FAQ

Condo Assessments

What is included in my condo assessment?

Common expenses which are covered by the Assessment fee include:

  • Water, sewer and common electric
  • Fire and Extended Liability Insurance
  • Legal and Accounting Services
  • Materials, supplies and labor necessary to paint, maintain, replace and repair the common elements
  • Trash Collection and Common Pest Extermination
  • Law and Tree Maintenance; Leaf Removal
  • Snow Removal
  • Reserve Funding
  • Managing Agent’s Fee
What is the Cross Fox Policy on the collection of condo fees (assessments)?

Condominium Insurance

What type of insurance do I need for my condo?

See Insurance Information (2020) document and the Cross Fox Master Insurance Policy Coverage flier for a summary of the Cross Fox Master Insurance Policy for some suggestions.  To get proper coverage, contact an insurance agency that regularly issues insurance policies for condominiums. 

What do I need to know about the 2020 Maryland Condominium Act ruling about condominium insurance and how it affects Cross Fox Owners?

An amendment to the Maryland Condominium Act, passed during the 2020 session of the Maryland General Assembly, will take effect October 1, 2020. Currently, the association can charge up to $5,000 of the master policy deductible to the unit owner where damage originated. The new amendment will increase that cap to $10,000 of the deductible. Any additional deductible amount remains a common expense. The bill also clarifies that if the loss originates in a common element or outside of the unit – a storm, for example – that the association will be responsible for the deductible.

Helpful Tips –

  1. Associations are still required to tell homeowners the amount of the deductible on the master policy on a yearly basis.
  2. Unit owners should check their unit owner insurance policy to make sure the master policy deductible will be paid if assessed.

As your insurance policies renew, check to see if a higher deductible is worthwhile for the association to consider

My mortgage company wants information on the Cross Fox Master Insurance policy.  Who should they contact?

See the Cross Fox Master Insurance Policy Information under Community

Gas

Why am I not receiving a Gas Bill from YES! Energy anymore?

On June 15, 2022, The Board of Directors of Cross Fox Condominium held a Special Meeting regarding the cancellation of the YES Energy contract. The Board voted to cancel the contract with YES Energy. This means that effective immediately the cost of all gas usage will be a part of your monthly assessments. This means that owners will no longer receive a bill from Yes Energy Management for their gas consumption.

How will my gas bill & usage be paid?

Cross Fox Condominiums will be paying the gas bill just like how the water bill, trash removal, lawn maintenance, etc. is paid.

Will my monthly condominium fee increase in 2022/23?

The Board is currently reviewing the proposed draft 2022/23 Budget to determine the monthly assessments amounts which will now include the expense of gas. A draft budget will be sent to the owners by the end of August and an open budget meeting is scheduled for September 20th.

Will my monthly condominium fee be different each month?

No. The monthly condominium assessment fee will be the same through November 1st. The 2022/23 monthly assessments will be determined at the September 20, 2022 meeting.

If I rent my unit, what will I bill my tenants for gas?

How an owner determines a tenant’s rent is completely between the owner and their tenant. The gas usage will be included in the condominium fee.

What if I am delinquent on my past gas bills through YES! Energy?

Owners that are delinquent on their gas bills for previous usage will remain responsible and will still need to pay all past due gas bills. Those delinquencies will be pursed as they have been in the past in accordance with the Collection Policy.

Laundry

Can you explain the payment process for the washers and dryers in the garden unit laundry rooms?

Each washer and dryer has a credit card reader. Residents can pay for laundry services either by credit card, debit card or a gift card that acts like a credit card.  A nice new feature of this system is that it has a web interface that allows tenants to determine if washers and/or dryers are available without having to visit the laundry room.  Tenants are also be able to request a text message or email notifying that when the washer or dryer cycle is complete.  The cost for the new equipment will be $1.25 per wash load and $1.25 per dryer cycle.  See New Laundry System for more information.

What should I do if there are problems with the garden unit laundry room washers or dryers?

The machines in the laundry rooms are serviced by FMB.  If you have any problems with the machines (broken or lost money), contact FMB at 1-800-832-6193 or go online to service@fmblaundry.com to submit a service request.  You must have the machine ID (located on the machine) in order to report a problem.

Parking

Can you explain the Cross Fox “Permit Parking” system?

On January 1, 2021, Cross Fox adopted a new set of Parking Rules and Regulation designating one assigned space per home for the exclusive use of that home.  Owners are issued a Tow Card for their assigned space and can have an unauthorized vehicle towed from their reserved space.  For more details see the Cross Fox Parking Rules and Regulations.

Pests

What do I do if I have a pest (ants, silverfish, rodents, etc.) problem?

