2026 Proposed Covenants Edit page

2026 PROPOSED COVENANTS

The Board has worked hard over the last several years to update the Fairview Commons Homeowners Association's covenants which was last officially updated in 2006. Upon the advice of our attorney, we are seeking the approval vote of the community before forwarding the proposed individual covenant amendments or additions below for final review by the Association’s attorney. The attorney will either adopt the below covenants as is, or such similar language after making necessary edits to make it compliant with current state law. These are the same proposed covenants previously initiated in 2022 that failed due to lack of community participation. The official version is in black and the simplified or layman version is in red.

VOTES: Per the Property Owners Association Act, to have a covenant adopted, it must be approved by a 2/3 vote. By definition, a 2/3 vote means a favorable vote by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the community electronically, in person or mail in ballot. Only homeowners, or their proxy, are eligible to vote.

YES: A yes vote means that you accept the proposed covenant as written, or such similar language as approved by the Association’s attorney.
NO: A no vote means that you do not accept the proposed covenant as written, or such similar language as approved by the Association’s attorney.
If these covenants are not adopted by a 2/3 vote (as defined above), the current covenant(s) will remain in effect and will be enforced.

REASONS:
There are many reasons for modifying our covenants, several of which are described below:
> The advent of services like Airbnb and VRBO, or exponential increase in investment company homeownership resulting in an uptick in short-term rentals and loss of individual homeowner ownership.
> A desire to modernize existing rules and covenants. 
> Society and technology are always changing. Issues that were never even considered 10 years ago, may be problematic today. New rules may be needed to address evolving concerns.
> Issues year after year with parking, or misunderstanding of certain policies. You can find a copy of the existing covenants on the community’s website www.fairview-commons.com.

2001 NOVEMBER AMENDED RESTATED DECLARATION OF COVENANTS, RESTRICTIONS AND EASEMENTS FOR FAIRVIEW COMMONS
A. Covenants Article 6, Section 6.1 - Land Use and Building Type (added to section)
Simplified Version
You can’t run a business out of your home if it brings in additional traffic to the neighborhood.

Legal Version
Commercial activities of any kind that bring customers to a residence or create additional traffic and street congestion, such as hair care, nursery or
daycare, the breeding and sale of animals, or any type of retail sales shall not be permitted.

B. Covenants Article 6, Section 6.6 - Completion of Construction (added to section)
Simplified Version
Clean up damage and maintain property. If your home, property, or sheds/outbuildings are damaged, you have 60 days to clear the debris off your property and fix your yard, and 180 days to start rebuilding the damaged home/outbuilding. Notify the Board of any delays in starting construction and new end date.

Legal Version
Individual Lots. In the event of damage to or destruction of any structure on a Lot, the Owner shall either (1) within 60 days, clear the Lot of all debris and sod or landscape all portions of the Lot as approved by the ACC and/or Board; and (2) within 180 days, start repair or reconstruct such structure in accordance with the plans and specifications approved by the ACC and/or Board. Owner shall still be responsible for the upkeep of the land before, during and after the damage. It is also the responsibility of Owner to notify the Board if there is a delay in initiating construction and new projected end date.

C. Covenants Article 6, Section 6.9 - Nuisances (deleted and replaced)
Simplified Version
1. Without prior written approval from the Board, don’t do anything that would break the law or increase insurance rates for all of us, including
     a. Obnoxious, offensive, or unsanitary behaviors
          i. Screaming, shouting, playing music or TV at loud volumes that disturb the neighbors
          ii. Fighting or really rowdy behavior that disturbs the neighbors
          iii. Being drunk/high in public and disturbing the neighbors
          iv. Threatening others
          v. Doing something that makes the neighborhood smell
    b. Disturbing the peace of the neighborhood
          i. Construction from 10:00 pm to 7:30 am (or local mandated hours) that can be heard by your neighbors
          ii. Creating a danger or injury to neighbors or neighboring property
          iii. Anything that interferes with your neighbor’s ability to enjoy their own home in peace

2. If your neighbor is doing any of these things and it’s bothering you, the Board can ask you to talk to your neighbor about the problem first. If that doesn’t fix the issue, then the Board can get involved.

