Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
A: WCIA is a non-profit corporation registered with the State and managed by a duly elected Board of Trustees. A homeowner's association is a generic name for the same thing. The purpose of WCIA (a homeowner's association) is to maintain all common areas, and to govern the community in accordance with the provision of the legal documents: CC&Rs (Deed Restrictions), Bylaws, and Articles of Incorporation. The governing legal documents for the association may be viewed online within the Resource Center page of this website. The corporation is financially supported by all property owners of WCIA. Membership is both automatic and mandatory. The Walden Social Network (now a WCIA Committee,) promotes and sponsors various social activities for residents of Walden on Lake Conroe.
A: The Deed Restrictions (Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions or CC&Rs) are the governing legal documents that set up the guidelines for the operation of the planned community as a non-profit corporation. The Deed Restrictions were recorded by the County recorder's office in Montgomery County and are included in the title to your property. Failure to abide by the CC&Rs may result in a fine to a homeowner by the Association, or action by the Association's legal representative. The governing legal documents for the association may be viewed online within the Resource Center page of this website. Deed Restrictions vary by Section, and can be found in the Resource Center page of this website.
A: The Bylaws are the guidelines for the operation of the non-profit corporation. The Bylaws define the duties of the various offices of the Board of Trustees, the terms of the Trustees, the property owners voting rights, required meetings and notices of meetings, and the principal office of the Association, as well as other specific items that are necessary to run the Association as a business. The Bylaws for the Association may be viewed online within the Resource Center page of this website.
A: The Homeowner's Association is a corporation, and therefore a governing body is required to oversee its business. Each year, some of the members of the Board of Trustees are elected by the property owners in November. The limitations and restrictions of the powers of the Board of Trustees are outlined in the Association governing documents found within the Resource Center page of this website.
A: Walden on Lake Conroe has adopted many Board Policies as provided for in the Deed Restrictions (CC&Rs) and adopted by the Board of Trustees. Rules are established to provide direction to the property owners for common courtesies with regard to maintenance of your home and various activities in Walden on Lake Conroe. In addition, Walden on Lake Conroe has adopted Architectural Control Guidelines with procedures for submitting requests to make exterior changes to your home. Such changes may include patio covers, decks, landscaping, exterior color changes or room additions. These rules and guidelines are set up to maintain the aesthetic value and integrity of the community on behalf of all owners, and to protect the market value of your investment as well. Violations of these rules may result in action by the Board of Trustees. In addition, if you proceed with an exterior improvement or change without written approval of the Architectural Control Committee, you may be required to remove or correct the alteration. For more information about this topic visit the Resource Center page of this website.
A:Residents should attempt to solve problems with their neighbors themselves first through neighborly means. If this approach does not work, the Association may be able to help, under certain circumstances. Should you have a situation that does not appear to be resolved by talking with your neighbors, or by other neighborly means, and you are willing to actively participate in the enforcement provided by the Policies and Guidelines, you may complete a Deed Restriction Violation form online, which may be found in the Deed Restrictions page in the Community Information section, as well as the Management Contacts page in the Contacts section of this website. If the situation is deemed in violation of the Policies and Guidelines, the Board of Trustees may find that property owner is in violation of the Deed Restrictions, and institute the enforcement policy. Your continued assistance may be required.
A: Yes. Notice of the time and place of any regular board meeting will be posted on the Marquee located at the entrance to Walden. The Board Meeting Agenda is posted to our website, 72 hours in advance of the meeting. You may also reference the information online under Community Information, then select the WCIA Board of Trustees page. Board meetings are generally held on the third Thursday of each month at the Yacht Club, beginning at 7:00 p.m. All residents are welcome to attend! If you have an item that you would like the Board to consider, please contact the General Manager at the Association office at (936) 582-1622 at least one week prior to the Board meeting.
A: There are many volunteer opportunities in Walden, some are Association Committees and some are Independent Organizations, such as the Ladies Association of Walden and Men's Association. Reference your Walden newsletter for a listing of current member contacts for these Associations.
