Frequently Asked Questions

A property owners' association, or POA, is owned by the property owners in that particular community. The POA is governed by laws that apply to that association in particular and consists of a board of directors who have been appointed to make decisions.

There is a particular set of laws that govern POAs, and it is the responsibility of the members of that association to follow the laws as they have been laid out. The following laws apply to POAs in Texas:

• Texas Property Code, Chapter 202 - Construction and Enforcement of Restrictive Covenants.
• Texas Property Code, Chapter 204 - Powers of Property Owners' Association Relating to Restrictive Covenants in Certain Subdivisions.
• Texas Property Code, Chapter 207 - Disclosure of Information by Property Owners' Associations.
• Texas Property Code, Chapter 209 - Texas Residential Property Owners Protection Act.
• Texas Business Organizations Code, Chapter 22 - Covers the creation of nonprofit corporations. Because many POAs choose to be nonprofit organizations, this chapter offers guidance on exactly how the POA should form and operate their nonprofit organization.

There are some documents that are essential to a POA. These include:

• Subdivision plats - State the location of the various lots, easements, and common areas.
• Declaration of covenants, restrictions and conditions - Contains a list of the rights and responsibilities that the POA and the property owners owe to one another, along with limitations on exactly how the property should be used, built, and maintained.
• Articles of incorporation - Also known as a certificate of formation, this is filed with the Secretary of State so that it formally establishes the POA as a legal entity. It contains basic information about the POA as well as information on the board of directors.
• Bylaws - A list of instructions on how the property owners' association should be managed and run, including information on meetings, elections, and how the board of directors runs the POA.

You can view, download, and print all of these on our Documents page.

Yes. POAs are mandatory membership associations, meaning all current and future property owners are required to be members.

Annual dues are $500. See the Dues & Payments page for every way to pay.

Annual dues can be paid online, by mail, or over the phone. We accept checks, cash, cashier's checks, debit and credit cards, and e-checks. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Eastdale Property Owners Association.

Payments can be mailed to:

Eastdale Property Owners Association PO Box 209
Bullard, TX 75757

Be sure to include your property address and/or lot number in the memo line.

Credit card and e-check payments can be taken over the phone at 817-219-9210. We can also set up recurring payments as agreed upon when arrangements are made with the Treasurer, and that information is kept confidential. To arrange an alternative payment plan, contact [email protected] or call 817-219-9210.

Your annual dues are billed each year on March 1, due April 1, with a late fee if paid after May 1.

You may split your payment into three installments paid in advance of the due date (January, February, and March) with no need for paperwork and no additional charges.

If you wish to set up a payment agreement after the due date, you must submit your request in writing (email is sufficient). All payment agreements made after the due date are subject to administrative fees and interest. Please email [email protected] to make payment arrangements.

Entering into a payment plan will stop future accrual of finance charges and fees as long as the plan is paid as agreed. A payment plan will also protect your credit.

1. MarchInvoices for annual dues are sent to all members, with a due date of Net 30 and another 30-day grace period.
2. AprilReminder notices are sent to members with open balances. The notice includes a reminder that an Alternative Payment Schedule is available.
3. MaySixty days after the March invoice date, finance charges of 1.5% per month are assessed from the April due date, and finance-charge invoicing begins. A statement is sent showing the open invoices and finance charges owed, noting that charges will continue to accrue at 1.5% per month, that legal action will be taken in one year, and that an Alternative Payment Schedule is available to protect your credit. Monthly statements continue as charges accrue.
4. April, year twoA certified notice is sent of Intent to File Lien in 30 days.
5. May, year twoA lien is filed with the Cherokee County Clerk. A reminder call may be made prior to filing at the Treasurer's discretion, and a copy of the lien is mailed to the member via certified mail with return receipt.
6. May, year threeThe account is turned over to a collection agency.
7. May, year sixAn attorney is contacted to begin foreclosure proceedings.

The annual dues amount is reviewed by the Board of Directors during budget time to determine whether any changes need to be made to cover the expenses, planned improvements, and reserve contributions.

In general, annual dues pay for things like common area landscaping, amenity maintenance and operation, administrative costs associated with collecting assessments and enforcing the deed restrictions, insurance for the association, and legal expenses related to corporate and enforcement matters.

Dues also cover the funding of reserves, which are applied to future repair or replacement of major components for which the association is responsible.

After multiple attempts to notify the owner of the delinquency, the Deed Restrictions and Covenants provide an automatic lien. The association Board of Directors has the option to record the lien by filing a notice of lien with the county clerk office for the county the home is located in. After that, collection activities, including turning the matter over to a collection agency or attorney, could follow. Where there are common areas, those facilities' usage privileges may be suspended until the delinquency is satisfied.

Special assessments are extra, unusual fees that you may be charged by your POA board under certain conditions. They usually fall outside the POA's yearly budget to fund a capital improvement project. Examples include building construction, road construction, and maintenance that applies to the common areas of the community.

The association's rules and regulations are created to protect, preserve, and enhance the value of the overall community, as well as that of each individual owner.

The CC&Rs, or Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, are the rules for the association. They describe the rights and responsibilities of the association and of the property owners. The CC&Rs may be amended over time, and there may be supplemental rules and regulations adopted.

The governing documents are available to view, download, and print on the Documents page of our website. All documents are in searchable PDF format.

A series of letters is sent to the homeowner (and renter, if applicable) notifying them of the violation and providing a timeline for which it should be corrected. After approximately three months, if the violation still exists and arrangements have not been made for a time extension, the Board of Directors will consider taking legal action. The legal process begins with letters from the attorney's office and could continue to filing a lawsuit.

Some violations, such as mowing the lawn or removal of debris, can be corrected by the association and billed back to the homeowner. This would require notice to the owner and an opportunity to correct the violation themselves prior to action being taken.

Each letter notes a timeframe in which the violation should be corrected. If you correct the violation within that time frame, no further action is required and you do not need to contact our office. If you are unable to correct the violation within that time frame and need additional time, you should reach out to us with a specific request. If you have any questions about the violation or what you can do to correct it, please contact the board.

Cherokee County Electric maintains the streetlights. Burnt bulbs and ballasts are generally repaired within 3 days, while larger issues can take up to 7 days. Outages can be reported online or by calling 903-683-2248. You will need the number stenciled onto the pole or the address.

Electricity can be dangerous. If you see a fallen wire, stay away and call 911 right away. If someone affected by a power outage is dependent on oxygen, or there is another type of medical emergency, please call to report your power outage and call 911 for help if needed.

No, the association does not do repairs to the interior of your home. If you are still under builder warranty, you may contact the builder directly; however, the association and the builder are two different entities and are not related.

Southern Utilities 218 N Broadway Ave.
Tyler, TX 75702
903-593-2588
southernutilitiescompany.com
Office hours: 8am to 4pm, Monday through Friday

For reference only. Trash collection service provider is selected and managed directly by the homeowner.

Eco Waste Solutions

Republic Services 800-678-7274
republicservices.com

The POA Park is restricted to property owners, their family, and authorized guests. Owners must have their dues current to use the park and boat ramps. All guests must be accompanied by a resident at all times. Learn more on the Amenities page.

Yes. All vehicles must be registered and have their membership sticker visible on their rear window. To register your vehicle and receive your membership sticker, complete the vehicle registration form on our Documents page.