Legal Version
Prohibition of Damage, Nuisance and Noise. Without prior written Board consent, nothing shall be done or kept in the Community or any part thereof which would increase the rate of insurance on the Community, which would be in violation of any statute, rule ordinance, regulation, permit or other validly imposed requirements of any governmental body, or which would increase the Common expenses.

Noxious, destructive, offensive or unsanitary activity shall not be carried on upon the Community. No Owner or Occupant may use or allow the use of the Lot or any portion of the Community at any time, in any way, which may endanger the health or property of the other Occupants, unreasonably annoy, disturb or cause embarrassment or discomfort to other Owners or Occupants, or, in the Board’s discretion, constitute a nuisance. The intention of this provision is to grant the Association and aggrieved Owners and Occupants a right of redress for actions, activities or conduct which unreasonably disturbs or impairs the peaceful and safe enjoyment of the Community. In this regard, specific unauthorized and unreasonable annoyances or disturbances shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

-Any screaming, shouting, excessively loud talking, whistling, or playing of music or television either outside of a Lot at any time or within a Lot if such conduct can be heard in the normal course of activities in any other Lot(s)
-Any fighting, raucous behavior or insobriety either outside of a Lot at any time or within a Lot if such conduct can be heard in the normal course of activities in any other Lot(s)
-Any threatening or intimidating conduct towards any resident, guest or pet at the Community
-Any conduct which, in the Board’s reasonable discretion, creates any danger or risk of injury to another or damage to property at the Community or which creates any threat to health or safety
of any other resident or pet
-Any conduct which creates any noxious or offensive odor either outside of a Lot at any time or within a Lot if such odors can be detected in the normal course of activities in any other Lot(s)
-Any similar action or activity outside of a Lot on the Community, or which occurs inside a Lot but which interferes with the peaceful use and enjoyment of other Lots or the Common Area by any other Owner, members of his or her family, guests, invitees, or Occupants of his or her Lot,
-Any construction or similar activities in a Lot which can be heard in other Lots between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m, or as mandated by local ordinance.

However, nothing herein shall be construed to affect the rights of an aggrieved Owner or Occupant to proceed individually against a violator hereof for relief from interference with his or her property or personal rights, and the Board may, in its discretion, require aggrieved individuals to seek redress personally for interference with their personal property rights before the Association intervenes and commences enforcement action hereunder. No claim for any loss, damage or otherwise shall exist by an aggrieved Owner or Occupant against the Association for failure to enforce the provisions hereof if the aggrieved Owner or Occupant has not personally pursued all available remedies against the violator for redress provided under Georgia law.

D. Covenants Article 6, Section 6.18 - Solar (deleted and replaced)
Simplified Version
You can’t install solar panels without the Board’s approval, and no windmills or any other type of alternative energy source are allowed in the HOA.

Legal Version
No solar energy collector panels or attendant hardware or other energy conservation equipment may be installed on any lot unless such installation is first approved in writing by the ACC, and shall be constructed or installed as an integral and harmonious part of the architectural design of a home, as determined in the sole discretion of the ACC. Solar energy equipment or apparatus will be installed flat against or parallel to the plane of the roof and have the appearance of a skylight, and have finished trim. Solar panels are prohibited on any front portion of the home and shall not be visible from the street. As solar panels become more integrated with existing roofs, and can be undetectable from the community standard, these will be considered by the committee on a case-by-case basis.

No windmills or any other type of alternative energy source of any kind not approved by the Board shall be permitted within the Property.

E. Covenants Article 6, Section 6.22 - Storage of Vehicle; Parking (added to section)
Simplified Version
Each home can only have a limited number of vehicles. Ideally, the number of vehicles that can fit in your driveway, but the number limit is at the Board’s discretion.

Legal Version
No Owner or Occupant may keep or bring into the Community more than a reasonable number of vehicles per Lot, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors.

