Why do I have to pay dues?
The CHBA Restrictive Covenants require all homeowners and successors to pay dues.  All homeowners are assessed the same annual fee.  NOBODY is treated differently.  You were required to sign an agreement to pay the dues when you closed on your home.  If you did not, it is the fault of the seller or Title Company.  You must take this matter up with them. 

What are the dues for?
Dues are used to pay for a number of things.  Generally the dues are used to make the neighborhood more pleasant and raise property values.  Dues are primarily used to pay for upkeep and maintenance of the common areas of the neighborhood and power bills for the street lights.  Additionally, the dues pay the property tax and insurance bills for the common areas. 

You're Kidding! All that money goes toward lawn mowing and street lights?
No, actually not all of it is used for the landscape maintenance and street lights.  Most people are surprised to find out that the power for the street lights costs approximately $10,000.00 per year.  Landscape maintenance costs another $4300.00 per year.  Water bills for the common areas are another $700.00 per year.  Insurance and property tax run approximately $2,500.00 per year.  Attorney's fees are approximately $1,750.00 per year.  An accountant to handle the billing, go over the books to make sure all expenditures are above board, and do taxes costs $2,000.00 per year.  The newsletter, neighborhood block party, Christmas party, Halloween parade, Christmas luminaries etc., use most of the rest of the available funds. It all adds up very quickly. 

What happens if a homeowner decides not to pay their dues?
The quick answer is that it gets expensive for the homeowner and a creates a lot of work for everybody involved.

It is not fair to the homeowners who do pay, that some try to live in the neighborhood without paying their fair share. Should a homeowner ignore their dues obligation, our accountant will send out a series of notices informing the homeowner that they are over due, and that late fees have been added to the dues.  If the homeowner has not replied to the notices, the accountant will send a certified letter informing them that they are in danger of having a lien placed on their home. Next, the Homeowners Association lawyer will send a letter that informs the homeowner that they have been contacted by the Association and asked to place a lien on the homeowner's property. Finally, a certified letter arrives informing the homeowner that a lien has been placed on the homeowner's property. To remove the lien, the Homeowner must pay all dues and late fees, lawyer's fees, recording fees, and a few small legal fees. It can get expensive.

I'm moving.  Why should I pay dues?
The quick answer is that all homeowners must pay their dues whether they are moving, living in the home, or using it for a rental property.  If dues are not paid, the board has the ability to place a lien on the offending homeowner's property.  The lien will complicate and delay the sale of the home. 

The real answer is the dues are used to improve the neighborhood and increase property values.  The value (sale price) of every home in the neighborhood is increased by the efforts that are available because of neighborhood dues.  Check with any real estate agent.  Our neighborhood is one of the fastest growing, most desirable areas of Mobile County.  This desirability is reflected in the resale price of all of our homes.  Part of the reason our homes are increasing in value so quickly is because of the benefits available through the dues we pay each year. 

When are the homeowners meetings?
Semi-annual homeowners meetings are held in December and late spring.  Meetings are announced with signs at the front entrance and on the web site.  All homeowners are welcome and encouraged to attend. 

I have a suggestion or complaint.  How can I contact the board?
1. Drop a letter to the association at:
Colonial/Bakerfield Homeowners Association. 
312-T Schillingers Rd., #163
Mobile, AL 36608

2. Send and e-mail. E-mail addresses for all board members are on the Home page.

3. Go to the homeowners meetings and make the suggestion. 

Will there be any more common areas in the neighborhood?
John Howard Homes promised to deed a common area to the Homeowners Association, but did not. There are no undeveloped plots left in the neighborhood.  

How many homes will there be in the neighborhood?
That depends on whether the neighborhood continues toward Airport Boulevard or stops with the homes already built. Bakerfield has no more room to grow, but Colonial Hills could extend all the way to Airport Boulevard. That decision will be made by John Howard. We have approximately 270 homes now but there could be more.

Where can I get information on the size of my lot, my neighbors lot, the neighborhood layout, etc.?
Go to the City of Mobile "Maps & Facts" web page. (Keep zooming in and even your lot dimensions will be visible)