An Association or Condominium is a non-profit corporation of property owners formed for the purpose of maintaining the common property. Associations are governed by a Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and Condominiums are governed by a Master Deed and By-Laws. All owners, by virtue of their ownership of a property are members of the Association or Condominium Regime. Each owner, by acceptance of a deed to the property shall be members of the Association/Condominium Regime and shall be subject to the recorded documents.

The Directors are owners that are elected by the members at the Annual Meeting of Owners. During the original development and construction of the property the developer normally serves as the Board until such time as temporary appointments are made by the developer. Board Members are volunteers and make decisions on behalf of the owners.

The Board has a fiduciary duty to prepare and adopt an annual budget, levying and collect assessment, provide for the operation, care, upkeep, and maintenance of those portions of the common property as provided in the documents. The Board Members are the decision makers for the Association and they provide the policy for the management company to follow in accordance with the documents.

As the management agent we handle all daily operations including but not limited to the following:

• Schedule/attend meetings of the Board;
• Schedule/attend annual membership meetings;
• Prepare all meeting agendas;
• Draft meeting minutes;
• Prepare and mail to all members materials for the annual meetings and other information as requested by the Board;
• Prepare bid specification, coordinate bids and the preparation of contracts for the review of the Board for all
• normal day to day service contractors;
• Obtain quotes for insurance on the common property including general liability and directors and officers coverage;
• Coordinate all insurance claims;
• Maintain all records as required by applicable Federal and State Laws;
• Provide billing and collection efforts as directed by the board and/or documents;
• Process and pay all ordinary expenses and obligations out of the Association's funds;
• Handle all correspondence relating to business matters;
• Provide periodic inspections of the common property as they relate to the ordinary, day-to-day operations
• including supervision of the vendors for landscaping, pest control, refuse removal and other similar services
• included in the budget;
• Handle rule enforcement including any fines that the Board has approved. Many of the document restrictions are different so it is important that you review these documents
• prior to the purchase the property. Your sales agent or developer can provide you with an advance copy of the
• Covenants or Master Deed outlining the restrictions of the property.

Your governing documents will spell out the restrictions for any exterior changes including rules established for painting, screening porches, pools, fences, sheds, satellite dishes and other similar items. There is usually language in the documents referring to an (Architectural Review Committee or Board of Directors who make this determination. To view a community's governing documents visit the Communities tab and select the name of your community.

Homeowner disputes need to be settled between the owners involved. There is nothing in the governing documents that provide the Board with the power to handle such disputes. We suggest if you cannot solve a problem with open communication with your neighbor that you contact the local authorities to see if they may have Livability Court as a means to settle the dispute.

Each year an annual budget is adopted based on the expenses necessary for the upkeep of the common property such as landscaping, pond maintenance, insurance, utilities, administrative costs, reserves for future projects, etc. Your assessment is based on the amount necessary to fund these expenditures. All owners are members of the Association and are required to pay their share of the costs as stated in the community documents. The timing of the payment is dictated by the documents and may be annually, quarterly or monthly. To view a community's governing documents visit the Communities tab and select the name of the community.

Yes. Credit card and electronic check options are available 24/7 in your community portal. Simply use the Login Button at the top of the page or visit the Communities tab to locate your community. Register for a new account or log in as a returning user to view your account balance and make payments.

Prefer to pay over the phone, call 888-598-1067. You'll need your account number and property zip code. (Service fees of 2.85% for credit cards and $2.95 for e-check apply)

Payments by mail should be directed to:
(Your Community Name)
c/o Ravenel Associates, Inc.
P. O. Box 63073

Charlotte, NC 28263-3073

Additionally, owners can sign up for an automatic draft (ACH) from a checking or savings account by completing an ACH Draft Authorization Form and returning it to our office by fax, email or regular mail. This option is a service of Ravenel Associates, Inc. and is free of charge.

Click here for additional detail on payment options

Each owner is liable for any assessments as outlined in the documents. These amounts shall be the personal obligation of each person who is the owner of the unit at the time when the assessment fell due and may be collected in the same manner as other debts or liens are collected under South Carolina law. If any assessment becomes delinquent, the Association, acting through the Board of Directors, may institute suit to collect all amounts due pursuant to the provisions of the documents. Some documents also suspend the owner's right to vote and/or to use the Common Elements.

On-street parking is prohibited in most communities by the documents and violators will be fined. There are some streets that are public and this would be handled through the local governmental agency. You should refer to your documents to see if there is any language about parking limitations.

Owners are required to provide the rules and regulations, including any restrictions, to their renters. Renters must comply just the same as an owner. Violations letters are sent to the renter and the owner and any fines are posted on the owner's account. Please note that any fines collected for the use of the Association and do not go to the management agency.

Alligator removal used to be provided by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and they would only remove one that created a hazard to people and pets. This normally happens when people feed them. We are now required to hire a licensed "trapper". Remember they were here first and normally do not create a problem. If you have concerns, you should contact our office and we will have someone check it out.

There are Associations that have codes, fobs or gate openers for various amenities or access into the property. Normally, these are assigned to the property and should be transferred to the new owner upon a sale. If you do not request this at closing you may be charged an additional fee to purchase these items. Make sure you request this from the seller of the property. To obtain a new code, fob or gate opener please contact our office at 843-768-9480.

Pets must be on a leash and under your personal control and supervision. Most Associations and the local government have strict leash laws. For specifics please review your community's governing documents by visiting the Communities tab and selecting your community from the list.