Responsibilities Overview
Clarifying what the HOA covers and what falls to individual homeowners.
A Note from the President
Over the past year, the Board has received several questions regarding what falls under HOA responsibility versus what remains the responsibility of individual homeowners. To provide clarity and reduce confusion moving forward, we are sharing this simple overview. Our goal is to ensure expectations are clear, communication is productive, and issues are directed to the appropriate party from the outset.
HOA Responsibilities
The HOA is responsible for common areas and community-wide obligations as defined in the Covenants. These include:
- Maintenance of neighborhood entrance and signage
- Common landscaping areas
- Lake and related common elements
- Pond and irrigation systems serving common areas
- Contracted services (e.g., tree care, landscaping, lake management)
- Enforcement of recorded covenants and architectural standards
- Financial management of Association funds
The HOA is not responsible for issues occurring on private property or personal disputes between neighbors.
Homeowner Responsibilities
Each property owner is responsible for their private lot, home, and personal property. These include:
- Driveways, sidewalks, and exterior home maintenance
- Roofs, windows, siding, and landscaping on private property
- Drainage issues originating on private property
- Utility service lines serving the home
- Snow and ice removal from private driveways and sidewalks
- Resolving personal disputes with neighbors
Neighbor-to-Neighbor Issues
If an issue involves private property, noise, drainage between lots, pets, or personal conduct, these matters fall outside the HOA's authority. The Board does not have legal jurisdiction over private disputes and cannot enforce resolutions between neighbors. Such matters must be addressed directly between homeowners or through the appropriate local agencies listed below.
| Issue Type | Agency | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Code violations, property maintenance | Neighborhood Code Compliance | 260-427-1127 |
| Road or public drainage concerns | Allen County Highway Dept. | 260-449-7369 |
| South Maintenance Supervisor | Hal Williams | 260-449-4791 |
| Non-emergency disturbances | Allen County Sheriff | 260-449-3000 |
| Emergency | Call 911 | |
Residents are encouraged to speak directly and respectfully with neighbors first whenever appropriate.
For details on exterior modification guidelines and the approval process, please see our Exterior Improvements page.
Questions?
Have questions about common areas, covenants, or community guidelines? The Board is here to help.
Thank you for helping keep Scotia a well-maintained and neighborly community.
Last updated: February 22, 2026