FAQs

What is a Homeowners Association (HOA)?

A Homeowners Association, also known as a Property Owners Associations or Community Association, is a private, non-profit corporation formed during the development stage of a subdivision. The purpose of Homeowners Association is to maintain the subdivision and preserve property values. Any property purchased within a Homeowners Association is subject to mandatory membership in the Association. HOAs provide services that may not be available otherwise, such as streetlights, trash collection, and recreational amenities.

If I buy a home within an HOA, do I have to belong to the HOA?

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

What is a lifestyle community?

Lifestyle communities promote certain services, amenities, and social events for its residents. Other lifestyle communities may be centered around family and include swimming pools, parks, and host family friendly events. Country Village has an active group of community clubs that homeowners are encouraged to join. You can find more information at www.countryvillagehoa.org/clubs.htm 

Who is Crest Management? What role does the management company play for my community?

Crest Management has been hired by the Board of Directors to assist in the daily management of the community. Crest prepares the financial statements, mails out invoices, and collects payments. Crest performs deed restriction inspections, mails out letters, and reports back to the Board of Directors. Crest coordinates meetings documentation, writes meeting minutes, and maintains the books and records of the Association. Crest conducts common area property inspections and works with the Associations contractors to ensure the property is maintained. To learn more about Crest Management you can visit our About and Services page.

Where is the Crest office located and what are the hours?

Our office address is 17171 Park Row, Suite 310, Houston 77084. Our office hours are Monday – Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Who is the Crest Management contact for my community?

Your management team can be found on your community’s page and your homeowner dashboard. To locate the Community Page you can use the “Community Search”.

Who do I report an after-hours emergency to?

After hours emergencies can be reported by calling 281-579-0761. Our after-hours answering service will collect information regarding the nature of the emergency and pass the information along to the management team. Examples of after hour emergencies are if a homeowners has rented the clubhouse and when they arrived the air conditioner does not work or homeowner is reporting a major irrigation leak.  

Please contact the constables (281-463-6666) immediately  if you have or see a safety or security issue. You may also contact the constables with instances of traffic violations within the neighborhood, loud or rowdy neighbors (after dark)

How long does it take for my Crest team to respond to me?

Our goal is to respond to all phone calls and emails within one business day.

Can I contact my Board Members directly?

Board Members are volunteers and are not available to be contacted directly on a daily basis. However, all Board of Directors meetings are open to members and most meetings have a time for homeowners to speak directly to the Board. If the matter is time sensitive, we encourage you to contact your management team who can contact the Board Members immediately, if needed.

What role do the Board Members play for my community?

The powers and duties of the Board of Directors are defined in each Association’s governing documents. Generally speaking, the Board Members are responsible for making decisions on behalf of the Association. Board Members set the annual assessment rate, see to it that the deed restrictions are enforced, and enter into contracts for community services under the Association’s jurisdiction, i.e., landscape maintenance, trash collection, pool management, etc..

How do I become a Board Member for my community?

An election is held at each annual meeting. Prior to the annual meeting, a Solicitation of Candidates will be sent to members advising the number of positions to be elected and instructions of how to register as a candidate. To ensure you receive the solicitation, make sure you are registered to receive email notifications of meetings.  

Who are my board members?

Your board is made up of homeowner volunteers that are elected by the Association members. Volunteer board members are not available to contacted directly on a daily basis, but you may contact our office with your questions or concerns, use the Contact Us feature on the website, or attend an upcoming board meeting to meet the board members in person.  

What is my account number?

Your account number can be found on your dashboard. Just login to your account and all information you need is there for you.

What is my management code and association ID?

The management code and association ID can be found on your statement. You can print/view a copy of your statement on your homeowner dashboard. For your homeowner dashboard, simply login to your account and you can find direct contact information under “View Statement”.

How do I pay my assessments?

Assessments can be paid online, by mail, or in person. We do not accept payment over the phone. We do not accept cash.

Credit cards are only accepted online (not in person or by mail). There is a processing fee of 2.95% of the charged amount. You may also pay online with an eCheck with a $1.95 processing fee per payment. 

Check or money order can be mailed or paid in person at our office. Checks and money orders should be made payable to your Association (not payable to Crest Management). Please write your account number on the check or money order and include the statement stub.

