Request for Parking Decal
Receipt of Rules and Regulations
Updated 3/2009
WELCOME TO DEERWOOD KNOLL
PREFACE
Condo living and ownership is different from living in a house. You are free to make changes to the interior of your unit as long as it does not affect the structural integrity of the outside of the building. However, once you step outside of those walls, there are some restrictions. That is the purpose of the rules and regulations.
AUTHORITY is granted in the Master Deed to the Board of Directors to develop and enforce these Rules and Regulations, and empowers them to enforce them as needed through financial penalties. The Deerwood Knoll Board of Directors reserves the right to add, delete, or modify this document at any time.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Board realizes that most residents desire to routinely observe the Rules and Regulations; however, to ensure their understanding, it is necessary to clearly identify and communicate Association policy. We ask that all residents, guests, and visitors use common sense, respect, courtesy, and cooperation to make DK a safe and friendly community.
The Rules and Regulations are binding on all owners, residents, their families, and guests. The Board’s goal is to maintain the property as a first-class Association and provide residents with specific information that will be reviewed on an ongoing basis by the Board of Directors. The Board is not a police department and requires the cooperation of all the members of the Association.
All members of DKHOA should have a copy of the Master Deed, the By-Laws, and the Rules and Regulations. If you do not have a copy of any of these, you may obtain a copy from the management company (there is a charge for the Master Deed and By-Laws). All of us should be able to comply with these rules and restrictions, which are written for the common good and enjoyment of all owners and tenants. We hope that you will take the time to familiarize yourself. It is the intent of your Board of Directors to comply fully with these regulations. Below is a short list of those we feel are most important and require your immediate attention.
The Board of Directors is authorized to adopt rules regarding use of the premises and is empowered to enforce them as needed through financial penalties or suspensions against those who disregard the bylaws and rules. Every effort is being made to preserve the integrity of the property for every homeowner.
GENERAL RULES (See below for complete narrative)
All units are to be occupied and used for residential use only.
Owners shall keep emergency contact information current with the management.
Owners are obligated to apprise the management company of tenant information.
Proof of current insurance must be on file with the management office.
No solicitation on the DK property.
Regime fees are due on the first of the month.
No signs allowed on property except special circumstances.
Hazardous/flammable materials are not to be stored in any unit.
All units must have working smoke detectors
No open flame type gas/charcoal grill may be used within 10 feet of any building.
No cigarette, cigar butts, beer cans or trash is to be disposed of in the streets, common areas, or the pool area.
No parking/driving on sidewalks or grass
No skateboarding or rollerblading in parking lot
No fireworks allowed on the property.
Common areas cannot be altered in any way.
Chimneys should be cleaned/inspected every 3 years to avoid a fire hazard.
Obnoxious/offensive activity of any kind that is a nuisance to others is prohibited; Quiet hours are 10pm-7am Sunday through Thursday, and 11pm to 7am on Friday and Saturday.
Pets are not allowed to run loose on the property and you must scoop the poop!
All resident vehicles must have a parking sticker.
No yard sales are permitted. The board may authorize periodic yard sales for the entire community, if desired.
Residents are expected to keep patios/decks clean and free of refuse and debris.
The speed limit in the parking lot of DK is 15 miles per hour. Please observe it!
The swimming pool is for the exclusive use of owners, renters, and guests not to exceed 4 persons per unit. Pool tags are required. Please familiarize yourself with the complete Pool Rules and Regulations.
Nothing is to be thrown from balconies; i.e., trash, dead flowers, etc.
No clothing or household articles may be hung around the patio or over balcony railings.
Holiday decorations must be removed from balconies within 30 days of holiday.
ALTERATIONS/ADDITIONS
No alterations or additions may be made to any of the common areas. No additions or remodeling of any deck are allowed. No change in the color, paint, or stain of any exterior structure can be made. This includes changing the color of the exterior door(s) of individual units.
Exterior television or radio antennas are prohibited. Satellite dishes measuring no more than 18 inches in diameter are permitted but may not be attached to the roof or outside wall of the condominium and must be located as inconspicuously as possible.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Each director is elected by a majority vote of a quorum of the HOA for a term of three years. Names/numbers/emails of directors are always available on the website.
COMMON/LIMITED COMMON ELEMENTS
In additional to individual units, Deerwood Knoll has two other kinds of property: Common Elements and Limited Common Elements. Both are defined in the Master Deed of the Deerwood Knoll Horizontal Property Regime. For convenience, the definitions are listed below.