F. Covenants Article 6, Section 6.31 - Yard and Home Maintenance; Vegetable Gardens (deleted and replaced)
Simplified Version
Lawns/yards must be maintained. If you don’t fix your yard after the Board notified you there’s a problem with your yard, the Board can have your lawn/yard problem fixed. You will be responsible for paying the Board back for any money they have to spend to fix the problem with your yard after they notified you and you didn’t fix it. Payment is due upon receipt.
Vegetable gardens cannot be larger than 100 square feet, and the garden has to be at the rear of the house and not visible from the street.

Legal Version
Each Lot (including home and yard) shall be maintained in a sightly and sanitary condition and grass and landscaping shall be properly maintained,
including any portion of a Lot within an Easement Area or right of way. In no event may any vegetable garden total more than 100 square feet in size and be located closer to the street than the rear of the house, and on corner lots, shall also be no closer to the street than the side of the dwelling facing the street.

If the Board of Directors determines that any Owner has failed or refused to discharge properly his or her maintenance, repair or replacement obligations pursuant to this Paragraph, then the Association shall give the Owner written notice of: (1) the Owner’s failure or refusal; (2) the
Association’s right to provide necessary maintenance, repair, or replacement at the Owner’s sole cost and expense due payable upon receipt; and (3) the maintenance, repair or replacement deemed necessary by the Board.

Unless the Board determines that an emergency exists or a violation is re-occurring for which notice previously has been issued hereunder, the Owner shall have 10 days within which to complete maintenance or repair, or if the maintenance or repair is not capable of completion within such time period, to commence replacement or repair within 10 days. If the Board determines that an emergency exists, a violation is reoccurring for which notice has been previously issued hereunder or an Owner has not complied with the demand given by the Association hereunder, the Association shall have the power to enter such Lot to abate or remove, using such force as may be reasonably necessary, any structure, thing or condition
which violates the Declaration, Bylaws or the rules or regulations; may provide any such maintenance, repair or replacement, the costs of which shall be a specific special assessment, and the Association shall have lien rights therefor as in the case of other assessments, against the Owner and the Lot. All costs of self-help, including reasonable attorney’s fees, shall be assessed against the violating Owner or Occupant and shall be collected as provided herein for the collection of assessment.

G. Covenants Article 6, Section 6.32 - Rooming Houses (added to section)
Simplified Version
No churches or boarding houses

Legal Version
No boarding or rooming house, church, or regular place of worship shall be permitted.

H. Covenants Article 6, Section 6.33 - Sex Offender Occupancy (added to section)
Simplified Version
Registered Sexual Predators or Habitual Sex Offenders. No registered sex offender who is classified as a sexual predator or habitual sex offender may live in or visit any HOA house or property. (Although current laws do not allow us to restrict sex offenders, if the law changes to allow HOAs to restrict sex offenders, we cannot do so if it is not already in our covenants. We can include the restriction now knowing it is not currently legal, but could be in the future.)

Legal Version
Sex Offender Occupancy. No person who is adjudicated to be a sexual predator or a habitual sex offender and required to register with a designated registering agency, thereby requiring notice to be given pursuant to the Georgia Sex Offenders Act or similar statute from another jurisdiction, as the same may from time to time be amended, may reside in or occupy a residence and/or enter onto or remain in or on the property for any length
of time. Any violation of this restriction shall subject the Owner and/or any Occupant of the property to any and all remedies provided by law as well as this Declaration. The Association shall not, however, be liable to any Owner or Occupant, or anyone visiting any Owner or the Association, as a result of the Association’s alleged failure, whether negligent, intentional or otherwise, to enforce the provisions of this restriction.

I. Covenants Article 6, Section 6.34 - Firearms and Weapons (added to section)
Simplified Version
No guns, crossbows, or tasers can be displayed or used outside of a home except for law enforcement personnel. This does not limit your right to have guns in your home unless prohibited by law.