Payments can be mailed to:
<Association Name>
c/o Crest Management
PO Box 219320
Houston, TX 77218-9320
Be sure to include your property address in the Memo line.
 
Payments can be made in person at:
Crest Management
17171 Park Row, Suite 310
Houston, TX 77084
Be sure to include your property address in the Memo line.
 
Our office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday (closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Fridays).

When is my assessment due? 

CVHOA bills annually with a due date of January 1st and a late fee starting on February 1st.  

How do I find out my balance?

Login to the Crest Management Homeowner Portal and your balance will be on your dashboard. You can also view or print a statement to see the detailed balance. 

Can I set up a payment arrangement?

You may split your payment into three installments paid in advance of the due date (November, December, January) 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.  

What is the assessment rate for my community this year?

The assessment rate can be found on your community page.  To locate the Community Page, you can use the “Community Search”. You can also login to your Homeowner Portal.  

How is the assessment rate decided for my community?

Each year, the annual assessment fee 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.   

What do my assessments cover?

In general, assessments 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. Our assessment also covers constables and trash/recycling service. 

Does my mortgage company escrow my Homeowners Association assessment?

Please contact your mortgage company to confirm the terms of your escrow with them.

How do I submit an application for a modification to home or property?

Applications can be submitted right from your dashboard. Simply log in to your account and select Exterior Modification Request Form.

What is an EMR, ACC?

The Architectural Control Committee (ACC/EMR) is made up of community volunteers. This committee reviews the ACC/EMR (Exterior Modification Request) when you want to make a modification to your home to ensure the proposed changes are within the rules and regulations of the association.  

Why do I need to apply to make modifications to my home or property?

The rules and regulations of an Association are designed to protect the beauty and value of the Association and each of its members. To ensure architectural standards are maintained to protect current and future owners, an application must be made and approved prior to any modifications being made.

What types of modifications do I need to apply for?

Any modification to the exterior of your home. This includes major changes like room additions and minor changes like paint color, installation of gutters, and/or landscape changes. This also includes modifications that may not be visible from the street like storage sheds and swimming pools.

Do I permit from the city or county for my modification?

Depending on where your home is located. Each city and county require different things with most cities having more stringent permitting requirements than unincorporated areas.  We recommend that you check with the city or county in which you reside to ensure you understand the requirements in advance.

Where do I obtain a lot survey for my property?

The lot survey should have been provided to you at closing. Depending on how long ago you purchased your home, you may be able to obtain a copy from the title company.

How long does it take for Exterior Modification Request to be processed?

Each Association has their own allowed timeline which can be found in the governing documents; however, 30 days is the norm.

Can I pay deposits needed for Exterior Modification Requests via credit card?

All deposits must be paid by check or money order. Make sure to include your property address and a description of what the deposit is for. Deposits can be mailed to our office at Crest Management, PO Box 219320, Houston, TX 77218-9320, or dropped off at 17171 Park Row, Suite 310, Houston, TX 77084.

How do I check the status of my Exterior Modification Request?

Login to the homeowner dashboard to see current EMRs and their status. For your homeowner dashboard, simply login to your account.

Why does my HOA have rules?

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.

What are CC&Rs?

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

How do I obtain a copy of my governing documents?

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

How are the deed restrictions enforced?

Crest is contracted to perform one deed restriction inspection per month. The inspection is conducted during business hours and letters are mailed within one business day. We realize that some violations may only occur in the evenings or on weekends, so photo evidence can be provided to our office of these violations. 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’s account. This would require notice to the owner and an opportunity to correct the violation themselves prior to action being taken. The specific notice time varies by community and can range from 5 to 15 days

What is policy for parking on the street in my community?

The streets are public and street parking is permitted. Violations would include parking in the wrong direction, parking too far from the curb, or impeding someone’s driveway. These violations would be enforced by local law enforcement rather than the HOA. Inoperable cars should not be parked on the streets or in driveways for long periods of time. They will be subject to a deed restriction notice. 

What amenities does my community have to offer?

The amenities, addresses, and any associated hours of operation can be found in the services section of the community page. Country Village has a pool, wading pool, playground, tennis courts and a basketball court.  