Common Elements – Common Elements consist of all land and improvements, excluding the Units…including, but not limited to, the Land, parking areas, driveways, pathways, fences, exterior walls, roofs, foundations, columns, girders, beams, supports, main walls, staircases, installations of central services such as electricity, water, sewage, telephone and television wiring and electrical wiring and conduits, storage areas, swimming pool and all other areas and elements of the Property in common use. It shall also include all property and furnishings within the Common Elements.
Limited Common Elements - Limited Common Elements consist of any porches, decks/patios, deck/patio railings, chimneys, and all exterior doors and windows or other fixtures designed to serve less than all the Units to the exclusion of the other Units and located outside a Unit boundary. Limited Common Elements are limited in their use to the units to which they are assigned, and are the responsibility of the unit owner.
CHIMNEYS
Chimneys are defined as a limited common element and the responsibility of the individual owner. It is strongly recommended that you have your chimney inspected/cleaned at least every three years.
DECKS AND PATIOS
Unit owners are expected to keep patios/decks clean and free of refuse and debris. Balconies are not to be used for general storage. Only appropriate furniture and flower pots/boxes are allowed. Do not empty your dust, rubbish, dead flowers, etc. onto your neighbors’ property. No clothing or household items are to be hung around the patio or on the patio/balcony railings. Holiday decorations should be removed within 30 days of the holiday.
EMERGENCIES
In the event of a true emergency (broken water pipe, etc) and you are unable to reach the Management Company after hours, please exercise good judgment and call whomever necessary to begin clean up. You will be asked to sign the bill for this service. If the broken pipe is the responsibility of the HOA, we will make the necessary arrangements. If, under the bare walls policy, the responsibility for the damage is yours, you will be expected to pay the first responder. In the event that the emergency involves two units, we will be happy to assist you in getting in touch with the other unit.
EMPLOYEES/CONTRACTORS OF THE ASSOCIATION
No owner or resident shall engage or direct any person employed by the property manager or a contractor on any private business of the owner/resident during hours such person is employed by the property manager or contractor, nor shall any owner/resident direct, supervise, or in any manner attempt to assert control over any such persons.
FEES/ASSESSMENTS
The monthly regime fee is due on the first (1st) day of each month and is considered to be late when postmarked after the tenth (10th) day, and a late fee of $25.00 is assessed. Levied assessments/fees/fines remain the owner’s responsibility until the assessment/fee/fine is paid in full and that late charges continue to be added each month until full payment is received and the debt is satisfied. Special Assessment fees will also accrue interest fees if not paid according to schedule. The Board of Directors shall bring legal action against the owner(s) for unpaid regime/assessment/associated fees and expenses or foreclose the mortgage securing the obligation to pay assessments. Owners should further understand that a co-owner cannot complete a sale of their unit until all assessments/fees/fines are paid in full.
FINES FOR VIOLATIONS
The Board of Directors has the right to impose reasonable fines and charge expenses for the owners’ or residents’ failure to comply with the Rules and Regulations. When a violation occurs, a warning will be sent to the resident as a courtesy for repair. If repair is not made within time frame specified, a fee will be charged. If the infraction costs the DKHOA any money, we shall recoup that money from the owner PLUS the fine.
The following is a guideline:
Minor infractions: involves one unit (signs, window treatments, etc.)
First violation - $25.00 per day after warning.
Subsequent violations – will be charged accordingly.
Major infractions: involves more than one unit (dumpster, etc.)
First violation – $50.00 per day following warning.
Subsequent violations - will be charged accordingly.
Pool infractions of DHEC rules (see Pool Rules)
Violation fee – $100.00 + cost of repairs. No warning necessary.
If the fine remains unpaid at the end of thirty days, a penalty of 25% will be compounded monthly until fine is settled. The Board reserves the right to forward any matter relative to the Rules and Regulations to the Association’s attorney.
GARBAGE
All trash and garbage must be placed inside the dumpster. Items left outside of the dumpster cannot be removed by the waste removal contractor. If a private contractor must be hired to remove large items, those expenses will be charged to the unit owner.
GRIEVANCES
Owners should first attempt to resolve any disputes with other residents, guests, etc. Communication is the key. Every resident should have a copy of the By-Laws/Rules and Regulations. If a resolution cannot be reached, you should send a written communication to the Board of Directors, attaching the supporting documentation. The offender will be notified in writing of the violation. In the case of a renter, a copy will be sent to the owner. All properly presented complaints will be investigated and resolved as expeditiously as possible.
The Board of Directors meets each month. Any member of the Association may address the Board in person by advance written request.
GRILLING OUTSIDE
In accordance with the laws of Richland County, grilling on an open flame cooking device is prohibited within 10ft of the building. You are allowed to store your grill and LP tanks weighing less than 2.5 lbs on your patio/deck.
