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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ?????????? Last updated: April 19, 2007 This purpose of this web site page is to answer many of the questions you may have while living here at Casablanca. It DOES NOT attempt to cover our RULES AND REGULATIONS - which are available on the RULES page. NOTICE: The service providers listed herein are not intended to be an endorsement of any kind. They are listed because they have a history of service here at Casablanca and a knowledge of our community. [1] Does the association have a defined process for handling emergencies? YES. Please call the clubhouse and the property manager will assist you. If it is after hours, you will be transferred to an answering service that can handle your emergency. The number is listed on our CONTACTS page. [1] When are my association fees due? Your association fees are due on the first day of each month. [2] When is my association fee considered late and what does this cost me? A $15.00 late fee is added to the owner’s account if payment is not received by the 15th day of the month. So, be very sure when you mail your payment that you allow sufficient time for it to reach the office no later than the 15th of the month. [3] How do I pay my association fees? You will receive a coupon book with a coupon for each month. Simply place it and your check in an envelope, place the address label from the coupon book on the envelope and mail it. Don't forget postage or the Post Office will not deliver it. [4] Can I make arrangements to automatically pay my association fee each month? YES. You will need to contact your financial institution to see if they offer the service. It is no longer possible to use direct deposit. [5] Can I leave my payment at the association office? Yes. We now accept payments at the office. [1] Who do I contact to report a rules violations? You have more than one method of reporting violations. You can ….
You will receive a call back after the page is received.
[2] Where can I get a copy of the Rules Book? The Rules Book is on-line here, which you can also print. You can also pick up a copy of the Rules Book from the association office. [3] Who established the associations rules? The original Rules and Regulations Committee developed our association rules in 1986. The rules were then approved by the Board of Directors. Since that time the rules have undergone a few changes, which are first proposed to the Board of Directors, reviewed and then approved. [4] What happens if I violate one of the rules? If the violation is observed and reported to the association, either by our Property Patrol or another resident, you will usually receive a courtesy Violation Notification (hung on your door) to notify you. This is also recorded at the association office. If a second violation should occur, you will be notified by the association in writing. If a third violation should occur, you will be required to attend a Hearing to determine if a fine is warrented. [5] What if I did not know about the rule – will I still receive a fine? Like the saying, "Ignorance of the law is no excuse" – so it goes here at Casablanca. It is your responsibility as a resident to know, understand and abide by our rules. It is also your responsibility to educate your children and your guests and ensure that they do not violate the association rules. It is the actual owner who has the financial responsibility of paying any fines that are incurred. But, most non-resident owners simply pass this burden onto the tenant who violated the rule(s). [6] What if I feel that the fine or the circumstances are unjust? The OWNER of the unit has the right to appeal – either in writing or in person – to the Board of Directors. Hearings are held at the Executive Session of the Board meeting every month. [1] When is the monthly Board of Directors meeting held? Board meetings are held on the third (3rd) Wednesday of each month, starting at 6:30 PM. The meetings are held at the clubhouse. All owners and non-owner residents are welcome to attend our board meetings. [2] What happens at Board meetings? Board meetings are where all business pertaining to the community is conducted. They include monthly financial and committee reports about the community, old business that was held over from a previous meeting is resolved, new business is introduced and voted upon. Early in the meeting, there is a Owners/Residents Forum, an opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns. Meetings are usually about 2 hours in length. [1] How can I locate an additional parking space to rent? The process is rather informal and up to you. The association does NOT rent spaces. Individual owners can rent them. You have a few options open to you on connecting with an owner, chose one or all ....
[2] Can I use a Guest Parking space for my car if I live here? NO. Guest parking is exactly that – for guests only. Each unit has 2 deeded parking spaces in which to store the resident’s vehicles. City code requires that a certain number of spaces within the development be reserved for guests. This allows our residents to actually provide parking spaces for guests when they visit. If Casablanca residents use these spaces, there is no place for the guests to park. [3] What am I supposed to do with my third vehicle? If there are more than 2 cars for the residents of your unit, you have two choices for parking the third vehicle ….
