Questions Regarding Lease & Rental of Master’s Units

Question-I would like to offer my unit for rent. What information do I need to provide to the Management Company once I have a potential tenant? Answer– An Owner who rents their home is required to provide the Property Management Company a copy of the current lease, and the Certificate of Occupancy (COO) required by the  Township of Clinton. This is to be provided prior to the start of the lease. The Owner is responsible for providing the tenant with a copy of the Rules & Regulations of the Association.

Question-My grown children have moved out and I now have extra bedrooms I would like to rent out. Is this allowed? Answer-The short answer is no.  Our Master Deed specifies in Article 9.3(a)’

                     “No unit owner may lease less than an entire unit.”

Question-I have a 2-car garage and only use one side of it. Can I rent out the other side for storage or another car, motor vehicle, boat, etc.? Answer– Again, as in the question above, only an entire unit may be leased or rented.

Question-Must I notify the Management Company when a tenant leaves and either a new tenant moves in, or it is no longer being rented? Answer– An Owner who rents their home is required to provide the Property Management Company a copy of the current lease, and the Certificate of Occupancy (COO) required by the  Township of Clinton.

Question-Can I use my garage as extra living space? Answer– The use of your garage as extra living space is a violation of the zoning regulations and the fire safety codes of the Township of Clinton. 

Question-What is the minimum time I can rent my unit for? Answer– Entire units in the Master Collection may be leased for no less than 180 days.

Question-Must I provide a parking space, or driveway space for my tenant or can they use Visitor Parking? Answer– Visitor parking space is reserved for visitors only.  Homeowners and tenants are not permitted to use the visitor parking.

Question-I have cat and a dog. My potential tenant has a dog. Are 3 animals allowed in these circumstances? Answer– Our Rules and Regulations state in Article 20A:

   “ No more than ( 2) household dogs or cats, in  aggregate, may be kept or boarder at any time.”

  Questions Regarding Selling Master’s Units

Question-I will be selling my unit. What information do I need to provide to the Management Company once I have put it on the market?
Answer– There is no formal requirement to notify the Property Management firm before a homeowner places his/her unit on the market, but it would be a good practice to do so. There would be a number of prospective buyers coming into our community to view your unit and our Property Management Firm should be advised so they can properly respond to inquiries inform neighbors.

Question-Once I have a contract for sale what information should I provide to the Management Company?
Answer– The Property Management firm would like to be informed once you have a signed Contract for Sale.  You should also request a copy of your account so there are no surprises down the road.

Question-Should I share a home inspection report with the Management Company if I believe items noted are the responsibility of the homeowner or the Association?
Answer– If you are a new owner and your home inspection report notes items that you believe are the responsibility of the Association, yes; you should contact our Property Manager and send them a copy of the report.

Question-Can I have a POD or other storage container in my driveway?  If I have a POD in my driveway, can I then use Visitor parking while the POD is being used?
Answer– Your driveway is specified as a common area.  Generally, you may locate a POD or other storage container for a limited time (usually 2 weeks) in your driveway, but you must first get permission from our Property Management firm. If you make a request to use the visitor parking area  for the time you have the POD in your driveway, the Property Management firm will grant your request.

Question-Can I have a dumpster in my driveway?  Can I use Visitor parking while the dumpster is being used?
Answer– Dumpsters are often requested when a homeowner is renovating their unit.  As with a POD, you must first request permission from our Property Management firm. Dumpsters are heavy construction equipment, and their weight can damage the asphalt surface of the driveway. The approval will require that steps must be taken to protect the asphalt surface.  Your contractor or carting company must be notified of this requirement.  If you make a request to use the visitor parking area  for the time you have the dumpster in your driveway(usually 2 weeks), the Property Management firm will grant your request.

Question-What should I do if my moving date is not a trash or recycling day and I have both? Can I just leave them outside until it is pick up day?
Answer– The garbage company is contracted to pick up 2 times per week, currently Monday & Thursday. Trash may be put out after 6:00pm the night before and must be brought in by the end of the pick-up day. For the sake of your neighbors, please adhere to this requirement.

Question-What do I do if the moving company damages any part of the unit that is the responsibility of the Association?
Answer– You will be held responsible for any damage to the common areas.  Please make your moving company aware of this regulation.

Question-Whose responsibility is it to provide the new owners with the Rules and Regulations of the Association?
Answer– Prior to your closing of title, the buyer’s attorney will should request a report of your account from our Property Management firm.  They will provide the attorney with a copy of our Rules & Regulations as part of that report. These Rules & Regulations should be delivered to the buyers at closing. It would be a good practice for you to give the buyers a copy early in your negotiations, so they are aware of our community regulations.                      

Questions Regarding Master’s Repairs, Replacements and Maintenance

Question-My garage door is damaged or not working? Is this my responsibility or the Association?
Answer–  The doors and windows, including roof windows, are the responsibility of the homeowner.

Question-The rubber gasket around my garage door needs replacing. Who pays for this?
Answer– The rubber gasket around your garage door is the responsibility of the Association.  Contact our Property Management Firm if it needs replacement.

