FAQ’s

Question Answer
What is a ‘management company,’ what do they do, and how do I reach them? A management company is contracted by the Board of Directors (Trustees) to provide such services as: Collection of assessments, supervision of subcontractors, obtaining bids for subcontracted services, providing financial statements and collection reports, as well as a general clearing house for problem solving, communications with homeowners and the Board of Directors (Trustees) and to serve in an advisory capacity. The management company reports directly to the Board and all decisions are made by a majority vote of the Board of Directors (Trustees).

Cedarcrest Property Management can be reached via phone at 973-228-5477. We are available during normal Business Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm.

Emergency 24/7 via ext. 9
What is a homeowner’s association? It is a non-profit corporation registered with the State and managed by a duly elected Board of Directors (Trustees). Its purpose is to maintain all common areas and to govern the community in accordance with the provision of the legal documents: CC&R’s, Bylaws, and Articles of Incorporation. The governing legal documents for the association may be viewed online within the Documents page of a community’s website or on this site under the individual communities found on the Our Communities page. The corporation is financially supported by all members of the homeowners association. Membership is both automatic and mandatory.
What are the CC&R’S? The Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R’s) are the governing legal documents that set up the guidelines for the operation of the planned community as a non-profit corporation. The CC&R’s were recorded by the County recorder’s office of the County in which the property is located and are included in the title to your property. Failure to abide by the CC&R’s may result in a fine to a homeowner by the Association. The governing legal documents for the association may be viewed online within the Documents page.
What are the Bylaws? The Bylaws are the guidelines for the operation of the non-profit corporation. The Bylaws define the duties of the various offices of the Board of Directors (Trustees), the terms of the Directors (Trustees), the membership’s voting rights, required meetings and notices of meetings, and the principal office of the Association, as well as other specific items that are necessary to run the Association as a business. The Bylaws for the association may be viewed online within the Documents page.
What is the Board of Directors (Trustees)? The Homeowner’s Association is a corporation and therefore a governing body that is required to oversee its business. The Board of Directors (Trustees) is elected by the homeowners, or as otherwise specified in the bylaws. The limitation and restrictions of the powers of the Board of Directors (Trustees) is outlined in the Association governing documents.
What other rules apply? Most associations have developed Rules and Regulations as provided for in the CC&R’s and adopted by the Board of Directors (Trustees). Rules are established to provide direction to the homeowners for common courtesies with regard to parking, vehicles, pets and pool use hours, etc. In addition, your Association will adopt Architectural Guidelines with procedures for submitting requests to make exterior changes to your home. Such changes may include patio covers, decks, landscaping, exterior color changes or extensive interior changes and additions. These rules and guidelines are set up to maintain the aesthetic value and integrity of the community on behalf of all owners, and hopefully protect the market value of your investment as well. Violations of these rules may result in action by the Board of Directors (Trustees) and a fine. In addition, if you proceed with an exterior improvement or change, without written approval of the Board of Directors (Trustees), or appropriate committee, as applicable, you will be required to remove or correct the alteration and/or be fined for the violation.
If I am having a problem with a neighbor for a violation of the Policies and Guidelines, what can I do? If residents cannot resolve a situation between themselves, then turn to your Association. Should you have a situation that does not appear to be resolved through neighborly means, and you are willing to actively participate in the enforcement provided by the Policies and Guidelines, you should contact the management company. If the situation is deemed in violation of the Policies and Guidelines, the Board of Directors (Trustees) will institute the enforcement policy.
Are Board Meetings open to all residents?If so, where and when are they held? Yes they are invited to all open meetings. Notice of the time and place of any regular board meeting will be posted and homeowners will be notified.
What is my maintenance fee? A maintenance fee is a 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. Your maintenance fees can vary on when their due. Most properties are due on the first of the month, some by the 15th of the month. This will be listed on the agreement you sign.
How is the amount of my maintenance fee determined? Each community has a budget created annually with cooperation of the management company and Board of Directors (Trustees). This budget is set upon specific guidelines for utilities, landscaping, administration, etc. as well as prior year’s budgets. Reserve funds are monies set aside for future expenses due to the life expectancy of certain items: lighting, street resurfacing, pool equipment, etc. These amounts are then divided by the number of units built in a given phase of the development.
Will my maintenance fee go up? Yes, but not necessarily always. The Board of Directors (Trustees) may approve an increased budget, increasing your assessment up to this percentage in order to cover increased costs of operating and maintaining the common area and sufficient reserve funds.
What happens if I don’t pay my maintenance fee? The maintenance and management services incurred by the Association are dependent upon timely receipt of the assessments due from each homeowner. Late payments are distributed when we receive payment after 15 days of when the monthly assessment is due. In addition, the CC&R’s allows the Association to charge late charges and interest and proceed with a lien on your property, or foreclosure proceeding for nonpayment of assessments.