Manager

Board of Directors:

Contact your Board of Directors HERE.

City of Mount Vernon:

(360) 336-6211
Parking violations, speeding, streets, storm drains and ponds, etc.

City of Mount Vernon Animal Control:

(360) 336-6271
Roaming Animals

City of Mount Vernon Police/Fire Department: 911

PIC Questions

What is a PIC?

A PIC is a Property Improvement Committee.

The Property Improvement Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors to assist them in maintaining a uniform high aesthetic design standard for your Community. It is the PIC’s responsibility to review all applications for changes, additions or modifications to the exterior of any home.

The Board retains certain rights and discretions granted to it by the CC&Rs which it may delegate to the PIC.

For more information about the Roles & Responsibilities of the PIC, please visit the Property Improvement page which contains the PIC Handbook for your review.

Do I have to submit a PIC Application?

To get approval for any changes, you must submit a complete property improvement application to the HOA.

During the development phase, all property improvement applications are reviewed by an independent professional hired by your homeowner’s association. Your Community Association Management Company facilitates the submittal and response process and keeps a record of all applications and decisions for property improvements within your community.

For more information and to obtain a PIC Application, please visit the Property Improvements page.

How long does it take to approve my PIC?

You will receive a written response within thirty (30) days after your completed PIC Application and site plan are received by the Community Association Manager.

A written approval letter from the PIC is required before work can begin.

Website Questions

How do I login to the Residents Only section of the website?

Please be sure you have registered before logging in. We do verify that you are a homeowner in Skagit Highlands before approving.

If you are still having issues, please contact us HERE.