How do I get access to my community’s amenities (pool, park, fitness center, etc.)?

Select Pool/Access Device Form. Please note that you must be in good standing with the Association to gain amenity access, so check your balance on your dashboard before submitting your request.

How do I find the hours to my amenities?

The amenity hours of operation can be found in the services section of the community page. 

How do I report issues I see in my community?

Contacting our office has never been easier! Simply log in to your account and click Service Request on your dashboard. Complete the simple form and your management team will be notified immediately. 

Please contact the constables (281-463-6666) immediately if you have or see a security issue.

What do I do if I receive a deed restriction letter?

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 call or email us with a specific request. If you have any questions about the violation or what you can do to correct it, please call or email your management team. 

What if I am unable to resolve the violation in the time allotted?

Give us a call or email and let us know what’s going on. Some requests can be approved immediately by the management team while other lengthier requests may require board approval.

How often is my community inspected?

Inspections are conducted one time per month during business hours.

Does my community allow individuals to have garage sales?

No. The Community hosts two neighborhood garage sales (October & April). Information and sign-ups will be available on our website, via email & signage in September and March.  

Please contact your management team directly for additional information.  

Are commercial vehicles allowed in my community?

What constitutes as a commercial vehicle? The rules of the community can be found in the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) and in supplemental policies. All of the governing documents are available to you on the community page of our website. If your community prohibits commercial vehicles, the information will be contained in the documents and will include a description of what constitutes a commercial vehicle.

Are board meetings open to all residents?

Board meetings are open to all residents though there will be limited speaking opportunities. If you have a specific matter you wish to discuss with the board, please contact your Community Manager at least seven days in advance so they can include it on the agenda. The board does have the right to go into executive session to discuss specific topics (personnel matters, litigation, contract negotiations, enforcement actions, confidential attorney communications, matters involving the invasion of owners’ privacy, and matter involving parties who have requested confidentiality and the board agreed to honor that request). Any decisions made during executive session will be orally summarized and placed in the meeting minutes.

When is the next meeting for my community?

You can contact your management team directly to get meeting information.

When and where are my board meetings held?

Currently due to Covid safety protocols, Board meetings are held via Zoom the 3rd Monday of each month. Meeting agendas and Zoom links will be sent to each homeowner via email prior to the meeting. When In-person Board Meetings resume, they will take place in the Clubhouse. 

How do I make updates (reset password, change, email, etc) to my Homeowner Portal?

While logged in to your account, select your name in the top right corner of the screen, then select User Settings. Make the desired changes and log out of your account. Feel free to log back in to confirm. If you experience any issues, please contact your management team.

Does Crest store my login information?

No, Crest does not store your password. All passwords and databases are encrypted. If you have forgotten your password, we are not able to retrieve it. You can select Forgot Password and a new one will be sent the email address we have on file.

How secure is your website?

Yes, our website has an extended validation SSL Certificate from Norton Security, which is the strongest encryption certificate available.  This is evidenced by the web address beginning with https://.

Our system is set up to be a collection of individual sites with each Association having its own site. Each site has Association specific permissions outlining who has access and to what information.

How do I update my mailing address?

Submit your address change request by email or mail to your management team. Make sure to include your name, association name, property address, and new mailing address.

Does my community have an onsite office?

No, you will need to contact your management team at Crest. Your management team can be found on your dashboard. Simply login to your account and you can find direct contact information

How do I find out who is responsible for maintenance of certain items within my community (ie. Fence, sidewalks, empty lots, etc.)?

The rights and responsibilities are generally included within the CC&Rs which are available on your community page. But if you don’t feel like digging it up yourself, just contact your management team who is here to answer all your questions.

How do I report a streetlight that is out or flashing?

CenterPoint Energy 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 713-207-2222. You will need the number stenciled onto the pole or you can use the map feature on the website. If you report online, you can opt in to receive email notifications of their progress.

Does my association do repairs in the interior of my home?

No, the Association does not do repairs to the interior of your home. 

Who is my water company?

Your water company and contact information can be found in the services section of the community page.

Who is my trash company?

The trash company and contact information can be found in the services section of the community page.