WHAT IS HIGHLAND OAKS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.?
It is a non-profit corporation, registered with the Louisiana Secretary of State. The Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Association can be seen on the About HOA page on this web site. Subdivision homeowners are automatically members. The Association owns and manages the common areas in the subdivision and generally takes care of subdivision business. The Association gets its authority from the Subdivision Covenants, the Association’s Articles of Incorporation and its By-Laws.
WHO RUNS THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION?
The subdivision homeowners are automatically members of the Association. The members of the association elect a Board of Directors at the annual general membership meeting. The Board of Directors elects the Association officers and appoints committees.
WHO IS THE BOARD AND WHAT IS THEIR AGENDA?
The Board of Directors and Committees members are all volunteers who wish to support our community. The Board is responsible for operating the Homeowner's Association funds and principles. Our Board has developed and presented the following operating principals.
• Preserve and enhance Hightland Oaks community and lifestyle.• Enforce all covenants and restrictions. • Maintain all HOA common areas.• Collect all membership dues.• Operate Architectural Review & Compliance Committees.• Maintain a Capital Improvement Plan and Vision.• Ensure use of fiscally responsible contracts and services.• Operate in open and transparent Board.• Provide routine communications and regular meetings.• Represent HOHOA interests with local governmentsHOW MUCH ARE HOA DUES AND WHEN ARE THEY DUE?
The Homeowner Association dues are $75.00 per quarter. They are due on first of February, May, August and November. Bills are sent out about a month before they due date. If you pay the full year in February, you get $25.00 off the total.
ARE HOA DUES TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
Even though Highland Oaks Homeowners Association, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation, HOA dues are not deductable on your personal income tax return unless you are renting your Highland Oaks home to someone else.
WHAT HAPPENS IF DUES ARE NOT PAID?
The answer is found in Section 5.5 of the Subdivision Covenants and Restrictions that were set up by the developer. A copy was included in all of our closing packages and a copy is recorded in the Parish records. A copy is also on this web site on the About HOA page. The covenant states that a lien is placed on the home of the nonpaying homeowner pursuant to a Louisiana statute, LA RS 9:1145. Here is a copy of the law.
LA RS 9:1145 Association of owners; privilege; definition
Upon the filing of a sworn detailed statement in accordance with this Part, an association of owners of lots in a residential or commercial subdivision shall have a privilege upon the lot and improvements thereon of an owner in the subdivision who fails to pay charges, expenses or dues imposed upon such lot and improvements thereon in accordance with recorded restrictions, servitudes, or obligations affecting such subdivision. An association of owners refers to a nonprofit corporation, partnership, association, or other legal entity whose members are owners of lots in the subdivision, and which maintains certain portions of the land or improvements in such subdivision for the use and benefit of the owners of lots in such subdivision. The privilege shall secure unpaid charges, expenses or dues imposed by the association of owners, together with legal interest from the date due and reasonable attorney's fees.
Added by Acts 1979, No. 583, §1.
We all hope that everyone will pay their dues as they come due. After all, the funds go for the maintenance and improvement of the common areas, such as the entrances and front fence and for support of the subdivision in general. If you are concerned that someone may enjoy the subdivision without paying their fair share, don’t worry. With the lien provision provided by the law and the subdivision covenants, everyone will pay their fair share in the long run.
WHAT ARE SUBDIVISION COVENANTS?
Louisiana law allows the owner of a piece of land to establish rules or restrictions that bind every subsequent owner of that piece of land to the end of time. The rules or restrictions are said to run with the land. For example, a homeowner can establish a rule or restriction that says that no building on that piece of property can be painted in pink polka dots on a blue background. The person who buys the property from that owner is bound by that restriction, as are every other purchaser of the property thereafter.
Such rules or restrictions can be written into the sale documents by which the person who establishes the rule or restrictions sells the property. Rules and restrictions for subdivisions are typically created in a document called Covenants, or some variation of that term. The document must be recorded in the property records of the Parish in which the property is located.
WHAT IF I HAVE A COMPLAINT?
If you have a complaint regarding another subdivision homeowner, the management of the homeowners association or any other manner, post your complaint on the Complaint page on this web site. Your complaint will be brought before the Board of Directors at its next meeting. The Board typically meets once a month, although it will meet more or less often as needed.
CAN I SUBMIT AN ANONYMOUS COMPLAINT?
No. Complaints should be submitted on the Complaints page of this web site. The Board will only review a complaint if the person submitting it identifies himself and his address. If a complaint results in a letter, email or phone call to the offending homeowner, the person who made the complaint will not be identified. However, that does not mean that the identity of the complaining homeowner is protected. Minutes of Board meetings are part of the corporate records of the Association and are available to any member.
CAN I MAKE A SUGGESTION TO THE ASSOCIATION BOARD OR OFFICERS?
Absolutely! Suggestions are appreciated. Click the EVENTS Tab at the top to submit suggestions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Highland Oaks Homeowners Association
P.O. Box 796
Saint Rose, Louisiana 70087
Highland Oaks Homeowners Association, Inc., P.O. Box 796, Saint Rose, LA 70087