You do NOT have the right to park in Guest Parking. Guest parking spaces belong to the association and violators will be towed. [4] Can I leave my vehicle temporarily parked in the FIRE LANE (red curb) while unloading or loading my vehicle? NO. Parking in a Fire Lane is not only against our rules – it is AGAINST THE LAW. Violators will be towed. The roadways and parking areas in Casablanca are very narrow, often allowing only one vehicle. Should any emergency occur while you are out of your vehicle and parked in a Fire Lane, the fire trucks and emergency vehicles may not be able to get through the area – endangering lives and property. Your immediate convenience is simply not worth anyone else’s life. [5] Who is responsible for cleaning the parking lots and roadways? The association has a street sweeping contractor that sweeps all the asphalt surfaces once a week. [6] Who is supposed to clean up the oil in the parking areas? Since the parking spaces are actually deeded to the owners (except Guest parking), the owner or tenant is responsible for cleaning up any oil in the parking space. Oil in guest parking spaces is cleaned up by the Association. [7] What can I do if someone parks in one of my parking space? The violating car can be towed. Only the owner or resident of the unit can have the violator car towed. The association does not have the authority to tow violator cars when parked in an owner’s space. TIP: A suggested towing company is Western Towing at (858) 297-8697 or (858) 452-0484 [8] Can I park a motorcycle in my parking spaces with my car? Or my other motorcycle? NO. Only one vehicle per parking space is allowed by our community rules …no matter how feasible it appears to be. Here at our community a vehicle is described as a car, pickup truck, or motorcycle. [9] Where can my guests park when they visit me? We have a limited number of guest parking spaces located on the back driveway. If all the guest parking is full, your guests will have to park on the street. If they park in numbered spaces other than guest parking, they can and will be towed at the car owner’s expense. If your guests are visiting for more than a day, they need a guest parking permit, which is attainable from either the Property Patrol or the office. [10] Can I park a trailer or big truck in my parking spaces? NO. Utility trailers, trucks over 3/4 tons, 1 ton dual wheeled pickups, large vans, moving vans, and trailered boats and boats are not permitted. They are too large for any carport space or open parking space and would interfere with the cars parked on either side. [1] Who can I get to repair my window? If you have broken glass you can contact any of the local glass dealers – there are many. But, the service provider listed below is familiar with our complex and the type and construction of our windows. If you are having a problem with your window frame or the operation of your window, we suggest: Bob's Glass & Screen Co. (Located just off Miramar Rd., 1.2 miles west of Black Mtn. Rd.) [2] How can I replace my windows and frames? If you wish to install new windows and frames, this requires approval by the Board of Directors. The Board ensures that architectural changes made by any owner are in compliance with the structural requirements established for our community. A list of windows that meet the specifications for our community is available at the clubhouse. Architectural Policy for Window Replacements is found here. You are required to fill out an Architectural Request Form - available from the Casablanca office or on our web site - and submit this form to the office. The request will be forwarded to the Architectural Request Committee (ARC) for recommendations to the Board. The Board will then review the ARC recommendations and approve or deny the request. [3] Who washes the outside of the windows of my unit? It is the responsibility of the unit resident or owner to clean the windows or to have the windows cleaned professionally. [1] What type of front screen or security door can I install? Front screen and security doors must be of metal (steel or aluminum) and of conventional design. The color must be white. Once you have selected the screen/security door you want to install, you must fill-out an Architectural Request Form (available here on our web site or at the clubhouse) and submit the completed form to the Property Manager for routing to the Architectural Committee. The door may only be installed AFTER receiving the request form back with approval. Note: all other window and door screens must match the original ones in design and color, i.e., antique bronze (very dark brown). [1] Who is responsible for cleaning the sidewalks? The unit resident is responsible for sweeping and cleaning the sidewalks in front of their unit. The landscaping crew is responsible for cleaning (blowing) the sidewalks after they cut the grass or do other landscape tasks, but they are not responsible for keeping all of the sidewalks clean. [1] Can I rent the clubhouse and how do I make the arrangements? YES. As an owner, you can rent the clubhouse for small to medium parties. The absolute limit is 50 persons allowed to occupy the interior of the clubhouse at any one time. To rent the clubhouse, you need to fill-out our on-line Clubhouse Rental Request Form and submit it to Property Manager in the clubhouse to reserve the date. There is a $200 deposit fee (refundable) plus a rental fee of $40 for weekday rentals and $60 for weekend rentals. You may not rent the clubhouse on behalf of your extended family members, friends, commercial groups or clubs. The clubhouse is for owners’ and residents’ use only. Renting the clubhouse does not