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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>I
agree that the issue needs to be addressed. Kimberly and I have an “Invisible
Fence” that keeps out pets in our yard, and I would never even think
about taking them to the pool.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The
board can institute a rule that states, as recommended, “No pets in the Common
Areas.” Unfortunately, that will not fix the problem. This is
one example of the issue with the current governing documents, and why it is
important that they get updated, and we have a 2/3rds affirmative vote to
accept them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>It
is my understanding in talking with the HOA attorneys, that the board can
suspend the rights of any member for such period it considers appropriate
for any infraction of its published rules and regulations. (Article 4, Section
2(d) of the covenants).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The
problem comes in with Article 7, Section 20 – Enforcement; which
basically says that to enforce the covenants, it will be by proceedings at law
or in equity. Simply stated, that means the only enforcement vehicle is
to bring a lawsuit against the offender. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Bartow
County Sheriff’s department made it very clear that they had very little
authority to enforce anything in the common areas, as it is private property,
with the exception of criminal behavior. So that is not of much help
either.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Currently,
we can’t fine a violator of the rules, we can’t place a Lien on
their property, and the Sherriff is not going to help. We can bring a
lawsuit – and that gets expensive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Under
the Property Owners Act, which is going to be a large part of the restated
governing documents that we will all have the opportunity to vote on, this
situation will change. See sections 3 and 4 below:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The Georgia
Property Owners’ Association Act (“POA”) was adopted in 1994
to expand the powers of homeowners associations . The POA does not, however,
apply automatically. Instead, the developer of a community or the members of a
community’s homeowners association must “opt in” to be
governed by the POA. The “opt in” process generally takes place
either by the developer when the developer initially creates the declaration of
covenants for the community, or by the members of the homeowners association
through an amendment to the declaration. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Unfortunately,
developers of most communities do not submit their communities’ covenants
to the POA. Thus, it is usually after the developer finishes development of a
community, or is close to finishing, that the members of the homeowners
association are able to submit the community to the POA. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>While many
homeowner associations have already submitted to the POA, many still have not.
We strongly encourage communities to do so. The process is relatively simple
and inexpensive but the benefits are great. To submit to the POA, the
association must follow the specific amendment process set forth in its
declaration of covenants. For example, if the declaration states that the
amendments require approval of two-thirds of the association members, then
approval of such two-thirds would be needed to submit to the POA. Some of the
benefits of the POA include the following:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>1. Automatic
Statutory Liens<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>After submitting to
the POA, the association will no longer be required to file liens at the county
courthouse for unpaid assessments or other charges. Instead, the POA creates an
automatic statutory lien against a delinquent owner’s lot for any sums
owed to the association. The POA provides that the declaration of covenants
itself serves as notice that there is a lien on every lot in the community for
any unpaid assessment or other charges. As a result, closing attorneys, title
examiners, purchasers or owners must contact the association for a statement of
any amounts owed to the association prior to concluding a sale or refinance of
the lot, or risk the existence of a lien. If the association is not paid out of
the proceeds of the sale or refinance, the lien continues against the lot and
will generally have priority over subsequent liens and mortgages.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>An additional
tremendous benefit of the POA’s automatic lien is that it protects the
association even if the association’s records have incorrect or
misspelled owner names. Recorded liens are only effective if filed under the
correct owner names. If the association’s records have an owner’s
name misspelled the recorded lien may be ineffective. The POA makes the lien
effective, even if you have incorrect or no information about an owner.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>2. Buyers and
Sellers are Jointly and Severally Liable to Pay Assessments<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The POA includes
another provision that generally strengthens an association’s assessment
collection powers. The POA makes buyers and sellers jointly and severally
liable for all unpaid assessments. This means that, if the automatic statutory
lien is not paid at the closing, the association can proceed against the new
owner, who will be personally liable for all amounts owed prior to the closing.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>3. Tenants are
Obligated to Comply With Association Regulations<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The POA also
clarifies that all owners and tenants must comply with all the provisions of
