What Are Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Townhouse Owner?

So, you’ve got your own townhouse now. But are you aware of your rights and responsibilities as a townhouse owner? There’s more to living in this kind of housing type than knowing you need to pay your dues and be a good neighbor. Here’s everything you need to keep in mind while living in a Courtyards at Golden Horizon home.

You can be a responsible neighbor and homeowner by remembering the following responsibilities you have as the owner of a Courtyards at Golden Horizon townhouse:

• Attend meetings held by the homeowner’s association - Doing so allows you to stay on top of any changes to rules & regulations and updates regarding the community. You can also participate in these meetings and offer your suggestions for improvements when prompted. 
• Pay any association dues, membership fees, and special assessments - The cost of owning a townhouse doesn’t just end at buying the unit itself. You also have to pay regular fees that go to either the maintenance of amenities, salary of the property management’s staff, or taxes. 
• Perform periodic maintenance on the unit - Maintaining the integrity of your unit doesn’t just benefit you and your safety, but your neighbors as well. You should make sure that you have a maintenance schedule in place to ensure that everything in your home is in tip-top shape.
• Settle the annual Real Property Tax fees - Real Property Tax is collected from homeowners annually and is used by local government units (LGUs) as a source of revenue. You can pay either once for the entire year or in quarterly installments.
• Participate in and support programs and activities organized by the homeowner’s association - Your homeowner’s association group will likely plan several projects that require resident participation, such as Christmas parties or clean-up drives. It’s recommended that you join in on these programs so you can mingle with neighbors and a portion of your monthly fees goes to organizing them anyway. 

As per Republic Act 9904, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Associations, there are numerous rights that you as a homeowner are entitled to. The bill was sponsored by former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and approved by the Senate in 2009. 

Here are the important rights that you need to be aware of as a Courtyards at Golden Horizon townhouse owner:

• Avail of and enjoy all common areas and its amenities and facilities.
• Enjoy all basic community services and facilities, provided that they pay the required fees and other relevant charges.
• Inspect association books and records during office hours and to be provided upon request with annual reports, including financial statements.
• Demand and promptly receive deposits required by the association as soon as the condition for the deposit has been complied with or the period has expired.
• Should the unit be rented out, the lessee shall have the same rights as an owner, provided there’s a written consent or authorization from the owner of the townhouse.
• Participate, vote, and be eligible for any elective or appointive position in the association subject to meeting the qualifications set.
• Participate in association meetings, elections, and other events for as long as membership status is current.
• Enjoy all other rights stated in the association bylaws.
• Adopt and amend the articles of incorporation and bylaws, rules, and regulations.
• Regulate the use, maintenance, repair, replacement, and modification of common areas, for as long as these adhere to the approved subdivision plan.
• Defend or intervene in litigation and/or administrative proceedings affecting the welfare of the association and the subdivision/village as a whole.

These are just a few of the powers and rights you’re given as the owner of a townhouse. It’s necessary to keep these in mind so that you can help maintain the peace and order of the Courtyards at Golden Horizon community.