Assessment Billing
Types of Assessments
General Assessments
$500 per year in 2022
Assessments are billed annually but are paid in two installments.
Initiation Fees are required at every closing.
Late payments are subject to a $10.00 or 10% late fee, whichever is greater, and a 10% interest penalty per the POA amendment.
Special Assessments
Special assessments can be levied in the event of an unexpected expense.
The Association’s Reserve account is designed to avoid special assessments as much as possible, creating a savings account for capital improvement and major maintenance projects, such as road repaving and pool resurfacing.
There are no special assessments in 2022.
Specific Assessments
Specific assessments are unique to one or more particular owners and are due to a service or benefit that is "specific" to that home.
The Reason for Assessments
Assessments ensure your community can operate effectively, paying all the operational expenses and accumulating reserves for future projects such as pool resurfacing.
Assessments are used for maintenance of common areas including the clubhouse, pool, common area landscaping, etc.
Home and lawn maintenance is the responsibility of the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay my Assessments?
For your convenience, Homeowner Management Services (HMS) offers several payment options.
Payment choices include check, money order, and online payments such as recurring payment options, e-check, or credit card payments.
Credit Cards accepted online are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover.
Please note there is a 3.25% administration fee is charged by the credit card processor. That fee does not go to Creekside at Scarborough or to HMS.
You may Sign In to our website at www.HMS-inc.net to pay assessments or review your account.
Mail Payments to: Creekside at Scarborough HOA, Inc., c/o HMS Payment Center, P.O. Box 908, Commerce, GA 30529
Please do not send correspondence to the payment processing center address.
HMS will not receive written correspondence sent to the Processing Center.
Send all written correspondence to: Creekside at Scarborough HOA, Inc., c/o HMS Inc., P.O. Box 2458, Alpharetta, GA 30023-2458
How do I check my Account Balance?
When you Sign In to your HMS Community Website, you will have 24/7 access to your account balance and transaction history. Click here to Sign In.
When did I agree to pay assessments?
Every owner is a member of the Association. When you purchased your home you agreed to participate in the Association and make timely assessment payments.
Information on the requirements of your Association is recorded in the county records.
Who, or what, determines the amount of my assessments?
The Board of Directors works with the management company to determine the necessary budget items.
The budget total for each type of home divided by the number of homes determines the monthly assessment.
Where is the money deposited?
Your association has an operating account in the name of your Association that is not commingled with other properties.
Homeowner Management Services facilitates payments; however, all funds are deposited directly into the Association's operating account.
What is a special assessment?
Special assessments can be levied in the event of an unexpected expense.
The reserve account is designed to avoid special assessments as much as possible, creating a savings account for capital improvement and major maintenance projects such as road repaving and pool resurfacing.
What is a specific assessment?
Specific assessments are unique to one or more particular owner and are due to a service, or benefit that is "specific" to that home.
How can I see the budget?
This website is public, so annual budget information is available to the Association members.
All owners must Sign In to the HMS Community Website to view this type of information.
Are my dues escrowed?
Escrow is a process of a homeowner's mortgage company collecting funds in advance and ultimately distributing payments associated with the ownership of the property.
Some mortgages require property taxes and insurance to be "escrowed".
Assessments due to the Association are never escrowed.
Assessments are always paid to the Association through the management company.
Do I owe assessments if I just purchased my home this year?
At closing, the attorney prepares documents that collect assessments.
In most cases, the assessments are paid at closing through the end of the month.
The following month, the new owner owes the assessments.
Refer to your personal closing documents for complete information.
What is an initiation fee?
Initiation fees are capital reserve contributions that are collected from new owners at the closing table.
They are a separate line item from the regular assessments.
Who do I call when I have questions about my balance or I am having difficulty paying?
Homeowner Management Services has a dedicated accounting team available to answer any questions.
Penalties for Late or Delinquent Payments
Prompt payments are critical to the health of your Association, and your Board of Directors takes this responsibility very seriously.
Late Fee and Interest: Any Assessment that fails to post by the due date shall bear interest from the date of delinquency at a rate of 10% per annum. Late fees will also be assessed in the amount of $10.00 or 10%, whichever is greater.
Amenities: Failure to remit timely payment in full may also result in the suspension of membership rights, including the right to vote on association items, to attend social functions, and to use recreational facilities.
Lien: In the event of a delinquency, there will be an automatic lien on your property.
Legal Action: Non-payment can also result in legal action, including garnishment of wages, bank accounts, or other legal action to the fullest extent of the law. All costs of collections will be charged to the homeowner’s account.