Non-Real Estate FAQ about HRS:

1. Who lives in HRS?  The HOA does not conduct nor keeps  records or surveys about its residents by race, age, income, or any other statistical measure or barometer.  HRS has no age criterion for residency, unlike Heather Gardens. HRS welcomes all people to come join  its family.
2. Community Directory:  From time to time, the HOA directs publication of ownership by name, address, and contact information. Owners are not obligated to be acknowledged beyond what public records show, but they can expand such information if so desired to include telephone numbers, other addresses, email, etc.  The property management company is required to keep on hand detailed personal information concerning owners and residents in pursuit of its duties, but will not allow public access or publication of that information. 
3. Water system:  Aurora provides water and HRS pays for it as a part of your monthly fee.  Major water turn-off valves are located through-out our community, along with internal building and unit valves. In each building except patio homes, there is a master shut-off valve in the basement of one unit that shuts down the entire building.  Units with that valve are published in the Community Directory in order to effect emergency action.  Also, each unit has its own shut-off valve.  Residents should know the exact address of the building shut-off valve as well as the valve in their basement.  In an emergency, the HOA will enter a unit to close valves.
4. Water system for Patio homes: Their turn-off valves are located outside the units in the street.  Owners should know where their shut-off valves are located and how to access them in an emergency. 
5. Sewer System:  Aurora provides sewer services up to, but not internally to our community.  The HOA is responsible for sewer services from Aurora’s main line to each unit.  Each unit has an internal sewer-drain-plumbing system WHICH IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH UNIT OWNER. Once the unit sewer system leaves the unit, the sewer line under the unit and building is HOA responsibility.  The HOA has established a preventive maintenance program to roto-rooter ALL buildings.  Owners are encouraged to do the same for their internal system with chemicals or other recommended treatments. 
6. Scheduled Sewer Cleaning:  Once or twice yearly, the HOA directs that all common sewer lines under buildings be roto-rootered. To do this, plumbing personnel need to enter the unit of a building with clean-out openings for the main line.  These visits are scheduled with residents in advance of cleaning.  Also, the HOA has installed new exterior clean-outs to access lines to and from buildings.  It is estimated that 90% of all sewer blockages occur outside of units due to residents flushing paper or cloth products down commodes. 
7. Gas and Electrical systems:  Residents pay for their own public services.  Owners are responsible for their electrical system INCLUDING circuit breaker box mounted outside on each unit’s side. If owners replace an existing box, they are responsible for damage to the steel siding and covering any exposed under-board.  Written permission is required BEFORE work may start.
8. Rules and Regulations:  The HOA publishes its Rules and Regulations as needed.  Each owner and resident should have a copy and understand it thoroughly.  Failure to read and understand it will not excuse someone from liability should issues arise.  THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT DOCUMENT.  The Board’s policy is to deal with issues on a case-by-case basis with individuals. 
9. Mail Service:  HRS has common, centralized mail boxes.  These boxes are located at  eight  locations in the community, with a ninth location for large packages.  The mailbox stands are owned and externally maintained by the HOA, but the US Postal Service has exclusive rights to them under federal laws.  Each addressee is entitled to a mail slot and a key, but keys and locks  are an owner’s responsibility and cost, not the HOA’s. 
10. Parking: Residents are strongly encouraged to park their cars in their garage.  Parking outside of your garage in the limited-common driveway is permissible but not guaranteed due to parking restrictions such as Fire Lanes, adjacent garages needing access, and emergency equipment. Each garage is designed for two full-size personal vehicles.  Commercial vehicles are prohibited from parking on a regular basis in our common and limited common roadways areas.  Such vehicles must park on South Wheeling or Xanadu Way.  Commercial vehicle parking is discouraged. 
11. Skylights, patio covers, awnings, etc.  Again, any change to a unit’s exterior requires written permission BEFORE work may start.  The developer installed some skylights and patio covers during original construction.  Over the years, many owners have received permission to do the same.  Once an owner modifies a unit’s exterior, all subsequent owners are responsible for repairs, defects and replacement thereof.  The Board now requires a restrictive covenant agreement to be recorded for public record declaring any such modifications as notice to future owners. Retractable patio awnings are permitted on a case-by-case basis. 
12. Fencing:  Front courtyard fences, and specially designated community fences, are installed and maintained by the HOA.  Rear patio fencing is a private expense and obligation of an owner.  Written permission is usually given once plans and specifications are approved. Fencing material, design, height and color are strictly controlled to create a uniform community appearance.  Owners are encouraged to repair, remove or replace older fences.  Failure to do so could result in eventual condemnation of that fence, to be replaced at owner’s expense.
13. Interior concrete and patio problems:  All concrete walkways and patios, including front stoops, are the responsibility of owners to repair and replace UNLESS cause can be shown that such damage or decay was caused by external forces under HOA control and supervision.  An example  might be a community tree root growing under a front walkway.  If the root cracks AND heaves the walkway, the HOA will investigate and mitigate. 
14. Snow removal issues:  The policy now calls for two inches on the ground and four inches on roadways before snow plowing is ordered. 
15. Security Services:  At inception, HRS and sister communities under Heatherridge as developed by EDI, have provided security services.  This is a discretionary budget expense for HRS that is reviewed year-to-year.  As now performed, security operates 24/7 in cooperation with the Aurora Police Department. Duties of security involve monitoring the area for suspicious or unusual activity, closing down the pool during the summer season, responding to emergencies, investigating open doors (garages and units), and coordinating with other police and rescue services.
16. Is this your first experience in a covenant controlled condominium community?:  If you have always lived in single family housing, condo living will be different.  How different is subjective and depends upon many factors.  A neophyte to condo living needs to understand common vs. limited-common vs. air-space rights as defining by our Declaration and other instruments.  The space OUTSIDE of one’s unit is owned by ALL residents. Usage and access to exterior spaces, the ability to modify or reconstruct exterior areas, and other “normal” function commonly associated with single-family living are restricted under condo living. If you like to plant acres of corn, raise Gray wolves, or operate an auto repair center out of your home, condo living might not be for you.
17. Rental units in HRS:  There are no restrictions on rental units other than what owners are responsible for.  An owner, landlord, is responsible to inform and monitor tenants concerning their duties, obligations, and restrictions in our community.  Owners must report and inform property management (Westwind) about rentals, tenant information, and contact information for the owner and tenant.  The number of rental units in our community is important information critical to residents, lenders, insurance companies, and other public services.