Legal Version
Firearms. The display or discharge of firearms in the subdivision is prohibited, except by law enforcement officers while performing their legal duties. The term “firearms” includes, but is not limited to, any devise which will or can be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or electrical charge or by the action of compressed air. Examples of “firearms” as described in this section include, but are not limited to handguns, rifles (automatic or otherwise), shotguns,
stun guns, tasers, B-B guns, pellet guns. Additionally, cross-bows and arrows shall be considered a “firearm” pursuant to this Declaration. The Association shall not, however, be liable to any Owner or Occupant, or anyone visiting any Owner or the Association, as a result of the Association’s alleged failure, whether negligent, intentional or otherwise, to enforce the provisions of this restriction.

J. Covenants Article 6, Section 6.35 - Leasing (added to section)
Simplified Version
1. You can only lease out your house after you’ve lived in it for 5 years. AirBNB, VRBO or any other type of short-term rental is NOT allowed.
2. The Board has to be given a copy of the proposed lease at least 1 week before the lease is signed. The Board only has the right to approve/reject the form of the lease. The Board does not have the authority to approve/reject the proposed tenant.
    a. The entire house must be leased; no boarding room rentals.
    b. The initial lease period must be for a minimum of one year. 
    c. Leases must be in writing with the names of ALL tenants/occupants/residents with tenant contact information and make, model and license plate of car.
     d. No subleasing allowed.
3. The lease must include specific language about the use of common areas, following all HOA rules, and keeping up the rental property.
4. Owner is ultimately responsible for all tenant fines.
5. Owner can evict a tenant for violation of HOA's rules and covenants and allows HOA to have power of attorney to enforce rules against tenant including eviction.
6. Owner may transfer ownership of their communal keycard to their tenant during the lease term. It is the Owner's responsibility to retrieve the communal keycard from tenant upon a lease termination. Possible administrative fees may be charged for tenant transfer info.
7. The HOA can collect tenant's rent money to Owner if Owner is delinquent on all charges until paid in full.
8. This section does not apply to the HOA if it ever enters into a lease with a tenant.

Legal Version
In order to preserve the character of the community as predominantly owner-occupied, and to comply with the eligibility requirements for financing in the secondary mortgage market, leasing of Lots effective July 1, 2025, shall be governed by the restrictions imposed by this Paragraph. Owner shall occupy, establish, and use the Property as Owner’s principal residence within sixty (60) days of a sale or transfer of the Property and shall continue to occupy the Property as Owner’s principal residence for at least five (5) years after the date of the occupancy.