Question-My front door needs to be painted. Can I just paint it?
Answer–  Maintenance of the paint on your front door is the homeowner’s responsibility.  If it is in need of attention, you may repaint it.  Keep in mind that our Rules & Regulations require that front doors all be painted the same color.  The approved paint color is Sherwin Williams. Valspar Mark Twain Grey Brick.

Question-Is there an approved stain color for the decks?
Answer- Yes. The approved stain is Sherwin-Williams Super Deck Stain #3003 Buckthorn.

Question-I need a new lockset for my front door. Can I choose any handle and lockset, or must it be exactly as the original?
Answer– Your lockset and handle must be as original.

Question-My windows and screens need replacing. Does the Association take care of this?
Answer– Windows and screens are the responsibility of the homeowner.

Question-My skylights require maintenance. Who do I call?
Answer– the skylights or roof windows are the responsibility of the homeowner.  The flashing around the skylights is the responsibility of the Association.  If you think you have a problem, contact our Property Management firm.
 Answer– Roof window leaks are generally the fault of the flashing, and the Association will repair the leak.  If, however, the inside of your unit is damaged ( wallboard, paint, etc.) as a result of the leak, that repair is your responsibility. The Association recommends that all homeowners insure the inside of your unit and its contents.

Question-The stone veneer on my unit has some broken and missing pieces. Should I contact the association?
Answer– Most definitely. The outside of the buildings (stone veneer, siding, and roofs) is the responsibility of the Association. Contact the Property Management firm,

Question-I would like to replace the outdoor lighting on my unit. Can I choose lighting to my liking? Answer– The outside lighting fixtures were purchased and installed by the Association to maintain a consistent appearance in the community. They may not be changed.                          

Questions Regarding Common Areas

Question-What areas are designated as Common Areas?
Answer– Common areas are defined in our Master Deed as:   
   “All appurtenances and facilities and other items which are not part of the (individual) units.” Common areas include roads, driveways, lawns, landscaping , and the outside of our buildings.

Question-Do all residents have access and use of the common areas?
Answer– Yes. The common areas are held by the Association for the benefit of all owners and residents, to be used in accordance with the Rules & Regulations.

Question-I am having a party, picnic, or event. Can I use the open grassy common areas?
Answer– You may use the open grassy areas next to your unit however, you must first get permission from our Property Management firm. This requirement is there to ensure that your event does not interfere with your neighbor’s peaceful enjoyment of their unit.

Question-My kids like to play soccer and kick ball. Can they use the grassy common areas? Answer–  Absolutely.

Question-Can I set up a volleyball net on common areas?
Answer– With permission from our Property Management firm, you can utilize the lawn areas for badminton or volleyball, however the nets and equipment must be taken down and stored in your unit after dark. No equipment may remain in the common areas overnight.

Question- Can I install my own tree or bush in the common area?
Answer- No shrubs or trees may be planted or moved.  Owners/residents are permitted to plant flowers in the bedded areas next to their home, however once flowers are planted the owner/resident is solely responsible for the upkeep and maintenance.  If you have questions, contact our property manager.

Questions Regarding The BBMA

Question-What do the letters BBMA stand for? Answer– The BBMA refers to the Beaver Brook Masters Association. The BBMA manages many of the common areas that surround the other Beaver Brook communities. These areas include Westchester Terrace, the top section of Mission Hills Road, the tennis courts, and several areas of open space and natural wooded areas.

Question-Is the BBMA the same as Masters Collection Association? Answer– The BBMA is a separate association from the Masters Collection. Each Clinton Twp. village within the Beaver Brook community is represented on the BBMA Board of Directors.

Question-Are all homeowners members of the BBMA? Answer– Yes.  When you purchase a home in a Beaver Brook community you automatically become a member of the BBMA.

Question-Can a tenant be a member of the BBMA? Answer– No. To become a member of the BBMA you must be an owner of a unit in one of the included communities, which includes the Masters Collection.

Question-What is the makeup of the BBMA? Answer– Member communities of the BBMA include Roundtop, Northgate East, Northgate West, Fairways, Westgate and the Masters Collection.  Each community is represented on the BBMA Board of Directors by a trustee appointed by the local community’s board.  Officers of the BBMA are chosen by the board members.  The current Present of the BBMA is Robert Rodman from the Masters Collection.

Question-Does part of my maintenance fee go to BBMA? Answer– Yes, A relatively small portion of your local community maintenance fee (under $15) funds the operations of the BBMA.

Question-What Management Company is associated with the BBMA? Answer–  The Property Management firm for the BBMA is Access Property Management

Question-What benefits do I get from the BBMA? Answer– The BBMA maintains many of the common elements, shared by all the Beaver Brook communities. These include:

• Roads – parts of both Westchester Terrace and Mission Hills Road.
• Tennis and pickle-ball courts.
• Landscaping and trees along the Country Club Drive entrance.
• Country Club Street lighting.
• Maintenance of wooded and open space areas.

Question-Can I opt out of my membership in the BBMA? Answer– No.  The Master Deed of our community makes membership automatic.

Question-Does the BBMA have regular meetings? Answer– Yes. The BBMA regularly meets 8 times a year.  In between meetings board members communicate by phone and email and our Property Management firm stays current on all issues.