include the use of the pool. [2] Can I use the barbecues by the clubhouse? YES. The barbecues are for the use of residents of Casablanca. You will need to bring a match or lighter to start the barbecues. Please clean the barbecues after you have used them. [3] Can I reserve the barbecues and the surrounding picnic area along with my rental of the clubhouse? NO. The barbecues and picnic area are for the use of all residents of Casablanca. They cannot be reserved for private use … even if you rent the clubhouse. [4] Must I stay at the clubhouse while the event for which I rented is in progress? YES. The owner who rents the clubhouse must be present at all times during the event. You are responsible for the behavior of your guests and their adherence to our rules. You are also responsible for a thorough cleanup of the facility. [5] What happens to the $200 clubhouse deposit? If the clubhouse is left in the same condition as prior to your event, you may pick up your check, or we will shred it. If there are repairs or cleaning needed, the deposit will be used for this purpose. [1] Can I paint the railings on my patio or balcony? NO. The association has a scheduled painting program for these items and only the originally specified paint colors can be used. [2] How do I get my patio or balcony railings replaced or repaired? The wooden railings on each patio, balcony or front entry deck is a common area maintenance item. However, if the railing is damaged due to any variety of reasons, please call the office and report it as a repair item. You can also use this web site, select the Maintenance Request Form. [3] How can I get my balcony decks repaired? The deck surfaces, like the wooden railings are a scheduled maintenance item. If, however, the deck surface has been damaged or there is excessive wear, please contact the office and report it as a requested repair item. You can also use this web site, select the Maintenance Request Form. [1] How do I shut off the water to my unit? To shut-off the water to your unit, it must be shut-off to the entire building. Casablanca has certain requirements for imposing this type of major inconvenience on 9 or more of your neighbors. Our Water Shut-off Policy, Request and Notice are all part of this process. For normal repairs and renovations, you must give the association 72 hours written notice by submitting a Water Shut-off Request form. Then you must give all the neighbors in your building 48 hours written notice before the water is shut-off by posting the Water Shut-off Notice form on every door after the Property Manager returns it signed. Forms are available in the Water Shut-off Form on our Forms page. In an emergency situation, call the office and report the plumbing problem and request emergency water be shut off. Contact information is on the Contact Info page of our web site. Emergency shut-off will be permitted only when there is imminent damage resulting from leaking water. [2] How do I shut off the gas to my unit? The gas can be shut off ONLY IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY (i.e. earthquake, fire, flood). The shut off valves are located in the utility service closet marked "Gas Room". [3] How do I shut off the electricity to my unit? There are individual breakers in the electrical panel inside your unit that you may shut off. There is a main breaker in the electrical service closet. However, only the association maintenance manager, maintenance technician, or a representative from SDG&E can open this utility closet and shut off the main switch. Call or e-mail the office if you truly need to shut-off the main breaker. Contact information is on the Contact Info page of our web site. [1] How can I replace my fireplace screen, glass door or cracked hearth? There are many companies in our area that sell fireplace parts and equipment. The closest is the company listed below. They are the local distributor for our type of fireplace (Superior) that was installed in your unit and can provide replacement parts and labor. You will need to provide them with our fireplace model number to get the correct replacement parts. Schmid Insulation & Fireplaces [2] Does my chimney need cleaning? YES. You should have your chimney cleaned about every two to three years depending upon how much you use the fireplace. If you burn materials such as wood or paper you need to have the chimney cleaned more often; preferably once a year. You must NOT use pressed logs. TIP: A suggested service provider is The Chimney Sweep (760) 480-1019 [3] Do I need to do any maintenance on my fireplace? YES. You need to inspect condition of the chimney (it may need cleaning) and look for any cracks in the hearth. A cracked hearth can be very serious, leading to a building fire. Both items should be done annually and repairs done immediately. See question 1 above for the source and installation of replacement parts. [4] Is there a preferred fuel for the fireplaces YES. Gas logs …. for obvious safety reasons and reduce maintenance. You may also use hardwoods as they burn cooler than softwoods. DO NOT use pressed logs. These burn much too hot and create creosote on the inside and soot on the outside at the top of the chimney. [1] Who is responsible for repairing or replacing my water heater? The unit owner is responsible for both repairs and replacement and is also responsible for all damage that results from a malfunctioning or leaky water heater. This single item has caused the greatest number and most costly problems for owners. Replace it before it breaks or you will pay much more than replacement costs. [2] Does my water heater require maintenance? YES. Check your water heater