FAQ's
Can I put out donations in front of my unit?
As long as you have a scheduled pick up date, you may put your donations in front of your unit the morning of the pickup. Contact AMI and let them know that you have donations outside for pickup because someone may report you for having garbage out too early. If the day passes and the donations were not picked up, you must remove them from the front yard; they cannot be left overnight.
Can I use the Associations dumpster?
No. Co-owners, guests, and contractors are NOT to put trash or yard waste into the Associations dumpster. Anyone seeing doing so will receive a violation.
If you feel like you have a special circumstance, you can contact AMI and ask for permission to use the dumpster. Approval is not guaranteed.
Can I put up decorative lights around my fence?
You can hang decorative lights off of the fence; however, you are NOT allowed to put any nails, screws, etc into the fence boards, brick, or siding. You may only string the lights on the fence up to the gate; absolutely no lights should be strung over/on the gates. Nothing should impede the landscapers from coming into the backyards.
Why is the City of Rochester Hills taking down Association trees?
There are several trees bordering Canterbury Trail, Hillendale, and Longford, that lie on the city's easement. If the city Arborist determines that a tree is decaying and needs to be removed, they will (on their own timeline) take the tree down. They will also trim these trees on their 7-year schedule; they will not come out and trim the trees because someone doesn't like the way the tree looks.
After speaking with the Arborist, he made mention that on several occasions, he has been confronted by co-owners who are opposed to taking trees down. This should never happen; please do not engage with any city official. The City of Rochester Hills does not remove trees without reason; if they are damaged and pose a threat to the right-of-way, or more importantly property, the tree will be coming down.
DTE has not done us any favors with their trimming of the Maple trees along Hillendale and Canterbury. Their large cuts have allowed decay to enter in a number of trees along their power lines. The trees are the wrong species to coexist with the power lines; they are too tall at maturity and too fast growing.
Why is the air temp in the indoor pool so hot?
Pristine Pools completes the daily maintenance of our pools and the facility; we defer to them and their expertise for such matters.
Pristine has advised us of the following:
It is warm in there for sure but that's how it has to be. Technically it is recommended that the indoor air temp be kept 3-5 degrees above the water temp. This is done for two reasons; to prevent the swimmers from freezing when they get out, but more so to prevent extreme humidity issues.
The indoor pool water temp is kept at 90 degrees, so we obviously cannot have the air temp 3-5 degrees higher than that; that would be entirely too warm. The current air temp is set for 82 degrees and does increase 5-6 degrees when the heaters turn on; however, the air temp goes back down shortly after the heaters turn off. The thermostats have to stay at this temp; if not, the windows, ceiling and floor will literally begin to sweat and the floor will become dangerous. Lowering the temperature just one degree would create issues, even with the exhaust fans going.
Imbalanced room air temp and water temp can cause corrosion, condensation, mold, mildew and poor air quality affecting swimmers comfort and the building integrity. During the summer it's a little different but during the colder months, the room has got to stay hot.
Do I need to tell anyone that I am renting my unit?
Yes, you MUST contact AMI to get the Associations approved lease agreement before any agreement is made with potential renters. Our community is only able to have 33 rental units, so if we have already reached that number, you will not be allowed to rent your unit.
How do I get my renter a key fob?
If your renter would like to purchase a key fob, the unit owner must contact AMI to request the fob. Once the fee is paid and a completed pool waiver form is returned to AMI, the owner of the unit can pick up the fob; we will not give the fob to the renter. It is also the owners responsibility to inform the renter of the rules and regulations associated with using Stratford Manors pools. If, at any time, the renter does not follow the rules and regulations or causes any damage to the pools and/or pool areas, the unit owner will be held responsible.
If a co-owner decides to give their renter their key fob instead of having them purchase one, AMI MUST be made aware so the renters can complete a Release Form. The co-owner should NOT give their renter the key fob until a Release Form is on file with AMI.
How many key fobs can be purchased per unit?
Each unit is allowed to purchase two additional key fobs.
My unit does not have a garage. Can I store my bike in front of my unit?
No, you are not allowed to store personal items in the front of your unit. Per Article VI, Section 6 - Aesthetics, which states in part: The Common Elements, Limited or General, shall not be used for storage of supplies, materials, personal property or trash or refuse of any kind, except as provided in duly adopted rules and regulations of the Association.
Am I allowed to use a fire pit/table in my backyard?
No, you are not allowed to use fire pits/table or any item with an open flame any where in the community. Per Article VI, Section 6-Aesthetics of the Bylaws, Fire Pits or any type of open flame (tiki torches and the like) are NOT allowed in the community. Report violations to AMI or the Rochester Hills fire department.
I would like to start a construction project in my unit, can I rent a dumpster and park it in my driveway?
To request a dumpster for renovation, you must contact AMI for approval first. For units with a driveway, the dumpster cannot overhang the driveway or impede the sidewalk. For units w/out a driveway, the dumpster must be placed in parking lot and not obstruct reserved co-owner spots. Dumpster is allowed for 30-days; extensions will be approved on a case by case basis.
Construction debris is NOT allowed in the Stratford dumpster. Anyone violating this rule will be fined.
I would like to landscape my front and backyard, do I need approval before I begin work?
Short answer.....YES.
Co-owners are not allowed to perform any landscaping or plant any trees, shrubs, flowers or place ornamental materials upon the common elements without prior approval. You must complete a Modification Request with AMI and receive approval from the Association before any work is started. You don't need approval to plant annual flowers in pots or in the ground; however, you MUST remove all of the dead material.
ALL trees, shrubs, perennial and annual flowers in the privacy yards MUST be maintained by the resident. Such maintenance shall include timely removal of dead material and trimming of any growth which may impede passage through gates and yards or which may cause damage to buildings, fences or utility wires.
Flower boxes and planters MUST be removable and not permanently attached to a unit or common element (including fences). Such flower boxes or planters shall not be placed or displayed in any way which will disrupt maintenance or landscaping of the Association grounds. After seasons end, all plants must be removed and disposed of and pots must be put away for the winter and not stored in the front yard of your unit.
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