the declaration of covenants and the association’s rules and regulations.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>4. Fines and
Suspension of Privileges<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The POA gives the
association a statutory power to assess fines against violators and to suspend the
common area use rights of violators, if specified in the declaration. Fines
constitute a lien against the violator’s lot, and the ability to fine
significantly strengthens the association’s powers to enforce the
covenants and the rules and regulations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>5. Late Fees and
Interest<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Submission to the
POA allows the association to charge a late fee of the greater of $10.00 or ten
percent (10%) of the amount due, and interest at a rate of ten percent (10%)
per annum on unpaid assessments and charges, if specified in the declaration. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>6. Recovery of
Attorney’s Fees from Owners<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The POA authorizes
the recovery of the association’s costs of collection of the delinquent
assessments, including reasonable attorney’s fees actually incurred. This
provision is extremely helpful with judges who otherwise are reluctant to grant
the association is attorneys fees, when it sues delinquent or violating owners.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>7. Protection
of Homeowners from Liability<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>A tort action
alleging or founded upon negligence or willful misconduct by any agent or
employee of the association or in connection with the conditions of any portion
of the instrument which the association has the responsibility to maintain
shall be brought against the association. No lot owner shall be precluded from
bringing such an action by virtue of his membership in the association. A
judgment against the association arising from a tort action shall be a lien
against the assets of the association.</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Perpetual Duration<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Prior to 1993,
Georgia law at Code Section 44-5-60(d)(1) generally provided that covenants
expire after twenty years. That statute was amended in 1993 to permit covenants
to automatically renew, but the Georgia courts have held that covenants in
communities that were recorded prior to 1994 do not receive the benefit of the
new 1994 law. One of the extremely important benefits of the POA is that it has
a provision that states Code Section 44-5-60(d)(1) shall not apply to any
covenants contained in any instrument submitted to the POA. That means that if
a community's covenants were recorded prior to 1994, submission to the POA now
will eliminate the possibility that the covenants will expire after twenty
years. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Please,
take a few minutes to look this over. I believe it is imperative to the
continued wellbeing of our neighborhood and will go a long way in allowing the
board to protect all of our property values.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Roger
Hackler<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>
nhhoa-bounces@nhhoa.org [mailto:nhhoa-bounces@nhhoa.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Mel
& Ginger Parish<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Saturday, May 24, 2008 10:08 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'North Hampton Homeowners Association'<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Nhhoa] Commons Area<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Don’t the streets belong to the county? If so, they
wouldn’t be considered ‘common areas’. They are public.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>
nhhoa-bounces@nhhoa.org [mailto:nhhoa-bounces@nhhoa.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>susanstaylor@bellsouth.net<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Saturday, May 24, 2008 9:18 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> North Hampton Homeowners Association<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Nhhoa] Commons Area<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Do the common areas include the streets? If so, this rule
cannot be applied since pretty much everybody with a dog is going to walk said
dog.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #1010FF 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>-------------- Original message
from cdhan@bellsouth.net: -------------- <br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>I believe the original rule was "No pets in common
areas." which would cover all problems. Currently the only posted rule
regarding pets is on the tennis court. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #1010FF 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt;
margin-left:3.75pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal>-------------- Original message from treasurer@nhhoa.org:
-------------- <br>
<br>
<br>
> How would you have the rule read? <br>
> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T <br>
> <br>
> -----Original Message----- <br>
> From: cdhan@bellsouth.net <br>
> <br>
> Date: Fri, 23 May 2008 21:13:15 <br>
> To:North Hampton Homeowners Association , nhhoa@nhhoa.org <br>
> Subject: Re: [Nhhoa] Commons Area <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> _______________________________________________ <br>
> NHHOA mailing list <br>
> NHHOA@nhhoa.org <br>
> http://mail.nhhoa.org/mailman/listinfo/nhhoa_nhhoa.org <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> _______________________________________________ <br>
> NHHOA mailing list <br>
> NHHOA@nhhoa.org <br>
> http://mail.nhhoa.org/mailman/listinfo/nhhoa_nhhoa.org <o:p></o:p></p>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
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