frequently. Label it with the purchase date. Understand that the life expectancy of a water heater is 13 years. Anything more is luck and sediment accumulation at the bottom of your water heater will shorten its life expectancy. Regular maintenance can help to prolong your investment. TIP: check-out http://homerepair.about.com/cs/waterheater/ for information on how to perform regular maintenance on your water heater. [1] Will the association replace my smoke detector if it not working? NO. Smoke detectors are the sole responsibility of the resident or owner of each unit to replace or repair. We suggest you visit Home Depot and purchase a replacement part. Be sure to test your detector regularly per the manufacturer’s recommendations. [1] How do I report something that needs repair? You can call the office to report the needed repairs of the common areas or send an electronic Maintenance Request Form. [2] How do I report a light problem? Only common are lights are maintained by the association. Front door light and the lights on the patio or balcony are the owner's responsibility. For any lighting problem in the common area, contact the office or send an electronic Maintenance Request Form. If the problem is just a light that is out, you can also notify our Property Patrol because they replace our light bulbs. Contact Info has their pager number and instructions. [1] Can I have a satellite dish and where can I place it? YES. It can be placed on your patio or balcony on a stand provided by the satellite company. The dish cannot be attached to the stucco or wood railing. Prior to installation, however, you must submit an Architectural Request form with plans illustrating your installation scheme. This is then reviewed by the Architectural Committee who gives their recommendations to our Board of Directors. The Board is the final authority in approving the installation of each satellite dish. Installation guidelines are found here. [1] What should I do if I see sprinklers that need to adjusted? Please phone the office and report the specific location of the sprinkler or send an electronic Maintenance Request Form. [2] Can I plant flowers or shrubs around my unit? NO. The association has a landscape plan with specified trees, plants and shrubs used within the community. Only the association’s landscaping company may plant flowers or shrubs. [1] Can I remove, change or remodel the walls in my unit? NO. Removal or changing of the walls is not possible. The interior walls are structurally supportive and are necessary in the integrity of the building. Remodeling can only be performed to the wallboard, such as repairs, painting, texturing, and wallpaper. [2] Can I install tile or hardwood flooring in an upstairs unit? Hard surface flooring such as
vinyl, wood, linoleum or tile cannot be installed in upstairs
units, except in the kitchen, bathrooms and entryway due to
the noise that it creates for the residents that live below
your unit. [1] Can I wade or swim in the ponds? NO. The ponds are man-made and very fragile! If a person or child were to wade in the ponds, they could step though the bottom of the pond. This can severely damage the ponds and start serious, expensive leaking problems. The owner responsible would be required to pay the damages. [2] Why do the ponds only run half the time? When the ponds are running – approximately 14 hours per day – they are great consumers of electric power and a costly item for our owners. In the association’s attempt to conserve energy on behalf of owners, we have determined that the most desirable hours to have the ponds running is between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM. [3] During what hours are the ponds running? The ponds are now running 14 hours per day. They are turned on by automatic timer at approximately (not exact) 8:00 AM and off at approximately 10:00 PM. [4] Can we conserve more energy if we used the ponds less? NO. In 2001, the association changed the pond pumps from 2HP to ¾HP and achieve a significant reduction in energy costs. However, when we attempted to run them 12 hours per day, we found that they did not get enough hours of filtration to keep them sufficiently clean and free of algae. We also found that they often needed to be emptied and refilled which is more costly than running them two hours more per day. The schedule we have now established of 14 hours ON and 10 hours OFF appears to be the most effective for energy conservation and clean waterways. [5] How are the ponds maintained? Casablanca has a pool and pond maintenance service on-site three times per week – and sometimes more often – in order to properly care for all 16 ponds. Keeping the ponds in good operating condition is a delicate balance of adequate filtration and proper maintenance. [1] Where can I walk my dog? Preferably at an off-site location, such as a park. But if you must walk your dog on community property, please be thoughtful enough to clean up after your dog. There are specific rules covering this matter. It would be wise to read our rulebook. [2] What can I do if I see a dog "doing it’s business" on the grass and their owner is not cleaning up after them? You can politely ask the dog owner to clean up after their pooch. You could try and gather information as to where the dog/owner lives and then report this incident to our Property Patrol or to the office by submitting an electronic Rules Violation Form. [1] Can I install awnings over my windows like some units have? NO. The awning like structures over windows were designed as an architectural feature and installed during the initial construction of our community. They are the only awnings approved for