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
Holiday decorations may not be displayed more than 30 days prior to the holiday and must be removed within 30 days following the holiday.
INSURANCE
Unit owners are required to obtain insurance covering their personal liability and compensatory damages to another unit or common area if damages occur. Proof of insurance needs to be on file with the management company prior to move-in date and thereafter. The Board will obtain homeowners insurance for any person(s) who does not have insurance. Cost of that insurance will be added to that unit’s assessment plus a $25.00 monthly administration fee.
The insurance covered by your regime is a “bare walls” policy. This means that DKHOA covers the exterior of your unit and all common areas of the property in the event of a catastrophe. Anything on the inside of your unit (floors, walls, ceilings, windows, doors, appliances, plumbing, hot water heater, etc.) is the responsibility of the owner unless damage to that unit is caused by a common element.
We strongly recommend that each owner carry an HO6 policy, which covers the structure of the inside of your unit (carpet, drywall, interior plumbing, bathroom fixtures, etc.) as well as your personal belongings (appliances, wall coverings, furniture, etc.) If you are an owner/investor leasing your unit, you may need a different type of policy. Please make sure that you discuss this with your personal agent so that you are adequately covered.
Each tenant is encouraged to carry a renter’s insurance policy to cover his/her personal belongings. .
In the event of a catastrophe such as a fire, the DKHOA will replace the outside of the building up to an including the studs in your unit. The rest is the responsibility of the individual owner.
In the event of damage inside your unit, you should contact your personal insurance agent first, request an adjustor, and let the management company know.
In the event that the damage is caused by a common element, the management company will be responsible to contact our insurance company and arrange for an adjustor to look at the damage. At least two estimates for repair will be obtained.
LANDSCAPING
The Board will determine when and how landscaping and maintenance services will be employed in Common Areas. The Association encourages you to beautify the areas adjacent to your units. Annuals and perennials may be planted in these areas; however, your plantings must be kept neat and trimmed. Dead foliage should be removed. Because of the underground plumbing, electrical, and communication lines, you should consult Palmetto Utility Protection Services (PUPS) at 800-922-0983 before digging deeper than 8 inches. Owners are responsible for any/all repairs to pipes/lines damaged by unauthorized digging.
MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION are held each year in February. Notice is sent to the owners in advance. At the time of the meeting, the owners review the budget for the upcoming year and elect members of the Board.
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month in the office of the management company. Should you wish to address the board, please notify us in writing so that you can be placed on the agenda.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Crime prevention is everyone’s concern and responsibility. If a resident notices anything/anyone suspicious, please do not hesitate to contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department @ 911 or 252-2911.
NEGLECT OF RESPONSIBILITY BY HOMEOWNER
Should any homeowner willfully neglect a repair issue that impacts other residents at Deerwood Knoll, that homeowner will be held financially responsible for any debts incurred.
NOISE
No excessive noise is permitted between the hours of 10pm – 7am Sunday through Thursday and 11pm – 7 am Friday and Saturday. Examples include (but not limited to) slamming doors, loud music or television noise, loud car music as you drive on the property, construction or repair work, playing of musical instruments, running exercise equipment. Please report noise violations directly to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
OWNERS INFORMATION
The owner of each unit shall provide the Association with their permanent residence, mailing address, email address, and telephone/cell numbers where they may be reached in an emergency both at home and at work. If the investor rents his unit, information as stated above should be supplied on the tenant. Any owner who fails to provide such information will have waived his right to receive timely notices at any address other than at the address of the Unit, and the Association will not be liable for any loss, damage, etc, that may be caused by delays in receiving notices.
PARKING
All vehicles that regularly park at DK must display current license plates and a current DK parking sticker. Residents without parking decals will be warned once and then fined. After that, the vehicle will be towed. Parking of racecars, junk cars, or storage of any vehicles that are not operable is prohibited. Any vehicle parked in “No Parking” zones will be towed, no warning necessary.
Each Deerwood Knoll unit has been assigned one numbered space. Additional vehicles should park only in unassigned spaces or in the back parking lot. DK parking lot is not a storage facility and spaces should rotate at least every 14 days. Parking spaces are not to be used for extended or major repairs on vehicles.
Only passenger cars and motorcycles are to be parked in the main parking lot. Boats or recreational vehicles belonging to residents may be parked in the Deerwood Street parking lot if they have a DK sticker.
Any vehicle occupying more than one space or any illegally parked vehicle (i.e., fire lane, no parking zone, someone else’s space, etc.) will be towed at the owner’s expense.