1. General. Owners desiring to lease their Lots may do so after 5 years of occupancy from date of sale or transfer of Property.
2. Leasing Provisions. Leasing shall be governed by the following provisions:
     a. Notice. At least seven (7) days prior to entering into the lease of a house, the Owner shall provide the Board with a copy of the proposed lease agreement. The Board shall have the right to approve or disapprove the form of said lease. In the event a lease is disapproved, the Board shall notify the Owner of the requisite action to be taken in order to bring the lease in compliance with the Declaration and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto. Owner is required to provide the Board with a copy of the fully executed lease at least one week prior to the lease start date.
     b. General. Houses may be leased only in their entirety; no fraction or portion may be leased without prior written Board approval. All leases shall be in writing. There shall be no subleasing of houses or assignment of leases without prior written Board approval. All leases must be for an initial term of not less than one (1) year. Within ten (10) days after executing a lease agreement for the lease of a house, the Owner shall provide the Board
with a copy of the lease and the name of the lessee and contact information including motor vehicle make, model and license plate number, and all other people occupying the house. The Owner must provide the lessee copies of the Declaration, Bylaws, and the rules and regulations. Nothing herein shall be construed as giving the Association the right to approve or disapprove a proposed lessee; the Board’s approval or disapproval shall be limited to the form of the proposed lease.
     c. Liability for Assessments, Use of Common Elements, and Compliance with Declaration, Bylaws, and Rules and Regulations. Each Owner covenants and agrees that any lease of a house shall contain the following language and agrees that if such language is not expressly contained therein, then such language shall be incorporated into the lease by existence of this covenant, and the lessee, by occupancy of the house, agrees to the applicability of this covenant and incorporation of the following language into the lease:
        1. Compliance with Declaration, Bylaws, and Rules and Regulations. The lessee shall comply with all provisions of the Declaration, Bylaws, and rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto and shall control the conduct of all other Occupants and guests of the house in order to ensure such compliance. The Owner shall cause all Occupants of his or her house to comply with the Declaration, Bylaws, and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, and shall be responsible for all violations by such Occupants, notwithstanding the fact that such Occupants of the house are fully liable and may be sanctioned for any such violation. If the lessee, or a person living with the lessee, violates the Declaration, Bylaws, or a rule or regulation for which a fine is imposed, notice of the violation shall be given to the Owner and/or to the lessee, and such fine shall be first assessed against the Owner in accordance with Articles IV and VI of the Covenants/Bylaws. If the fine is not paid by the Owner within the time period set by the Board, the lessee shall pay the fine upon notice from the Association of the Owner’s failure to pay the fine. Unpaid fines shall be an assessment and a lien against the property until paid. The failure of the Board to enforce any provision of the Declaration, Bylaws, or any rule or regulation shall not be deemed a waiver of the right of the Board to do so thereafter.
        Any violation of the Declaration, Bylaws, or rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto by the lessee, any occupant, or any guest of the lessee, is deemed to be a default under the terms of the lease and authorizes the Owner to terminate the lease without liability and to evict the lessee in accordance with Georgia law. The Owner hereby delegates and assigns to the Association, acting through the Board, the power and authority of enforcement against the lessee for breaches resulting from the violation of the Declaration, Bylaws, and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, including the power and authority to evict the lessee as attorney-in-fact on behalf and for the benefit of the Owner, in accordance with the terms hereof. If the Association proceeds to evict the lessee, any costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees actually incurred and court costs associated with the eviction shall be an assessment and lien against the property.
        2. Use of Communal Areas. The Owner may temporarily transfer and assign to the lessee, for the term of the lease, any and all rights and privileges that the Owner has to use the Communal Areas, including but not limited to, the use of any and all recreational facilities and other amenities. It is the responsibility of the Owner to retrieve the communal keycard from their tenant upon termination of the Lease. Failure of Owner to retrieve the communal keycard may result in a penalty fee that is determined by the discretion of the Board.
        3. Liability for Assessments. When an owner who is leasing his or her property fails to pay any annual or special assessment or any other charge for a period of more than thirty (30) days after it is due and payable, then the delinquent Owner hereby consents to the assignment of any rent received from the lessee during the period of delinquency, and, upon request by the Board, lessee shall pay to the Association all unpaid annual and special assessments and other charges payable during and prior to the term of the lease and any other period of occupancy by lessee. However, lessee need not make such payments to the Association in excess of, or prior to the due dates for, monthly rental payments unpaid at the time of the Board’s request. All such payments made by lessee shall reduce, by the same amount, lessee’s obligation to make monthly rental payments to lessor. If lessee fails to comply with the Board’s request to pay assessments or other charges, lessee shall pay to the Association all amounts authorized under the Declaration as if lessee were an Owner. The above provision shall not be construed to release the Owner from any obligation, including the obligation for assessments, for which he or she would otherwise be responsible.
   c. Applicability of this Paragraph. Notwithstanding the above, this Paragraph shall not apply to any leasing transaction entered into by the Association, or the holder of any first mortgage on a property who becomes the Owner of a property through foreclosure or any other means pursuant to the satisfaction of the indebtedness secured by such mortgage, and they shall be permitted to lease without obtaining a permit.

K. Covenants Article 7, Section 7.1 - Easements (added to section)
Simplified Version
The HOA has a right to enter your property without notification to Owner in an emergency for health and safety situations only (i.e., fire, flooding, etc). If there is an emergency or serious safety/security concern, law enforcement or Board members/people hired by the Board can go onto your property to try to fix the problem. Unless it’s an emergency, the Board shall give notice to the owner that they’ll be coming onto the property and will only come on your property during reasonable hours and after you’ve been notified.

