How do I get a key for the mailbox?

If you are renting a home with a community Mailbox, you will need to go to the U.S. Post Office that services your property. Community Mailboxes or Cluster Mailboxes are owned by the USPS and are federal property; they are not owned by the public or property owners.

Therefore, in order for one to receive keys to the mailbox, you must establish residency by going to the local post office with your lease agreement to prove you reside there or that residency is or has been established. Also you will need to show a valid government issued ID.

To find the post office that services your property call 800-275-8777 or go to the USPS Postal Office Locator. Important: Please select “Post Offices” only and not the default “Post Offices and Approved Postal Providers,” then enter your Zip Code to find the closest Post Office.

Upon providing your documentation, the postmaster will provide a key which requires a new lock & minimal fee. Any fees that the Post Office may charge are the responsibility of the tenant. The fee involved is approximately $20 which the tenant pays to the Post Office as the key is the tenant’s possession or for their personal use, not the property owner.

Note: New mailbox keys can take between three and five business days to receive.

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HOA RULES

Nearly 90% of the modern homes in San Antonio have HOA’s.

By following some basic rules – tenants should not experience any difficulties:

1. Keep all trash cans out of sight on non-trash days. If your trash cans are stored in your driveway or are otherwise visible from the street it is an HOA and Lease Violation. Trash cans and recycling cans should be set out no earlier than the night before pickup and removed and stored out of sight from the street, no later than the end of the day your garbage is picked up.

2. Maintaining your Yard which includes mowing, trimming, as well as watering your yard.

3. Do not park any boats or trailers on the driveway or the street. Only park cars in approved parking areas and observe all no parking signs.

4. Basketball goals are not to be left at the curb near the street.

5. Do not install satellite dishes without first getting written permission from Xsellence Realty and the HOA.

Should you have any further questions about Homeowners Associations – feel free to give us a call at 210-277-0100 or send us an email to vanessa@sa-broker.com

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Home Owner Associations – Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the Homeowners Association (HOA)?

Homeowners associations (HOA) are common in single-family housing developments, as well as condominium and townhouse complexes. An HOA is the governing body of the neighborhood or complex. They are usually responsible for enforcing the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), which is just a fancy way of saying the rules of the community.

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Is membership mandatory?

When an owner buys a property governed by a Homeowners Association, they automatically become a member of the association. They don’t have the choice of not joining. The purchase of the home becomes a contract with the HOA. They agree that will obey all the HOA rules. When you rent a home in an HOA you agree also to obey the rules of that HOA.

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Are there penalties for breaking the rules?

When rules are broken, many HOAs punish homeowners and tenants. The usual penalty for breaking a rule is a fine. Tenant must comply with any owners’ association rules or restrictive covenants affecting the Property. Tenant will reimburse Landlord for any fines or other charges assessed against Landlord for violations by Tenant of any owners’ association rule or restrictive covenant.

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Do I have to pay for HOA dues?

Homeowners in a covenant-controlled development pay mandatory association fees or dues, either monthly or yearly, as part of their membership. In some HOA’s the pool or park and other amenities may be included in the mandatory association fees. Often times you may need to get a letter from Xsellence Realty giving you permission to use the HOA’s amenities.

Tenants are only responsible for optional or voluntary dues. Some HOA have optional dues to use their pool or clubhouse or other amenities which the tenant would have to pay for to use. HOAs use this money for maintenance of common areas used by all the homeowners, such as walking paths, swimming pools, or recreation centers.

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Why am I being charged a for a HOA violation?

More than likely you have violated one of the HOA violations listed in your lease agreement. If a tenant violates a rule, the homeowners’ association cannot take action directly against the tenant instead, they notify the landlord of the violation and the landlord then in turn notifies Xsellence Realty of the violation.

If a tenant breaks a law or commits a crime, the homeowners’ association can report that directly to authorities. If he/she parks illegally, the homeowners’ association can tow the car and he/she is responsible for the associated costs. For questions or concerns please visit your HOA’s website that list all Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R’s).

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Satellite Dish/Cable Installation

You must check with the HOA before installing a satellite dish if your property is subject to a mandatory Home Owners Association. Many HOAs require you to get written permission from them before you install  satellite dish. The satellite dish must be installed in a manner that complies with the HOA rules. Any fines assessed by the HOA due to the installation of a satellite dish are the responsibility of the resident.

Location: Your satellite dish or antenna must be installed: (1) inside your dwelling or (2) in an area outside your dwelling, such as patio, backyard etc. or other area of which you have exclusive use, per your lease. Installation is not permitted on any roof, exterior wall, window, windowsill or fence.

Removal and damages: You must remove the satellite dish, cable, or antenna and all related equipment when you move out of the dwelling. You must pay for damages and for the cost of repair and repainting which may be reasonably necessary to restore the lease premises to the same condition prior to the installation of the said equipment.

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Utilities

As soon as your application is approved, contact your utility companies and have them schedule your utilities to be turned on for the day you take possession of the property. If you fail to make said arrangement, you may be in the property without utilities for a few days before they are turned on.

Residents are responsible for the cost of all utility and cable services, unless otherwise specified in your lease.