These are some of the frequently asked questions about Oakwood and the OHA. If you have a question that is not answered here, please feel free to contact the OHA.
- Must OHA homeowners pay dues to the OHA?
- What is OHA dues used for?
- How are the dues for the OHA established?
- When are OHA Dues due?
- Where should the payment be mailed?
- Are there penalties if I do not pay my dues?
- What if I do not pay a late fee?
- Who should I contact if I have questions on my dues?
Annual Dues
- What is a clearance letter?
- Why do I need a clearance letter?
- How do I obtain a clearance letter?
- How long before my closing should I call?
- What happens if I owe money or have an OHA placed lien on my property?
- What happens if I purchased a home in Oakwood and learn that there are outstanding OHA dues or fees or that I have a lien on my property?
Clearance Letters
- Who owns Lake Charles?
- Why does Lake Charles exist?
- Who may use Lake Charles?
- Do I have to register my boat if I put it on Lake Charles?
- May I swim in Lake Charles?
- Is fishing allowed in Lake Charles?
- Where and what is the Eastern Shoreline?
- May I use Westman Beach?
Lake Charles
Must OHA homeowners pay dues to the OHA?
Yes, every homeowner in Oakwood must pay dues. This is established in each deed for OHA property and recorded by the DuPage County Recorders Officer.
Return to questionsWhat is OHA dues used for?
The single largest expense of the OHA is our landscaping contractor that mows the grass on all OHA common areas. This contractor also removes weeds from the beach area, trims trees, etc. OHA dues are also used to pay contractors to clean goose droppings from the Beach area, to spray for algae on Lake Charles, etc. Some OHA dues go for social events, for example the annual OHA Picnic in September. The OHA also publishes the Oak Leaf and OHA Directory.
Return to questionsHow are the dues for the OHA established?
Each fall each committee chairman of OHA committee’s prepares a detailed budget. The OHA Board of Directors reviews these budgets, in detail. The OHA Board insures that each committee’s expenditures represent the plans of the OHA for the coming year. The total of the combined budgets divided by the number of homes in Oakwood determines the yearly dues per homeowner.
Return to questionsWhen are OHA Dues due?
Invoices for OHA dues are mailed out during the last two weeks of May. The payment is due by June 30th.
Return to questionsWhere should the payment be mailed?
Payments for dues and all mail sent to the OHA should be mailed to the below address:
Oakwood Homeowners Association
4 East Ogden Avenue, #313
Westmont, Illinois 60559
Return to questionsAre there penalties if I do not pay my dues?
The step the OHA Board has used to collect unpaid dues is established by the OHA CC&R’s. These steps are below:- A late charge of $10 dollars is applied to all payments received by the OHA after July 15. This is two weeks past when the payment is due.
- Interest is applied to the unpaid balance at the maximum legal rate.
- Statements will be sent monthly, reminding OHA residents of their unpaid balance.
- All clearance letters for homes with unpaid balances will include details of the owned debt. Lending institutions will not mortgage or refinance homes until this debt is cleared.
- A lien will be recorded will be recorded with the DuPage Recorders Officer for each home with an unpaid balance as of March 15th of the following year. (7.5 months after the dues is due)
Return to questionsWhat if I do not pay a late fee?
As per the rules listed in question 6 above, the OHA has to charge a late fee of ten dollars if a dues invoice is paid late. The invoices are due on June 30; however, the OHA does not assess the late fee until he invoice is overdue by 15 days or more. The late fee must be paid. If an OHA member pays the original invoice but not the late fee, then the late fee is retained on the OHA records. Due to the small amount, the OHA only send out statements on unpaid late fees once a year and assesses interest on the late fee twice a year. All clearance letters for homes with unpaid late fees include the late fee amount. This fee must then be paid prior to closing on the home.
Return to questionsWho should I contact if I have questions on my dues?
Contact the OHA Treasurer. The Treasurer is currently Jerry Harlow (325-2213). You may also email the OHA at OHA@oakwoodha.org.
Return to questions
Annual Dues
What is a clearance letter?
A clearance letter is a letter signed by an officer of the OHA stating what outstanding dues or other funds a specific homeowner owes to the OHA at a specific period in time.
