Homeowners' associations (HOAs) such as The Lakes serve as the backbone of many residential communities, ensuring that neighborhoods remain orderly, visually appealing, and harmonious. By establishing clear rules and regulations, HOAs aim to foster a sense of shared responsibility among residents. By maintaining shared amenities and enforcing community standards, HOAs play a pivotal role in enhancing the overall living experience for everyone involved.
Your Role and Responsibilities in an HOA
Being part of an HOA comes with both privileges and responsibilities. While the association works tirelessly to manage and maintain the community, members share a duty to uphold the rules and standards that have been collectively agreed upon when you purchased your property.
Maintaining these responsibilities ensures the seamless operation of the association and fosters a sense of pride and ownership among members.
Rental Homes and HOA Responsibilities
For homeowners who rent out their properties within The Lakes HOA, it is important to note that responsibility for the property’s upkeep remains with the homeowner, not the renter. This means ensuring that landscaping, exterior maintenance, and adherence to HOA rules are consistently upheld, regardless of tenant occupancy. Neglecting these duties can lead to fines and affect the overall appearance and harmony of the neighborhood.
Homeowners are encouraged to communicate HOA expectations clearly to renters to foster compliance and avoid misunderstandings. Ultimately, homeowners remain accountable for ensuring their rental properties contribute to the community's aesthetic and standard of living.
As a member of The Lakes HOA, you are an integral part of this collective effort, contributing to the shared vision of fostering a harmonious and well-kept environment.
The Impact of HOAs on Property Values
Sticking to these responsibilities helps keep The Lakes looking great and strengthens the community as a whole. Things like mowing your lawn regularly, pulling weeds, and keeping yards neat play a big part in maintaining the overall charm of the area. Plus, staying involved with your neighbors and participating in HOA activities builds a sense of teamwork and mutual respect. When everyone pitches in, our community thrives and feels like a place we can all be proud of.
One of the most compelling benefits of an HOA is its influence on property values. Communities with active and well-functioning HOAs tend to see increased stability in home prices. By ensuring that landscaping, architectural standards, and common areas remain in pristine condition, HOAs contribute significantly to the overall curb appeal of the neighborhood.
Moreover, HOAs often enforce regulations that prevent disruptive or unsightly behaviors, protecting the integrity of the community's aesthetic. This vigilance not only attracts potential buyers but also enhances your investment's long-term value.
We are lucky to have wonderful facilities in The Lakes such as our pool, gym, parks and playgrounds, pickleball/tennis/basket/volleyball/racquetball courts, and the Beach and Tennis Club as a whole. By pooling resources, HOA members gain access to amenities that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive for individual homeowners.
As a Lakes HOA member, you directly benefit from these features, which provide recreational opportunities, foster social interactions, and promote a healthy and active lifestyle—all cornerstones of a thriving community.
Our common areas are an important part of our community. These shared spaces, such as our greenbelts, parks and finger parks are meticulously maintained for the enjoyment of all residents. They not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the neighborhood but also serve as gathering spots that enrich community spirit.
HOAs are responsible for ensuring that these areas are safe, clean, and welcoming. Through your contributions and support, the association can continue to maintain these spaces to a high standard, creating a pleasant environment for everyone.
As members of The Lakes, we share a collective responsibility to preserve and enhance the community we call home. Through our efforts and dedication, we contribute to better property values, enjoy remarkable amenities, and benefit from well-maintained common areas. Together, we can ensure that our association remains a beacon of excellence and pride.
Thank you for being an essential part of this effort. Your commitment makes all the difference in shaping the future of our wonderful community.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me; 480-838-1023.
Christine
We are currently experiencing a Golden Algae bloom, which is responsible for the dead fish floating around the lake. We are not the only lake experiencing an outbreak. Several lakes in our immediate area are experiencing golden algae blooms as well.
Our lake doctor, Dr. Rick Amalfi, has been here to observe and test the lake. He and I are keeping an eye on the situation and plan on treating the lake again next week. We are diligently scooping out fish every day. Pease be patient as we work on the clean up.