If you experience any of the above pests, call Economy Pest Control at 800-498-1166.  Cross Fox has a pest contract with Economy to take care of common household pests.  Your condo fees go towards this service.  See Pest Control Flier.  Note that this service does not cover termite inspection associated with the sale of a residence.  If you see termites, contact the Managing Agent.

Security

Why don’t we have locks on the front doors of the Garden Units?

A subcommittee recently investigated the cost and features of an Automated Entry Door Control System.  The cost was approximately $5,000 per garden unit building.  The Board was informed by their legal counsel that such a system, if implemented, would have to be implemented on all sixteen garden unit buildings.  The resulting costs were prohibitive.  The system is no longer under consideration.

What should a resident do if they see suspicious activity within or around Cross Fox?

Suspicious activity should always be reported to the Howard County Police either by calling 911 or the non-emergency number 410-313-3200 as appropriate for the circumstances.

Snow Removal

What can I expect to be plowed at Cross Fox when it snows?

An ice melt container will be under the stairs on the lowest level of the condominiums for your convenience in order for residents to treat the sidewalk and walking paths when snowy or icy conditions are present.  One salt melt container per townhouse group will also be available. The snow contractor will not start plowing until the snow stops falling or reaches a depth of at least 2”.   Snow events less than 2” are handled on a case by case basis.

Why don’t we have speed bumps within the Cross Fox development?

Speed bumps are impractical during the winter when snow removal is required.  Also, people often speed between speed bumps even after they are installed thereby reducing their effectiveness.

Trash & Recycling

Can I leave my bulk trash with the normal household trash?

Residents needing bulk trash removal must arrange for disposal at their own expense.  There are two options.  One is to take the trash to the Howard County Landfill.  The second is to arrange with the Cross Fox trash removal contractor, Whatever Services, LLC, at (410) 997-0147 or (410) 730-8014.  Please indicate that you are a Cross Fox resident. 

What should I do with medications, ink cartridges, books, Christmas trees, etc.?

Howard County has an extensive list on where you can donate and/or dispose items.

I use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to save electricity.  Are there special disposal requirements for these bulbs or can I dispose of them in the regular trash?

CFLs contain small amounts of mercury and are therefore considered hazardous waste.  They can be disposed of at the Howard County Landfill as hazardous waste or some stores, such as Home Depot, may also accept them.

Water

My plumber needs to shut off the main water supply to my unit in order to perform a non-emergency repair.  What procedures should he follow?

See Water Shut Off Procedures – Garden Unit or Water Shut Off Procedures – Townhouse for the respective procedure.  Note that Garden Unit water can now typically be turned off on Mondays or Tuesdays of any week with prior approval from CVI.  

What should I do if I detect water leaking from above my unit?

Leaks from above are a disturbing problem.  They can originate from common pipes or from pipes/plumbing originating from the unit above.  Leaks from common pipes are often, but not always, associated with a constant flow of water.  Leaks from the unit above are often, but not always, associated with an intermittent water flow such as whenever daily shower use occurs. 

Whenever I turn off my faucet, I hear a loud noise.  What can be done to correct this problem?

This noise is known as “water hammer”.  See Dealing with Water Hammer and Water Hammer for a good explanation of this problem and possible solutions.

Other

Am I allowed to install a satellite dish for my Cross Fox condo unit?

You must meet certain guidelines in order to install a satellite dish at Cross Fox.  See Cross Fox Satellite Dish Policy

Am I allowed to use a charcoal grill or propane gas grill at Cross Fox?

There are a number of restrictions for charcoal and propane gas grills according to the Howard County Fire Marshall.  See Barbecue Grill Public Safety Notice.

I’d like to get Verizon FiOS — is Cross Fox wired for FiOS?

If you decide to sign up for FiOS, please emphasize to the installer that Cross Fox is partially pre-wired for FiOS and the installer must use the existing, outside cables to connect up to your unit. For Garden units, fiber optic cables run to the outside of each unit in a dark colored cable raceway running up the side of the building on the furnace room wall. For townhomes, an in-ground access panel provides for FiOS access that can then be run directly to the townhome. 

Who do I call if the light in an outdoor street light/lamp pole at Cross Fox is out?

Some street lamp poles have a metal band with a number on the pole.  Those street lamps are maintained by BGE.  You may call BGE to report the outage or notify BGE though their website. For those lamp poles that do not have a metal bane with a number (these are usually located between and/or in back of townhomes for supplemental lighting), contact CVI to report the outage. 

Who is responsible for the smoke alarms/carbon monoxide detectors in my home?

The homeowner is responsible for the upkeep of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.  Contact the Office of the Fire Marshal at 410-313-6040 for more details.