Why this matters (30-second read)
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HOA insurance costs increased 473% since 2020
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Insurance now consumes 35% of all dues
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Current documents do not allow the HOA to legally fix this
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Without amendments, a court-appointed receiver is a real risk
A receiver can raise dues and impose assessments without homeowner approval.
What your consent does
✔ Keeps financial control with homeowners
✔ Helps avoid court intervention
✔ Allows lawful, transparent budgeting
✔ Protects long-term property values
Proposed Amendments
Amendment 1
Resale Contribution Fee
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Small fee (0.5%) paid by buyers at closing
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Adjustable once per year, capped at 1.5%
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Would have added over $100,000 to the 2024 budget — without increasing dues for current owners
Amendment 2
Modern Materials & Sheds
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Allows modern fences and roofs that last longer and cost less
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Cuts HOA maintenance and replacement costs
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Allows ARB-approved sheds behind fences, within size limits
Amendment 3
Limited Dues Increase in Shortfall Years
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Keeps the current 5% cap for normal years
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Allows up to 10% dues increase only when there’s:
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A budget shortfall, or
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Underfunded reserves (based on a professional reserve study)
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Triggers a strict essentials-only budget with full transparency
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Example: Instead of a $20 annual increase, it could be up to $40 — only if needed due to a shortfall or underfunded reserves
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Prevents major dues hikes by addressing issues gradually
Amendment 4
Deficit Assessment Protection
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Emergency option to prevent court-appointed receivership
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Allows a deficit assessment in a given year only if:
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The budget covers only essential expenses
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There’s still a shortfall
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Ensures the HOA stays in control — not the courts
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Requires essentials-only spending and clear homeowner communication all year
Amendment 5
Stronger Rental Standards to Protect the Community
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Requires background checks for all renters
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Bans short-term rentals and blocks high-risk tenants
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Owners must live in the home for 12 months before renting
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Landlords pay added assessments to offset tenant impact on common areas
Amendment 6
Contract Oversight & Conflict Prevention
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Major contracts must be reviewed and rebid every 3 years
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Prevents vendor conflicts of interest by ensuring they can’t use homeowner privileges to avoid accountability or influence HOA decisions
📄 Helpful Resources
If you’d like to review the materials before signing, here are the links:
• Financial Crisis FAQ:
Need help understanding what the Financial Crisis is all about?
• Interactive Q&A Chat (Instant Answers Anytime):
This chat is available 24/7 and can walk you through any questions you have about the amendments and explain how they work. It’s extremely knowledgeable and designed to give clear, accurate explanations based on the amendment materials.
Interactive Q&A Chat (Instant Answers Anytime)
• Full text of all proposed amendments (Owner Portal Documents):
Log into https://portal.hoaemt.com
Go to Documents on the menu --> Governing Documents --> Proposed Document Changes -->
Document titled "Highlands HOA Amendment Revisions May 2025; v3.pdf"
Full Text of Proposed Amendments
• Existing governing documents (Owner Portal Documents):
Log into https://portal.hoaemt.com
Go to Documents on the menu --> Governing Documents
• Video presentations (Owner Portal Dashboard):
Log into https://portal.hoaemt.com
Scroll down on the dashboard for the video presentations titled "State of the HOA" and "Proposed Amendment Changes"