If the Board has to do non-emergency regular maintenance, they will give notice to the Owner and hire a third party to go on the property to do the maintenance. They’ll do everything they can to make sure the maintenance is quiet, quick, and they’ll fix any damage that might happen. Payment for all fees associated with emergency and non-emergency maintenance is due upon receipt of the invoice.

Legal Version
There is hereby reserved to the Association and its designee, an easement and right, but not the obligation, to enter onto any Lot for emergency, life-safety, security and safety. The right may be exercised by the Association’s Board of Directors, Officers, agents, employees, managers, and all police officers, firemen, ambulance personnel, and similar emergency personnel in the performance of their respective duties. Except in an emergency situation, entry shall be only during reasonable hours and after notice to the Owner or Occupant. This right of entry shall include the right of the Association to enter a Lot to cure any condition which may increase the possibility of a fire or other hazard in the event that an Owner fails or refuses to cure the condition upon request by the Board. No one exercising the easement and rights granted in this Paragraph shall be liable for trespass, damages, or in any other manner by virtue of exercising such rights. The failure to exercise the rights herein or to exercise said rights in a timely manner shall not create liability to any of the above-referenced parties, it being agreed that no duty to enter a Lot shall exist.

Easement for Association Maintenance. There is hereby reserved to the Association and its designee, an easement and right across all portions of the Community, to allow the Association to fulfill the maintenance obligations described in this Declaration. This easement shall be exercised with a minimum of interference to the quiet enjoyment of the Owner’s property, reasonable steps shall be taken to protect the Owner’s property, and any Person causing damage to the Owner’s property shall repair the damage at its sole expense. All fees expended by Board associated with emergency and non-emergency maintenance to Owner's property is due by Owner upon written notice of same.

L. Covenants Article 10, Section 10.6 - Notices (deleted and replaced)
Simplified Version
Notices to/from the Board can be sent out via mail, email, fax, or posted on the HOA website.
It is the Board’s responsibility to send out notices to the last known physical addresses/email address of Owner.
It is your responsibility to make sure the Board has your correct mailing address and preferred email address.

Legal Version
All notices, requests, objections, waivers, rejections, agreements, approvals, disclosures or consents of any kind made pursuant to this Declaration, whether made by the Association, the ACC, an Owner, or any other person, shall be in writing. All such notices, requests, objections, waivers, rejections, agreements, approvals, disclosures or consents shall be deemed to have been duly given or made if either delivered by personal
delivery; United States mail, first class, postage prepaid; United States Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested; statutory overnight delivery; issued electronically in accordance with Chapter 12 of Title 10, the “Uniform Electronic Transactions Act;” facsimile; or a secure website, provided that notice shall be deemed given via website only upon proof that the addressee has retrieved the message, at the addresses set forth below: 

Fairview Commons Homeowners’ Association
25 Fairview Commons Drive
Covington, GA 30016
[email protected] or any other email address designated by the HOA board
and
PMB 210, 2274 Salem Road, Suite 106, Conyers, GA 30013

Owners: Each Owner’s Address as registered with the Association in accordance with the Bylaws, or if no address has been registered, at the Owner’s Lot.

It is the responsibility of the Owner to update the Association with a current mailing and email address. The Association will not be held responsible for any returned or undeliverable electronic notifications, and such notification at last provided email address will be deemed valid and properly served. Rejection, refusal to accept, or inability to deliver because of a changed address of which no notice has been received by the other party shall constitute receipt of the notice, demand or request sent as of the date of deposit in the U.S. Mail or the date of attempted personal or overnight delivery, as the case may be. Any item delivered by personal delivery shall be deemed received on the date of personal delivery.

Notwithstanding any other portion of this Declaration, records, signatures, and notices shall not be denied validity or effectiveness hereunder solely on the grounds that they are transmitted, stored, made or presented electronically. The relevant provisions of the Bylaws shall govern the giving of all notices required by this Declaration.

Whenever the Association’s Legal Instruments require that a document, record or instrument be “written” or “in writing,” the requirement is deemed satisfied by an electronic record if the Board of Directors has affirmatively published regulations permitting an electronic record or document as a substitute for a written item.