windows. [2] What should I do if any of the awnings outside my unit need repair? Contact the office to report the repair or submit an electronic Maintenance Request Form. [1] Who do I call for my plumbing problems or plumbing emergencies? The owner or resident is responsible for all emergency and normal plumbing repairs to the interior of each unit. For normal repairs and renovations, a Casablanca Water Shut-off Request form (available at the clubhouse) must be filled-out and submitted to the association at least 72 hours in advance. In addition, a Casablanca Water Shut-off Notice (available at the clubhouse) must be posted by the resident, on every door in the affected building, 48 hours in advance. If you have an emergency, you MUST phone the office to request that the water be shut-off. DO NOT SHUT THE BUILDING WATER OFF. DO NOT HAVE YOUR PLUMBER SHUT THE BUILDING WATER OFF. TIP: Suggested plumbers, familiar with the plumbing in our buildings: Sun West Plumbing (858) 566-7992 [1] Who do I contact if I need insect or pest control? To schedule pest control services you can phone Orkin Pest Control at (800) 958-4801, or call any other pest control service company of your choice. Orkin Pest Control offers a reduced rate if the service can be scheduled on the same date as their normally scheduled treatments at Casablanca. [2] What if I observe insect or pest control problems in the common areas of the property or buildings? Contact the office or submit an electronic Maintenance Request Form on this web site to report the problem. Be very clear and accurately communicate the location and the circumstances. [1] Who do I talk to if I am having problems receiving my mail? You can contact the U.S. Postal Service. The closest station is right next to Casablanca at 9245 Twin Trails Drive. You can phone them at (800) 275-8777. [1] Can the manager open my unit if I forget my keys? NO. Neither the property manager nor the security personnel has keys to your unit. Every front door lock and storage closet door lock (patio or balcony) is different from all other units and these locks/keys are the sole responsibility of the unit owner or resident. TIP: A suggested locksmith is Village Lock & Key (858) 748-1277 This locksmith is familiar with Casablanca. [1] Where do I put my garbage if the dumpsters are full? The dumpster are emptied three times every week. If one side of the dumpster is full, then open the lid to the other side and deposit you trash. Do not just throw it on top of overflowing garbage and do not place your garbage next to the dumpster. This attracts rodents and insects. If trash is left on the ground, you can and will be fined. [2] Where can I dispose of furniture, mattresses or large objects? You can call any of the charitable organizations or take the large items to the dump. Do not put beds, furniture or large items in our dumpsters, (which cannot accommodate them) or next to the dumpsters. If you leave the aforementioned items in a dumpster or next to a dumpster, you can and will be given a written violation notice and fined. In addition, you will pay all additional costs incurred by the association for removing the objects you left for disposal. [1] Can I have pool parties? NO. The maximum guests any unit can have in the pool at any one time is four (4) guests. Renting the clubhouse does not include the use of the pool. [2] Can my friends use the pools? Yes, but only if you are with them and only a total of four (4) friends per unit. Your friends must comply with all associations rules while using the pool and it is the responsibility of unit owner/resident to make them aware of these rules and to monitor their behavior. You must have your pool key and green tag with the correct unit numbers on both when are in a pool & spa area. Either one, the key or the tag alone does not allow you access to the pool areas. If the key and tag do not match with your unit number, the key will be confiscated and your pool privileges suspended for a time. [1] Can I post signs outside my unit? NO. You may not post any signs outside your unit. The only type of signs allowed are either one "For Sale" or one "For Rent" signs. They may only be placed inside in one window of your unit. There are not to be any signs or banners attached to the stucco, wood railings or stuck in the ground at any time. If you are selling your unit - please inform your real estate agent of this restriction. [2] Where can I post personal signs or flyers? You cannot. No personal signs or flyers are allowed. Any that are posted will be removed immediately and you will receive a violation – with a possible fine. [3] Can I hang a flag outside my unit? YES. Only the American flag is allowed to be flown in our community. No other type of flags are allowed. The flag must be displayed in a flag holder attached to either the window wood trim or the side of a patio or balcony wood railing. This is the only item that is allowed to be attached to any common area structure. [1] Can I fence in or enclose some of my balcony or patio? NO. The addition of anything to enclose a patio or balcony will not meet our existing architectural criteria and is therefore not permitted. [1] Can Property Patrol watch my unit while I am on vacation or are out of town? NO. Our Property Patrol employees are not security guards or law enforcement personnel. The Peñasquitos Casablanca Owner’s Association is not responsible for providing security. If you want your unit closely watched, hire a house sitter or make arrangements with a neighbor. [2] What precautions should I take before going on vacation? It might be advisable to ….
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