Section 8: Operation of the Property
- Assessment Procedure. The first Board of Directors shall annually prepare a budget of Common Expenses for the Association, but may elect not to levy a Common Expense assessment for up to 60 days after the conveyance of the first Unit, in which case Declarant shall pay all expenses of the condominium until the first assessment is levied. Following the expiration of the terms of the members of the first Board of Directors, the Board of Directors shall annually prepare a budget of Common Expenses for the Association and assess such Common Expenses against the Units according to their respective Common Expense liability as set forth in the Declaration.
- The Board of Directors shall fix the amount of the annual assessment against each Unit, levy the assessment and advise the Owners in writing of the assessment at least thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the Association's fiscal year when the first assessment installment shall be due. The failure of the Board of Directors to timely levy an annual assessment shall not relieve the Owners of their obligation to continue paying assessment installments in the amount currently levied, as well as any increases subsequently levied.
- If an annual assessment proves to be insufficient, the Board of Directors may amend the budget and levy an additional assessment, at any time. The levy shall occur upon the date specified in the resolution which fixes the assessment.
- The annual budget shall include a general operating reserve, and an adequate reserve fund for maintenance, repair and replacement of those Common Elements and parts of the Units that must be maintained, repaired or replaced by the Association on a periodic basis.
- The Association shall furnish copies of each budget on which the assessment is based to an Owner or to any Eligible Mortgagee, upon request of such persons.
- Payment of Assessments. Annual assessment shall be due and payable in monthly installments in advance on the first day of each month of the year or other period for which the assessments are made, and special assessments shall be due when designated by the Board of Directors. All Owners shall be absolutely and unconditionally obligated to pay the assessments. No Owner or Occupant shall have any right of withholding, offset or deduction against the Association with respect to any assessments, or related late charge or costs of collection, regardless of any claims alleged against the Association or its officers or directors. Any rights or claims alleged by an Owner may be pursued only be separate action.
- Default in Payment of Assessments. If any Owner does not make payment on or before the date when any assessment or installment thereof is due, subject to such grace periods as may be established, the Board of Directors may assess, and such Owner shall be obligated to pay, a late charge as provided in the Declaration for each such unpaid assessment or installment thereof, together with all expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by the Board in collecting any such unpaid assessment.
- If there is a default of more than thirty (30) days in payment of any assessment, the Board of Directors may accelerate any remaining installments of the assessment upon prior written notice thereof to the Owner, and the entire unpaid balance of the assessment and late charges shall become due and payable upon the date stated in the notice unless all past due amounts, including late charges, costs of collection and fines, are paid prior to said date.
- The Board of Directors shall have the right and duty to attempt to recover all assessments for Common Expenses, together with any charges, attorneys' fees or expenses related to the collection thereof.
- Upon written request of an Owner or an Eligible Mortgagee of such Unit, notice of a default or more than thirty (30) days in payment of any assessment or installment of an assessment for Common Expenses or any other default in the performance of obligations by the Owner shall be given in writing to such Eligible Mortgagee.
- The rights and remedies referred to herein shall in no way limit the remedies available to the Association under the Declaration or by law.
- Foreclosure of Liens for Unpaid Assessments. The Association has the right to foreclose its assessment lien against a Unit for assessments imposed by the Association, as more fully described in the Declaration and the Act.
- Records. The Board of Directors shall cause to be kept at the registered office of the Association, and at such other place as the Board of Directors may determine, records of the actions of the Board of Directors, minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors, minutes of the meetings of the Owners of the Association, names of the Owners and Eligible Mortgagees, and detailed and accurate records of the receipts and expeditures of the Association. All Association records, including receipts and expenditures and any vouchers authorizing payments, shall be available for examination by the Owners and the Eligible Mortgagees upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours. Separate accounts shall be maintained for each Unit setting forth the amount of the assessments against the Unit, the date when due, the amount paid thereon and the balance remaining unpaid.
- Enforcement of Obligations. All Owners and Occupants and their guests are obligated and bound to observe the provisions of the Governing Documents, the Rules and Regulations and the Act. The Association may impose any or all of the charges, sanctions and remedies authorized by the Governing Documents, the Rules and Regulations or by law to enforce and implement its rights and to otherwise enable it to manage and operate the Association.