What is a condominium?
The term condominium is often confusing to people. The term does not mean a type of housing e.g. apartment, townhouse or freestanding home. All of these examples and others could be a part of a condominium association. The term condominium refers to the governance and ownership of the dwelling and property by an Association to which the owner of the dwelling is a member. Below is a definition of condominium ownership from The Woods at Auburn Lakes Disclosure Statement.
The term “Condominium” does not refer to a form of architecture, rather, Condominium ownership is a property right which, in effect, combines two older forms of ownership. The condominium Unit Owner is (1) the sole owner of a portion of a building which comprises his or her living quarters and (2) one of the many mutual owners (legally speaking “tenants in common”) of Common Facilities which serve his or hers and other living quarters and of Common Areas and Facilities which the Unit Owner may use and enjoy along with other Unit Owners.
Each individual Unit Owner has an “undivided interest” in the Common Areas and Facilities which means that all Unit Owners have a share in the ownership of all Common Areas and Facilities. An undivided interest gives the Unit Owner the right to share in the control of all the Common Areas and Facilities coupled with the responsibility to pay a share of the expenses of operating and maintaining these Common Areas and Facilities which sets Condominium ownership apart from other forms of property ownership.
A Unit Owner may also have the exclusive right to the use of a portion of the Common Areas and Facilities and such right is referred to as “Limited Common Areas.” Limited Common Areas are perpetually reserved for the use of one or more Units to the exclusion of the remaining Units. A Unit Owner owns his or her Unit similarly in many respects to the manner in which the owner of a private single-family residence owns his or her home. The Unit Owner owns a fee simple estate in the Unit, is entitled to the exclusive possession thereof, and may obtain a mortgage loan and use his or her Unit as security for such loan.
Who manages the community property?
The Woods of Auburn Lakes properties are managed by Carlyle Management Company / R.N. Landis Management Company.
What safety forces serve the community?
The community is serviced by the Geauga County Sheriff’s Department. Auburn Township does not have its own police department. Fire protection and EMS service is provided by the Auburn Township Volunteer Fire Department.
What utilities serve the community?
Some of the utilities that serve our community are:
Electric – The Illuminating Company
Home Heating (Gas) – Dominion Energy
Sanitary Sewer – Geauga County Sewer
Water – Aqua Ohio Water Company
Cable TV, Internet, Telephone (Landline only) – Spectrum, Kinetic by Windstream (this is only a partial list)
Satellite TV – DirecTV, Dish TV
Who collects garbage and recycling within the community?
Trash collection is provided by Waste Management as contracted by the Association and is included in the maintenance fee. Trash is collected weekly.
Trash collection does not include recycling. Recyclable material, e.g. glass, plastic, cans, paper and cardboard, can be dropped off at the Geauga County Recycling Center located at the Bainbridge Township Highway Department, 17800 Haskins Rd., next to Settlers Park.
Are the residents of the community permitted to have pets?
Residents of the community are permitted to have domestic house pets, e.g. dogs and cats, within the restrictions outlined in the Association’s Bylaws. All pets must be accompanied by a resident and leashed when outdoors. Pet owners are responsible for “pet clean-up.”
Are the roads within the community public or private?
Auburn Lakes Drive (the main road from East Washington St. to the Pointe Breeze cul-de-sac) is the only public road within The Woods and is maintained by Auburn Township. All other roads are private and are maintained by the Association.
Why does the community have a Chagrin Falls mailing address?
Residences within the community are serviced by the Chagrin Falls post office, zip code 44023. Mail may be addressed by either using “Chagrin Falls” (the most common) or “Auburn Twp.”
Is there a vehicle parking restriction within the community?
The Woods does have vehicle parking restrictions as outlined in the Association’s Bylaws
Are residents permitted to garden?
Planters and plant pots are permitted on decks and patios as outlined in the Association’s Bylaws.