M. Covenants Article 10, Section 10.9 - Management Agent (added to section)
Simplified Version
The Board can hire an HOA management company if it chooses to do so after notification to the community to discuss.

Legal Version
The Association may, but shall not be required to, hire a professional management agent or agents, at a compensation established by the Board, to perform such duties and services as the Board of Directors shall authorize. The Board shall provide proper notice to the community of the Board's intent to hire a management company and shall discuss the matter at a special called meeting or the next regularly held Board of Directors meeting. The Board shall use reasonable efforts in any management contract to provide for termination of such contract by the Association with or without cause and without penalty, upon no more than thirty (30) days written notice. No management contract shall have a term in excess of one (1) year.

2006 JULY AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED RESTATED DECLARATION OF COVENANTS, RESTRICTIONS AND EASEMENTS FOR FAIRVIEW COMMONS AND SUBMISSION TO THE GA PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION ACT
N. Second Amended Covenants Article 4, Section 4.5 - Special Assessments (added to section)
Simplified Version
If you buy a foreclosed house/lot, you have to pay an administrative fee $1,000 fee along with any other outstanding dues/fees (including late fees, interest and/or attorneys fees) owed by the previous owner.

Legal Version
It is recognized that foreclosure of mortgages on Lots create substantial administrative and other burdens on the Association. These additional burdens on the Association include, but are not limited to, having to monitor the status of mortgages and legal periodicals to determine when foreclosures occur, searching the Newton County, Georgia land records to determine the names of the purchasers at foreclosure sales, contacting the
foreclosure purchasers/owners regarding foreclosure-purchaser responsibilities and assessment obligations and updating Association records multiple times to deal with just a single Lot. Pursuant to this Declaration and Section 44-3-225(a) of the Act, the Association is authorized to assess individual Owners certain fees and expenses occasioned by the benefiting just those Owners or those Owners’ Lots. In accordance with this provision, and in addition to annual assessments, special assessments, and other charges provided for in this Declaration, any Person who acquires a Lot at a foreclosure sale of the mortgage on such Lot, or by deed in lieu of a foreclosure, will be required to pay the Association a Foreclosure Administration Fee of $1,000 along with the unpaid dues/fees owed by the previous owner (including late fees, interest and/or attorneys fees) at the time of the foreclosure deed or deed in lieu of foreclosure is recorded in the Newton County, Georgia records. The Foreclosure Administration Fee shall constitute a specific assessment as described in this Declaration.

O. Second Amended Covenants Article 8, Section 8.1 - Right of Enforcement (added to section)
Simplified Version
Cars parked/stowed in the streets or in front/side yards can be towed or booted 24 hours after being issued a written notice.
If your car is parked/stowed in the streets or in the yard a second time within one week of a written notice, the car can be booted/towed without a second notice needing to be issued.
If a car is parked on the same side of the street of a neighbor's driveway and is blocking said driveway, or is obstructing traffic or is a hazard, it can be towed or booted immediately. Owner is responsible for all towing fees, including attorneys fees.

Legal Version
If any vehicle is parked in the Community in violation of Article VI, Section 6.22 or the Association rules, the Board or agent of the Association may tow or boot the vehicle after 24 hours written notice. Such notice shall: (1) be placed on the vehicle; (2) specify the nature of the violation; (3) warn of possible towing or booting; and (4) state the name and telephone number of a person to contact regarding the violation. If 24 hours after such notice is placed on the vehicle, the violation continues or thereafter occurs again within 1 week of such notice, the Board or agent of the Association may have the vehicle towed or booted in accordance with the original notice and without further notice. If a vehicle is parked in a fire lane, is blocking another vehicle or access to another Owner’s or Occupants Lot or dwelling, is obstructing the flow of traffic, or otherwise creates a hazardous condition, no notice shall be required and the vehicle may be towed or booted immediately.