The Walden Social Network (WSN) is a Board approved committee, as is the Architectural Control Committee (ACC). To learn more about the WSN, see the Activities & Recreation Page, and for the ACC use the Architectural Control link on the Quick Links Menu on our home page. You may also reference the WCIA Committees page in the drop down menu under Community Information, for both Committees. To volunteer, simply click on the Volunteer contact form on any of these pages, and we will contact you shortly. Thank you for your interest!
A: The Maintenance Fee (also called the assessment) is the annual amount due from each property owner to cover operating costs of WCIA amenities, as well as capital improvements to buildings and equipment owned by the Association. This includes maintenance of the common areas in the community, and provides for reserve funds for replacement and refurbishment of buildings and facilities in future years. Your Maintenance Fees are due on the first of January, and are delinquent if not paid by January 31. Statements are sent each year on or about October 1 for the next year's Maintenance Fees, with the amount due for the Maintenance Fee, and any other charges on your account. If these Maintenance Fees are not paid timely, property owners may be offered the option to sign a Payment Plan in certain circumstances. Please contact the Association office for further details at (936) 582-1622.
A: The community develops a budget each year to set aside specific amounts for the operation of the Walden Yacht Club, the Pool, the Walden Racquet Club and Fitness Center, two gated boat ramps, the playground and ball field, hike and bike trails, the Administration building, along with several other common area parcels. The Association bears the cost of maintaining road rights-of-way, certain easements and esplanades, the main entrance to Walden, landscaping, as well as maintaining properties owned by the Association. Specific expenses include supplies, utilities, maintenance and repairs, payroll, taxes and benefits, insurance, professional services, legal expenses for collection efforts, deed restriction enforcement, security and audit fees.
Reserve funds are monies set aside for major repair and replacement (as opposed to the routine repair) of Walden's amenities. The Fund is used to replace major equipment, replace or repair major components such as roofs, parking lots, air conditioners, renovations, and other major repairs. As an example, the Yacht Club renovation was paid for from this fund. The annual amount contributed to this fund is determined by a Reserve Study done by an outside firm specializing in reserve fund studies, and is adjusted for new items that would require long-term repair and replacement.
Each year, budgets are developed by the staff and the Board of Trustees and are adjusted periodically to meet anticipated expenses. Maintenance Fees are delinquent after January 31, and are subject to late charges and other collection expenses, as provided by applicable law. Your deed Restrictions require that this fee be assessed uniformly, regardless of size, location, or use, whether a vacant lot, house, townhouse or condominium unit; and whether the owner resides here full-time, part-time or not at all. Thus, the maintenance fee rate is not based in any part on property value, but solely on the budgeted needs of the Walden community as determined annually by your Board of Trustees.
The Deed Restrictions of certain sections allow a discount to multiple lot owners of certain types of property. Your annual statement will reflect the proper discount, where applicable, based on the deed records on file with the Association. Certain sections within Walden have an additional maintenance fund requirement set forth in their Deed Restrictions, and an additional Section Association exists for each of these areas. Properties located within Section 5, 6, 7, 7A (71),10,11,16, and the Estates (19) are subject to these additional Maintenance Fees. These fees vary per section and are included on your WCIA maintenance fee statement. They are payable to the Walden CIA.
A: There is no concrete answer to this. Although there has not been an increase in several years, the Board of Trustees may approve an increased budget, thereby increasing your Maintenance Fee up to the budget increase in order to cover increased costs of operating and maintaining the common area and providing for sufficient reserve funds.
A: The maintenance and management services incurred by the Association are dependent upon timely receipt of the Maintenance Fees due from each property owner. Late payments will result in a late charge and interest. As allowed under Texas state law, access to Walden amenities will be terminated, your account may be turned over to our collection attorney, and you will then owe attorney fees and expenses. The attorneys’ fees and expenses can run into thousands of dollars. In addition, the Deed Restrictions allow the Association to charge late charges and interest, and proceed with a lien on your property or foreclosure proceeding for nonpayment of the Maintenance Fees, if necessary.