FAQ
Q: What is the responsibility of the Summer Hill Maintenance Corporation?
A: As a community we are all responsible for the well-being of the neighborhood. It is up to each of us to properly manage his or her property in a responsible manner.
The Summer Hill Maintenance Corp is primarily responsible for the following:
· Snow removal.
· Private Open Space grass cutting.
· Island maintenance and Repairs.
· Deed restriction violation warnings and reporting.
· Maintenance Dues collection.
· Website management.
Q: Is the Summer Hill Maintenance Corporation responsible for any of the following:
· Street repair and repaving.
· Garbage Collection.
· Foreclosed or abandon homes grass gutting / home maintenance.
· Civil disturbances.
· Criminal conduct, misdemeanor activities, and vandalism.
· County violations.
A: No. The Summer Hill Maintenance Corporation is not responsible for the management, implementation, execution and scheduling of any of these items. If you experience any of these issues or concerns, please contact the appropriate New Castle County department that manages these items. A list of phone numbers and contact information can be found on the New Castle County Web Site
​
Q: How do I report a street light that is not working or a pothole?
A: New Castle County's App Download can help with this
​
Q: How do I report Property Maintenance Violations?
​
A: Go to the New Castle County Website Click Here
​
Q:Why do we pay so much for dues considering we have a surplus?
A: The Board Members concluded that $115 per year is a reasonable cost to sustain the upkeep and management of our community. This cost is considerable less than our neighboring communities. Norwegian Woods pays approximately $175 annually. We should not forget that approximately five years ago, we were running a negative budget with dues of approximately $90 per year and service cost has dramatically increased since then. We have been fortunate that Mother Nature has given us a good stretch of good times in terms of weather, which resulted in some financial savings. We should keep in mind that those good fortunes can turn for the worst just as easily as they came and we could be scrambling for funds if we’re not prudent with our financial management. The Board Members believe the smart thing to do is, keep the cost of annual dues at $115 until the cost of doing business requires us to increase it. However, if we realize a surplus equal to 50% of annual income (~$9000), then we will reduce the cost of annual dues by approximately 20%.
Q: Will our dues be raised because of rising operation cost?
A: Our near term plan is to keep the annual dues at $115.00 (See FAQ #4)
Q: How can I contact the Board Members?
A: You can reach the Board Member in writing by sending an e-mail on the Community Website.
Q: What is a maintenance corporation?
​
A: A maintenance corporation is a legal entity comprised of all lot owners in a subdivision. It is required in communities that have open space or other common facilities that are to be owned jointly by the homeowners. The Corporation is responsible for maintaining the open space and common facilities specified on the record plan and in the maintenance declaration.
​
​
Q: What happens if the maintenance corporation refuses to accept the open space or refuses to organize?
​
A: Joining a maintenance corporation after you have accepted the deed to a lot is not an option. If a community fails to organize or accept the land, through no fault of the developer, the County will make the necessary improvements. New Castle County has authority to enter the premises for the purpose of maintaining the common facilities to comply with the Code. If the land is owned by the maintenance corporation, the County may place a lien on each home in the subdivision until it recovers all cost incurred by maintaining the open space or common facilities.
​
​
Q: How does a maintenance corporation make assessments?
​
A: Once the budget has been approved according to your bylaws, the collection of assessments may commence. Written notice is sent to the owner of each lot indicating the amount owed. If the governing body does not have the names and addresses of all of the lot owners, this information can be obtained from the developer or County Tax Assessment Office.
​
Q: What if a homeowner does not pay the annual assessment?
​
A: By accepting the deed to a lot in a subdivision with a maintenance corporation, an individual automatically becomes a member of the maintenance corporation. Thus, the homeowner is now obligated to pay the annual assessment. If the homeowner fails to pay the annual assessment or any “special” assessment, the maintenance corporation may place a lien on the homeowner’s property.
​
Q: Should my community have insurance?
​
A: New Castle County does not require insurance on open space or insurance for the governing body. Insurance coverage may be in your community’s best interest. The governing body should discuss insurance options with reputable insurance agents and assess the risks that the corporation and the governing body may be subject. For additional information, you may contact the Insurance Commissioner (see useful phone numbers).
​
Q: Who is responsible for snow removal after the roads are dedicated to DelDOT?
​
A: DelDOT will not clear snow from residential streets. It is up to the members of the community to arrange for snow removal. DelDOT will provide reimbursement for snow removal under certain conditions.
​
Q: How does a Maintenance Corporation qualify for snow removal reimbursement?
​
A: The Delaware legislature adopted House Bill No. 544, as amended, on July 1, 1996. This bill stated the Department of Transportation shall be responsible for reimbursing certain eligible organizations up to seventy-five (75) percent of its costs for snow removal services within residential developments or communities. A policy statement is issued each year. Your community must register with the Department of Transportation by the first of November of each year, by contacting DelDOT at (302) 760-2085.
​
Q: How does a community get streetlights installed?
​
A: The establishment of a special tax assessment district may authorize streetlights in residential areas by action of the County Council. A petition must be signed by fifty one percent (51) percent of the lot owners within the subdivision. To obtain a street light petition form, call New Castle County Treasury Department at 395-5083. The homeowners will be taxed for the cost of the electricity.
​
Q: Who should be contacted for speed bumps?
​
A: Speed bumps are funded by your State Senator or State Representative through his or her suburban street fund account. If your community is interested, please contact your district’s elected State officials.
​