Resident FAQs

What is a HOA?

• A HOA, or Homeowners’ Association, is a non-profit group that enforces standards and guidelines for the community, and who makes financial decisions related to the upkeep and maintenance of the neighbourhood.
• A HOA may appeal to a home buyer who appreciates enhanced maintenance and preservation of their neighbourhood and who values resident involvement and decision-making

What are HOA Fees Used for?

HOA fees are used towards the maintenance of community amenities. Depending on the features in your community, this could include:

• Constructed wetlands and stormwater management facilities
• Wood screen fencing on major roadways and walkways
• Entry treatments, landscape features, fountains, and boulevards, and
• Additional items at the discretion of the Homeowner’s Association.

How Often do I Pay HOA Fees?

• HOA fees will initially be collected once at the time of lot purchase and are held in trust by MLC Group.
• When MLC Group transitions the community to the HOA’s Board of Directors, the HOA will begin to collect fees on an annual basis.
• An encumbrance is registered on the title of every lot ensuring that all property
• Owners are obligated to the HOA to sustain the long term maintenance of the community.
• *Please note: households may not opt out of HOA payments.

How Much do HOA Fees Cost?

*Please note: fees may vary across communities.

• The initial payment into the HOA is typically $250 per household.
• Once the HOA becomes active, then:
  • Fees will be charged annually
  • The annual amount will be determined by the community’s Board of Directors (which takes over from MLC Group), and
  • Annual fee amounts may be determined by the extent of maintenance and service provider consultations and contracts, as directed by the HOA.

When will the HOA Take Effect?

The HOA will take effect approximately one year before substantial completion of the entire development. Upon substantial completion of the development, the community will elect a Board of Directors, and the HOA will become active.

How can I Become a Member of the HOA?

Every homeowner is automatically a member. Homeowners can also volunteer to serve on the HOA’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is elected by the community. Each property will have one vote.

Current Status, by Community:

• No set date has been scheduled and is pending substantial completion of the entire development in the following communities:
  • West Secord
  • Keswick Landing

• The Desrochers Villages HOA Board of Directors will be elected at the first Annual General Meeting in the Fall of 2023. For more information on volunteer opportunities, please email us at hoa@mlcland.com.
  • Desrochers Villages Fact Sheet
  • Desrochers Villages HOA

• Turnover is complete in the following communities, only:
  • Allard in Heritage Valley
  • Graydon Hill
  • Keswick on the River

If you’re interested in volunteering for a pending HOA, please email us.

For the most accurate information, please visit the Edmonton Public (EPSB) or Edmonton Catholic (ECSD) websites for schools and yellow bus service information.

First, carefully read the landscaping questions booklet. If you still have questions, talk to your builder. Your builder is your first point of contact for all architectural questions.

How do I find out the status of my final approval?

All information for your final inspection has to come from your builder. The fastest way to get your final approval is via your builder.

Consult the architectural guidelines package for your phase to locate fence colours. Failure to comply with fence guidelines can impact deposit refunds.

Visit the City of Edmonton ETS page for the most up-to-date information.

Your builder is your first point of contact for all architectural questions!

Architectural guidelines are rules that ensure every new home built in the area looks good and meets the community standard. 

Architectural guidelines are necessary to:

• Protect your property value
• Prevent repetition of colour and style of homes on your street
• Ensure your new home community has a professional look and feel that will endure for years to come

Architectural guidelines may pertain to:

• Roof pitch (angle of your roof)
• Window placement
• Finishes (vinyl or stucco) and colours 
• Theme (i.e. craftsman or modern)
• Size and massing (how houses in a new community are arranged)
• Driveway location (may be affected by lot width, grading, or street furniture)
• What model of house you can build on what lot (i.e. walk out basement)
• Setback (how far back your house will be built from the street) and side yards
• Landscaping (how many trees and bushes you are required to plant)

High visibility lots show more of their exterior and may need features such as:

• Extra windows
• Additional trim
• Window grills
• Custom entry/overhead doors
• Less blank space

High visibility lots may be more expensive because of these additional treatments.

If you have a certain new home style or colour you want, tell your sales representative immediately. 

To learn more about architectural guidelines for your new home:

• Talk with your sales representative at the show home
• View the guideline documents for your community

On higher density streets, available street parking may exceed open spaces. This problem is not unique to your community! However, The City of Edmonton has specific bylaws in place for all neighbourhoods in the city. An explanatory note on your neighbour’s car window is the friendliest way to inform someone who may not be aware of the bylaw before they get ticketed. If the problem persists, report the infraction to 311.

Some MLC communities have shared spaces (like gazebos) for use by residents.

These amenities are available on a first come, first serve basis. There is no central way to reserve it for exclusive use.

• Long grass provides important habitat for wildlife. 
• Natural vegetation chokes out weeds, such as dandelions.
• Longer grasses help keep residents, including small children, at a safe distance from the water.
• Most importantly, these ponds were professionally designed to grow and develop into complex ecosystems over time. They will grow and mature over the years and add value to your community and property value.

Yellow fish painted near storm drains are part of the Yellow Fish Road program and help remind residents that:

• Only rain water should enter storm drains – “Only Rain Goes Down the Drain”
• Storm drain water flows directly into ponds and the North Saskatchewan River
• Contaminants from storm drains affect the pond habitat
• Anything released in storm drains could end up in our drinking water

A newly installed brick will typically ‘shed’ some of its material salt components periodically during the first few years after it is laid. The white powder is called “efflorescence,” and its occurrences will lessen over time. Rest assured, the masonry in your community is washed periodically to remove the efflorescence.

You must contact your builder directly. Solar panels are not managed by the developer.

We welcome all feedback.