PEST CONTROL SERVICES
Pest control service is provided to all units at Deerwood Knoll by Home Pest Control (794-8078). This service is included in your regime, but unit owners must schedule their appointment directly with Home Pest. They are on the property twice each month. Should you see termites around your unit, please contact the Management Company and Home Pest immediately.
PETS
The Association requires that pet owners take full responsibility for their pets. Household pets may be kept by a resident in his/her unit (not on patios or decks), provided they are not kept, bred or maintained for any commercial purposes and do not endanger the health or, in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, unreasonably disturb other residents. In accordance with Richland County law, pets on the common property must be kept on a leash and under the direct and absolute control of the owner at all times. PETS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE POOL AREA AT ANY TIME!
The pet owner is responsible for cleaning up behind their pet. Plastic bags are provided on the “poop” station for that purpose. Pet owners will be fined for failing to clean up behind their pet.
Any resident who keeps or maintains any pet shall be deemed to have agreed to indemnify and hold free and harmless the Deerwood Knoll Horizontal Property Regime and each of its residents and/or owners from any loss, claims or liability of any kind or character whatsoever arising by reason of keeping or maintaining such pet.
POOL AND POOL AREA
The pool is for the exclusive use of Deerwood Knoll residents and their guests. Residents must accompany their guests while inside the pool fence. Use of the pool is at the swimmers’ own risk. Deerwood Knoll Horizontal Property Regime is not responsible for individuals using the pool facility.
To maximize security, each unit is issued one key to gain access to the pool. This key shall not be loaned to anyone. If your key is lost or stolen, there is a reasonable replacement charge. Replacement keys may be purchased from the property manager.
The pool closes at 10 p.m.
Pool keys are not to be loaned to anyone!
Resident must accompany his guest(s) at all times.
Pool tags (4) are issued each season. Everyone inside the pool gate must have a tag.
No one under the age of 16 is allowed in the pool area unless accompanied by an adult.
Pool gate must remain closed and locked at all times.
No pets inside the pool gate
No glass permitted inside the pool gate
Please help us keep the pool area clean by disposing of trash in the receptacles provided.
Please keep the volume of music at a reasonable level so as not to annoy others.
Proper bathing attire is required for all swimmers.
Pool parties are strictly prohibited without the written permission of the Board of DKHOA.
THE FOLLOWING ARE DHEC REGULATIONS. VIOLATION OF THESE REGULATIONS COULD RESULT IN THE CLOSING OF THE POOL AND A $100.00 FINE PLUS REPAIR COSTS. NO FURTHER WARNING WILL BE GIVEN FOR THESE VIOLATIONS:
• GLASS CONTAINERS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE POOL AREA.
• PETS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
• THE FLOATING LIFELIFE MUST REMAIN IN THE POOL. If you are swimming laps, make sure you replace it before you leave.
• THE LIFE PRESERVER MUST REMAIN ON THE FENCE AT ALL TIMES. It is not to be used as a pool toy.
SECURITY
There is no formal security system at Deerwood Knoll. It is the responsibility of all neighbors to ensure a safe community. If you are alerted to any suspicious activity or behavior, please contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 252-2911 or 691-9000 and notify the Board of Directors.
SPEEDING
Speed limit in the parking lot is 15 mph. Residents should inform their guests of this rule. If speeding becomes a problem, the Board has the legal right to inform the police department.
SIGNS: No signs of any kind, including “For Rent” or “For Sale”, are to be erected, posted, or displayed upon, in, from, or about any unit on common or limited common area. Professionally lettered and painted “Open House” signs (2) may be installed on the day of the open house, and must be removed by 6 PM on the same day. Owners will be fined for signs not removed. Make sure your realtor is informed.
TENANT INFORMATION: All owners are responsible for the conduct of their tenants and their guests, and all tenants are subject to all provisions contained in the By-Laws/Rules and Regulations. Any and all costs, including court costs and attorney’s fees, incurred by the Association in seeking to abate any violation shall be the responsibility of the unit owner. The unit owner is responsible to provide the management company with the name, telephone number, and email address (if any) of his tenant.
WEBSITE
Check our website, deerwoodknoll.com, for updated information. You may also post comments and suggest community discussions there.
WINDOWS
All screens and windows are to be maintained properly. Torn or unsightly window coverings are not permitted. All window treatments at Deerwood Knoll must be blinds, drapes, or curtains that are white or neutral in backing (absolutely no sheets, towels, etc). All windows that can be seen from the street or parking lot must have window treatments, including vacant units. Any new windows to be installed must conform on the exterior. Consult with the management company before installing.
