What are common areas and how do we use them?
In planned developments like ours, owners own their houses as well as the lots or parcel of land upon which their houses sit. Common elements or areas are usually defined as amenities or spaces available for use by all dues-paying homeowners. Our association’s common areas include items such as:
- Pool house
- Entrance elements include signage, landscaping, fences, etc.
- Fencing and walls around the perimeter of the development
- Walking trails
- Stormwater management ponds
- Streets that are not public streets, e.g., alleys, pipestems, Townhouse section
- Swimming pool
- Playgrounds or tot lots
- Utility lines and components that service the common areas, e.g., irrigation
Some homeowners pay for the maintenance and replacement of Limited-Use Common areas. This is a section of common area designated under for the exclusive use of a particular owner. These include alleys, pipestems, shared courtyard driveway entrance. These are usually located outside the boundaries of the owner’s unit or lot.
Impact on Maintenance Responsibilities
Areas or components that are “common areas” are the association’s responsibilities to maintain, repair, and replace. Funding for this is a shared expense across all homeowner assessments in the association.
Limited-use common area items are a shared expense for only the homeowners who benefit or have exclusive use of the limited-use comment area.
Common Area Use
Residents should use common areas responsibly and courteously. While common areas are for the appropriate use of all our residents, be mindful when a common area is adjacent to private lots. Residents and guests should be respectful of private property at all times. Avoid trespassing by not cutting through yards on the way to or from common areas.