I have had calls about the dead fish and floating algae, so I asked our lake doctor to write a letter to our homeowners addressing our current situation and what we are doing about it. Golden algae is something we have lived with for several years as well as many other urban lakes have. We are not alone in this situation. We have a good protocol in place for addressing this problem and all I ask is for homeowners to be patient while we work through this bloom.
Here is Dr. Amalfi's letter to me.
Christine:
I understand that several residents of the community are unhappy with the condition of the lake and are looking for an explanation. Please allow me to review what is happening in the lake, as well as at other urban lakes in the immediate and surrounding areas, and what we have done and plan to do.
Remaining weeds: Several herbicide applications were made using appropriate products designed to kill the weeds in the lake, sago pondweed. Dye was also added on numerous occasions to reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the deeper water to inhibit plant growth. The last herbicide applications were made in early autumn, at the end of the period when water temperatures are still conducive to uptake of the chemicals. The chemical often causes the dying plant to dislodge and float to the surface. Because the air and water temperatures are reduced, natural breakdown is quite slow, and the debris tends to collect in downwind areas. Additionally, because of golden algae, the population of White Amur (weed-eating fish) has been very difficult to maintain and impossible to increase. Additional White Amur were added to the lake several months ago. They are sterile fish (required by State law) and do not reproduce. They are highly susceptible to the toxin produced by golden algae, and we have experienced major losses in the past and we are experiencing losses now.
Golden Algae: Yes, the lake once again has golden algae. We performed a pro-active treatment at The Lakes of Tempe several weeks ago, but the longevity of such treatments is sometimes relatively short. The alga can form protective cysts and re-establish after the algaecide has precipitated and is no longer effective. The Lakes of Tempe community is not alone. Several lakes in the immediate area have golden algae and have lost hundreds of fish. Two west-side community lakes have also had positive golden algae tests.
What causes the golden algae to occur in some lakes and not others is unknown. The alga may have requirements for certain water chemistry that is found in some lakes and not others. Conversely, the alga might be naturally excluded by one or more factors in some lakes and these factors may be absent in lakes where it survives and flourishes. Although many researchers are working on the cause and elimination of the problem, no definitive answers exist.
Golden algae can enter the lake via birds, ducks, the water source, and by transfer through contaminated (exposed to a lake with golden algae) boats and fishing equipment. Additionally, as noted above, golden algae can form chemically-resistant cysts that can remain dormant until environmental conditions are re-established for survival and growth. The simultaneous presence in three lakes within a few mile radius suggests it may be in the canal water or being distributed by waterfowl that frequent the lakes in the same area. Operation of aeration systems, fountains, or circulation pumps appear to have little or no impact on the golden algae. It has been found in lakes supplied with canal water, treated wastewater, surface water (lake and river), and groundwater even including well water and recharged and recovered wastewater. The toxic alga has broadened its temperature tolerance and salinity range over the past 12 years. Salinity seems to no longer control where it can develop, and we can find it throughout the year with the exception of July and August when water temperatures are extreme. It is adapting.
Response: We are doing everything we can to minimize adverse effects of nuisance algae, toxic algae, submerged weeds, and midge flies. Christine and I have been in constant communication to minimize delays in response to any issue. She has been very supportive and responsive to any material resources we require. Algae outbreaks and weed growth have been addressed by physical (dye), chemical (algaecide/herbicide), and biological (fish) management, midge flies are monitored and addressed by fish stocking and larvicide additions, and water is constantly monitored for presence of golden algae with treatments made to eliminate it from the water. When practical, fish are the preferred biological management method for weeds and insects in preference to chemicals. Please note that there is no known biological control of golden algae.
We plan to treat the lake next week for reduction or elimination of golden algae. We are also evaluating use of an early season herbicide that can be effective for an entire growing season, so long-term weed issues can be avoided even with limited White Amur.
Please remember that these issues are common to all lakes including natural lakes. A lake's response to natural biological disturbances becomes exaggerated in a small, artificial system. Issues tend to be more noticeable in urban lakes because they are in our backyard and constantly noticed. All lakes, natural or artificial, can be prone to odors, algae blooms, toxic algae, insect infestations, and fish kills too. These are unfortunately the occasional downsides to having the beauty, serenity, and recreational resource of a lake outside your door.
Respectfully,
Rick Amalfi, Ph.D., C.L.M.
Christine