Return to questionsWhy do I need a clearance letter?
Banks and lending companies want to legally be first in line to collect if a homeowner defaults on his mortgate or declares bankruptcy. If a homeowner owed the OHA dues or other funds when an Oakwood home is sold or a new mortgage is obtained, then the OHA becomes legally first in line and not the lender. Therefore, the lender will require a letter during the closing that states either that the homeowner owes nothing to the OHA or, if a balance is due, what that amount is. The bank will require that the title company collect the balance due and send it to the OHA as part of the closing process.
Return to questionsHow do I obtain a clearance letter?
Call the OHA Treasurer. Currently (as of May, 2006) this is Jerry Harlow, (630) 325-2213. Updated contact information is also available on this website.
Return to questionsHow long before my closing should I call?
The OHA Board will do everything they can to provide a quick turnaround on all requests. However, they do allow the Treasurer to go on vacation and to leave town for other occasions. Please allow at least two weeks for a clearance letter. The OHA does not have the ability to fax; therefore, at a minimum, you must allow time for us to mail you the letter via US mail.
Return to questionsWhat happens if I owe money or have an OHA placed lien on my property?
If there is a current OHA balance due, you have two options. The recommended option is to pay the OHA the amount due before the closing so we can issue a clear clearance letter. This greatly simplifies your closing. The second option is to have the title company collect the funds at closing and forward them to the OHA. In either case, the lender will require you to pay the funds before they will close on your house.
If you have a lien on your property, contact the OHA attorney at (630) 455-0500. The attorney will not remove the lien until you pay all balances including the fee for removing the lien.
Return to questionsWhat happens if I purchased a home in Oakwood and learn that there are outstanding OHA dues or fees or that I have a lien on my property?
It is the responsibility of the title company used during closing to verify that there are no liens on the property and to collect any outstanding funds due to the OHA. The new owner assumes all liability for the debt if not collected during the closing. The new owner's recourse is to contact the title company and the previous owner who not disclose the debt. The outstanding dues and liens can be resolved with the OHA as per above. ---
Return to questions
Clearance Letters
Who owns Lake Charles?
Lake Charles is owned by the Oakwood Homeowners Association, which is made up of the owners of the homes in Oakwood. Lake Charles is maintained by the Lake Management Committee, a group of dedicated volunteers.
Return to questionsWhy does Lake Charles exist?
Lake Charles is a 15 acre lake that serves as the primary water retention facility for Oakwood storm sewers and for some areas surrounding Oakwood. During heavy rains, water collects in our lake then exits via an overflow dam to Salt Creek.
Return to questionsWho may use Lake Charles?
All residents of Oakwood may use Lake Charles. The lake is fishable from both boats and from the eastern shore line. Members who do not live adjacent to the lake may launch and tie up their boats at designated locations on the Eastern Shoreline.
Return to questionsDo I have to register my boat if I put it on Lake Charles?
Yes, all boats on Lake Charles must have an OHA boat permit. A free boat permit can be obtained from the chair of the Lake Management Committee. As of May 2006, this is Ken Brennen, (630) 323-5493.
Return to questionsMay I swim in Lake Charles?
Swimming is not permitted in Lake Charles. The Oakwood Homeowners Association does not have the proper facilities or supervision to permit swimming.
Return to questionsIs fishing allowed in Lake Charles?
Fishing is allowed from both boats and the shoreline. Residents who do not live on the lake may fish off the fishing piers on the Eastern Shoreline. Since Lake Charles is a private lake, a Illinois fishing license is not required for residents.
Return to questionsWhere and what is the Eastern Shoreline?
The Eastern Shoreline is the wooded area on the east side of Lake Charles. This section of the shoreline is open to all Oakwood residents. Enter the Shoreline via a path at the end of Baltimore Avenue. A wooded path, flowers, and bushes make this a nice place to walk or to sit and enjoy Lake Charles.
Return to questionsMay I use Westman Beach?
Yes. Westman Beach is part of the common area owned and maintained by the Oakwood Homeowners Association. Although swimming is not permitted, a nice sandy beach is a fun place for children to play. Benches are also available for a rest while you view the Lake.
Return to questions