The Association has no liability for any towing or booting in accordance with the preceding paragraph. Each Owner and Occupant hereby releases and holds harmless the Association, its Directors, Officers, agents and representatives, for any claim or damage from any such towing or booting. The Association’s right to tow or boot is in addition to, and not in limitation of all other rights of the Association, including the right to assess fines, or by suit at law or in equity to enjoin any violation or to recover monetary damages or both. In any such action, to the maximum extent permissible, the Owner or Occupant responsible for the violation for which abatement is sought shall pay all costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees actually incurred.

P. Second Amened Covenants Article 8, Section 8.1.2 - Right of Enforcement (added to section)
Simplified Version
If the Board has to spend money to fix a problem they’ve notified you about, you’re responsible for paying the Board back for the money they had to spend. Payment is due upon receipt of invoice.

Legal Version
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Board may elect to enforce any provision of the Declaration, the Bylaws, or the rules and regulations by self-help (specifically including, but not limited to, towing of any vehicles that are in violation of the parking rules and regulations or performing maintenance on any Property upon failure by the Owner to do so) or by suit at law or in equity to enjoin any violation or to recover monetary damages or both without the necessity for compliance with the procedure set forth in the preceding section of this Article. In any such action, to the maximum extent permissible, the Owner or Occupant responsible for the violation for which abatement is sought shall pay all costs, including reasonable attorneys fees actually incurred. All payments are due upon receipt of the invoice.

The Association or its duly authorized agent shall have the power to enter a Lot or upon any portion of the Communal area to abate or remove, using such force as may be reasonably necessary, any structure, thing or condition which violates the Declaration, the Bylaws or the rules and regulations; provided, however, written notice shall be given to the Owner of the Lot at least two (2) days prior to the time that any items of construction are altered or demolished. All costs for self-help, including reasonable attorneys’ fees shall be assessed against the violating Owner and shall be collected as provided herein for the collection of assessments. All payments are due upon receipt of the invoice.

Q. Second Amended Covenants Article 9, Section 9.2 - Amendment (deleted and replaced)
Simplified Version
We can amend HOA rules in most cases with 67% of homeowners approving the change.
To get an amendment passed, The Board notifies homeowners about the change they want to make At the HOA meeting about the change, the amendment is officially presented to everyone.
Either 67% of the votes are presented at the meeting, or the HOA President and VP OR Secretary have a written letter saying that they did get the needed votes. 
The amendment AND the letter from the President and VP/Secretary is filed in Newton County court.

The HOA covenant can be amended without needing homeowner votes IF it needs to be amended to comply with federal housing guidelines.

Legal Version
Except where a higher vote is required for action under any other provisions of this Declaration, in which case such higher vote shall be necessary to
amend such provision, this Declaration may be amended by the affirmative vote, written consent, or any combination of affirmative vote and written consent of the members of the Association bolding sixty-six and two/thirds (66-2/3%) percent of the total eligible vote thereof. No amendment shall be effective until certified by the President and Secretary of the Association and filed in the Newton County, Georgia, land records.

Amendments to this Declaration, other than those authorized above, shall be proposed and adopted in the following manner: (a) notice of the subject matter of the proposed amendment shall be included in the notice of the meeting of the Association at which such proposed amendment is to be considered and shall be delivered to each Owner; (b) at such meeting, a resolution adopting a proposed amendment may be proposed by either the Board or by Owners. Such amendment must be approved by a Two-Thirds Vote; provided, however: (i) that any amendment which materially and adversely affects the security title and interest of any mortgagee must be approved by such mortgagee; and (ii) the agreement of the required percentage of the Owners shall be evidenced by their execution of such amendment, or, in the alternative, the sworn statement of the President, any Vice President or the Secretary of the Association attached to or incorporated in the amendment executed by the Association, which
sworn statement shall state unequivocally that the agreement of the required majority was lawfully obtained and that all notices required by this article were lawfully given. Any such amendment of this Declaration shall become effective only when recorded or at such later date as may be specified in the amendment itself.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors, without the necessity of a vote from the owners, may amend this Declaration to comply with the Act, any applicable state, city or federal law, including but not limited to, compliance with applicable guidelines of the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae"), the Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") and the Veterans Administration ("VA").