Kent County Crime Watch of Delaware

Kent County Crime Watch (KCCW) is a non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining a safe environment in the communities of Kent County Delaware. KCCW works in cooperation with the Kent County Levy court and the Delaware State Police to help communities attend to issues and assist in organizing their Neighborhood Watch efforts."  For further information: www.kccrimewatch.org

Common Interest Community Ombudsman

The State of Delaware's Attorney General Office has created an Ombudsman position as a contact for community associations.  Christopher J. Curtin has been appointed to this position and his contact information is as follows:

Phone: 302-683-8801

Outside New Castle County: 1800-220-5424

Direct: leave a message: 302-683-8832

Website

email: Christopher.Curtin@delaware.gov

820 N. French St.

Wilmington, DE   19801

State Legislation

Important CIC Statutes

Delaware Common Interest Community Collecting Delinquent Assessments - A Guide for Homeowners Assocations

HOA Resources - How to Deal with HOA Bullies

How to Resolve Deed Restriction Disputes

HOA Billing Program

The Levy Court finalized the approval of the documents and fees for this program at the July 22, 2014 meeting.  The enrollment form is now available:

HOA Billing Program Form

 This program was approved at the March 11, 2014 meeting.  Here are the supporting documents from that meeting:

Collection of Homeowner Association Fees

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The Stormwater Management District Ordinance was approved by the Levy Court on March 11, 2014!

We've moved all information on this ordinance to a page dedicated to the Stormwater Management Districts.  Go there now!

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The HOA ordinance was approved by the Levy Court.  It can now be viewed below.

HOA Final Ordinance

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Kent County is proud to announce access to recorded HOA documents free to all citizens!

https://www.uslandrecords.com/delr_hoa/

Login ID: Kent_hoa   Password: HOA2012

Click here for detailed information on accessing the data. 

On to helpful information! First some links that have been shared with our office:

Community Associations Institute

HOA Website Building & Hosting Vendor - home-owners-assoc.com

HOA Website Building & Hosting Vendor - frontsteps.com

Answers to many common questions that we have been asked about HOAs over the years may be in the Frequently Asked Questions brochure: 

If the brochure did not have the information you were looking for, the following links may be more helpful.  We have found that these are common sites that HOAs may want to visit for more information.

This page will have answers to commonly asked questions about property tax valuation in Kent County.  Of most importance to HOAs, there is a general tax exemption available on parkland owned by civic associations.  Here is the link to the application for this exemption.  For more detailed questions about this process, you can reach the Assessment Office directly at 302-744-2401.

This state agency is your stop for any concerns with the stormwater management facilities in your community.  Ponds, basins, drainge swales and easements are all dealt with by this agency.  They can be reached at 302-741-2600, ext. 3.

A big issue for communities come winter time is Snow Removal.  DelDOT has a snow removal reimbursement program for communities who would like street plowing done by the State in their neighborhood.  DelDOT reimburses eligible communities up to 75% of its costs for snow removal services for snow events that measure 4" or more.  Roads have to be state maintained and your community must register with DelDOT by the first of November of each year.  Call 302-760-2085 or click the link above for more information. 

Kent County would like to make available the list of all developments that have HOAs.  The information may include contact information for the association or one or more of its Board of Directors.  If you know of an association contact that is not listed on the page, feel free to contact our office so that we can update our records.   We will also be posting any association documents that we have availble for your community.

Click here to view the list of Subdivisions

We do not have any information on a development that is in one of the many municipalties in Kent County. 

All residents should be aware that the county does not have the authority to enforce deed restrictions.  These are contracts between the individual homeowner and the association.  They can only be enforced by the authority granted to the HOA or by the filing of a civil lawsuit.  The following are two documents to help homeowners understand what they can legally do to deal with allegations of lack of Deed Restriction compliance.

10 Del Code Section 348 Chancery Deed Restriction Procedure

Statutory Procedure 012607

 The developer will normally control the HOA until such time they have finished all of the required improvements for the development.  This may include finishing of roads, stormwater management areas, required landscape plantings, and active open spaces improvements.  Some HOAs transfer control when the development is at a designated percentage of completed home construction.  This is usually between seventy (75) and ninety (90) percent completion.   Residents should not accept full control of the HOA until any required improvements have been installed by the developer.  The Planning Department is available for inspections of your community to verify that all requirements have been met prior to responsibility being transfered.