Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Why do we have a Home Owners Association?
Because we must. The developer of our community formed the Sheridan Parc Owners Association (SPOA) as a condition for city approval and in compliance with City Ordinance 1576-04 in 2006. The Ordinance was approved by City Council on March 16, 2004, and stipulated the formation and continued existence of a mandatory Owners Association
Why do I pay homeowners assessments?
Because we are equally responsible. The owner’s assessment is an equal share of the cost of maintaining the more than one acre of land, improved with a detention pond, boundary walls and fences, two entrance pillars and lighting, eighty-four trees, forty shrubs, and a sprinkler system that the association owns and maintains.
The assessments also pay for the association general administrative cost including the cost of enforcing the covenants, conditions, and restrictions of the association, the cost of collecting dues, the cost of legal representation and the cost of liability and property insurance
Finally, a portion of the annual assessment is placed in a reserve fund for planned repair and replacement of association property and capital improvement project as approved by the board of directors.
How do I pay homeowners assessments?
You can pay your assessments either by mailing a Check or Money Order for the exact amount of your invoice or online by using the payment link provided on your emailed invoice. Our mailing address is below:
Sheridan Parc Owners Association 445 E FM 1382, Suite 3999Cedar Hill, TX 75104
Are there property owners who have not paid dues? If so, what steps has the HOA taken to obtain payment of past dues and assessment?
Yes, there are. The board is dedicated to harmoniously collecting owner dues, but the association uses every legal method at its disposal to collect what it is owed. That’s because the board has a fiduciary responsibility to do so and the cost of collecting late payments are incredibly high. We start by trying to avoid late payments altogether by being transparent about association finances and cost and invoicing owners as much a 60 days before assessment are due. We send email reminders, certified notices, demand letters, and attorney letters that will result in a lien on the property if the debt remains unpaid. We verify each debt, perform skip-tracing, report accounts as in collections to the three major credit agencies, and if all else fails, we take the steps required to force foreclosure.
Who do I contact regarding my account?
If your account is in good standing and you need to see your account history, you can do so by visiting the Owners Portal and looking up your account. If your account is in the collection phase, you will need to contact the attorney assigned to your account. Please refer to the last correspondence you received. If you still have questions, you can send an email to directors@sheridanparc.com
What are the deed restrictions?
The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (aka CCR or Deed Restrictions) are a legal contract between our neighbors and ourselves which “are for the purpose of establishing a general standard for the upkeep of the Property and for the purpose of enhancing and protecting the value, attractiveness and desirability of lots within the property”. The CC&Rs are binding on all parties having or acquiring any right, title, or interest in the property or any part thereof”.
Where can I get a copy of my deed restrictions?
A copy of the Deed Restrictions for your property should have been provided during the closing process when you purchased your home. If not or if it has been misplaced, you can be download a copy here.
Who oversees homeowner compliance with our deed restrictions?
The Board of Directors of the Association administrates and has the authority for the enforcement of the compliance of the community Deed Restrictions. The Architectural Control Committee (ACC), The Covenant Conditions and Restrictions Compliance Committee (CCRCC) along with each homeowner share responsibility for ensuring compliance. The purpose of the ACC is to assist homeowners with staying complaint to their deed restrictions when they want to make improvements and changes to the outward appearance of their home and property. The purpose of the CCRCC is to encourage all owners to be good neighbors and to stay in compliance with deed restrictions and city ordinances. You can file a violation claim here.
The Board of Directors may engage an association management firm to assist the Homeowners Association with the administration of the Association and provisions of the deed restrictions. If so, the Association Manager would assist the board in providing expertise in the operation of the association and assistance to its members in maintaining compliance and implementing solutions.
Why do I keep getting violations and when my neighbor’s yard looks worse?
Property inspections are performed equally and objectively. Violation complaints can also be generated by your neighbors. The violation process takes time. It starts with a violation notice (2 weeks until next notice), A 2nd Notice and then a final notice that complies with the guidelines in the Texas Real Estate Owners Property Act (TROPA). If a fine is implemented there may be a hearing and an appeal to the decision.
The TROPA letter is required by the State of Texas and the HOA must allow the homeowner 30 days to correct the violation or appeal their violation to the board before the HOA can go on the property. Once the 30 days has expired the HOA can then correct the violation at the homeowner’s expense. During the violation process if the homeowner corrects the violation in the allotted time the violation is closed, and the violation process starts again. This may seem like a long process, but the State of Texas Laws are in place to protect the homeowners and the Association alike.
What can be done about cars parking in the street?
The streets in the Sheridan
How do I know if I need Architectural Control Committee approval for my project?
As a general rule, if a property modification is permanent or visible from another home or common area, it will require ACC approval. Refer to your governing documents for specific information.
How does a homeowner make a request to the ACC?
All requests must be submitted via the Property Modification Request Page.
Please complete the form in its entirety as it applies to your improvement project; and remember the more information included, the better chances are your project will be approved in a timely manner.
How do I know if I also need a permit from the City?
Common residential improvements requiring a permit include, but are not limited to, swimming pools, sprinkler systems, dog houses, storage buildings, detached garages, sunrooms, gazebos, patio covers (whether open or solid), pergolas, awnings, flag poles, replacement windows, solar screens, sun tunnels, skylights, retaining walls more than 4 feet above actual base (engineering study also required), decks more than 6 inches above the ground, and fences more than 6 feet tall (special restrictions may apply to corner lots). To receive more specific information on requirements for your project, call the city permits department.
How can I report irrigation or landscaping problems?
Please call 469 607 9103 and leave a message or send a message to the Landscape Committee via the owners portal.
CITY OF DESOTO IMPORTANT NUMBERS
| Department | Number | |
| Animal Control Complaints | 972-274-CITY | |
| Building Inspections-Permits | 972-230-9610 | |
| City Manager | 972-230-9643 | Tarron Richardson |
| Code Enforcement | 469-658-3076 | Charles Humphrey-Manager |
| Fire Marshal | 972-230-9607 | Michael Laws |
| Police Crime Prevention | 469-658-3054 | |
| Public Utilities-Water | 972-230-9627-billing | |
| Sanitation Department | 972-274-CITY |