FAQ: Property Management Change

While the Board is super excited to announce our transition to  Metropolitan, we understand our Homeowners may have questions. Below are a few of the common questions we've already received. If you have questions that are not answered here, please reach out to us from the forum at the bottom of the page. As always, we are more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

Why the change to Metropolitan?

On February 28, 2021, the contract with Timmons was expiring. As a result, the Board spent the last seven months researching different property managers to ensure we were getting the best service and expertise needed to effectively and efficiently maintain our community. After countless hours of research and multiple interviews with different companies, the Board found Metropolitan to be the best fit for our community. While there are many reasons for this decision, some of the most prominent for choosing Metropolitan are as follows:

• Metropolitan charges a flat monthly management fee - there are no extra (or surprise) monthly fees.
• Metropolitan does not require a multi-year agreement.
• Metropolitan provides responses to homeowners within 24 hours. We have received numerous complaints from our community every year about not receiving responses from representatives across our current management company.
• Metropolitan has a website ("Portal") where homeowners can submit and track maintenance requests, find our community By-laws, declarations, financial documents, sign-up for email communications, and more!
• Metropolitan will be onsite more often to ensure the grounds are being properly maintained.
• Metropolitan provides more industry expertise to ensure the proper number of bids are collected, references are in place, and that comparisons are made to ensure our community hires the best vendors at the best price.
• Metropolitan analyzes expenses to identify cost savings and/or improve services provided to our community.

Should there have been a vote?

No, a community wide vote is not required to change management companies. Under our By-laws, Article III (C) § 18 "The Board of Directors may employ for the Association a professional management agent..." This is one of the powers vested in the Board under the By-laws, Article III (C). Please refer to the Governing Documents for specifics or click here for a broad overview of the Board.

Why wasn't I notified earlier?

The community was notified soon after the formal decision to switch property managers was concluded. Generally, switching from one vendor to another doesn't disrupt or require action from the homeowners (for instance, switching from Lawn Company A to Lawn Company B). Because switching property managers does require some action from homeowners, as soon as the decision was made, the Board sent out correspondences specifically addressing the change. However, until the decision was finalized, there was no foreseen need to notify on the chance that the Timmons contract renewed and no changes occurred.

Does this change our By-Laws and Governing Documents?

No. Changing from one property manager to another has no impact on our overall governing documents. Think of the property manager as a vendor for the community - they are employed to help better our community and make it succeed. Changes to the actual Governing Documents for our community are ruled by the By-laws, Article VI, § 5 and the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions ("CC&Rs"), Article XIII, § 2. Both of these have provisions requiring a majority vote of the community of at least sixty-seven (67%) percent.

Is the website a part of this change?

No, the creation of a community website was established back in the beginning of 2020. One of the initiatives the Board has been working fervently towards is communication and transparency with the Homeowners. The website was created to better allow access to our Governing Documents, newsletters, and changes happening within the community. Additionally, it helped create a direct line for the community to be involved and reach out to the Board with any questions, concerns, or requests.

Will this cause an increase in HOA dues?

No. Fees were increased on January 1, 2021. Fee increases and frequencies are set out by our Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions ("CC&Rs"), specifically in Article X, § 2. For more information on HOA assessments, please see refer to the CC&Rs of the Governing Documents or click here.