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FAQS About Assessments

Friday, January 13, 2023

The following is the latest in a series of FAQ columns planned for the Ocean Pines website and newsletter:

Everything You Need To Know About Life In Ocean Pines, From A To Z

Looking for answers? Submit question ideas to info@oceanpines.org.

Q. What does my assessment pay for?

A. Annual assessments paid to the Ocean Pines Association help fund the community’s police department, volunteer fire department, amenities (parks, playgrounds, pools, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Golf Club, Racquet Center, recreation programs, Community Center), administrative services, Public Works Department, grounds maintenance and snow and leaf removal.

The assessment does not include Beach Club parking, swim, racquet or golf memberships. Memberships for those amenities may be purchased separately, or those wishing to use them may pay the applicable daily fees.

Q. When will I know how much this year’s assessment will be?

A. The assessment is set during the annual budget process, which begins in January each year. The budget for the upcoming fiscal year (which runs May 1-April 30) is usually approved by the Board of Directors in February after a thorough review process.

Following budget approval, assessment bills are mailed to each property owner of record on or around March 15.

Q. When is the assessment due?

A. The annual assessment is due on or before May 1 of each year.

Q. What happens if I don’t pay my assessment in full before the due date?

A. Any unpaid assessment amount still owed beginning June 1 will be charged an additional 6% annual interest, which will continue to accrue until the entire balance has been paid. All balances must be paid in full by Sept. 30 to avoid having a lien placed on the property.

Please note that the entire assessment and any assessed interest must be paid before an amenity membership may be purchased.

If property owners wish to vote in the annual Board of Directors election or in a possible referendum, the assessment and any assessed interest must be paid at least 35 days prior to the voting deadline to receive a ballot.

Q. Does Ocean Pines offer a payment schedule?

A. For those unable to pay their annual assessment at one time, Ocean Pines can set up a formal monthly payment plan. Normally a minimum payment of $150 is required, and payments are due by the 15th of each month. Other options may also be available on a case-by-case basis. Accounts utilizing a payment plan will accrue the additional 6% annual interest until the assessment is paid in full.

Payment plans do not stop the lien process. Those wishing to arrange a payment plan should contact the Assessment and Membership manager at 410-641-7717 ext. 3031 or member@oceanpines.org.

Those wishing to prepay their assessment may do so by submitting an amount of their choosing to the Ocean Pines Administration Building or via the member portal at oceanpines.org.

Q. Where can I pay my assessment bill?

The two quickest and easiest ways to make an annual assessment payment are online via the member portal on the Association’s website at oceanpines.org, or by using the drop box in the outer lobby (open 24 hours a day) of the Ocean Pines Administration Building at 239 Ocean Parkway.

Those wishing to pay their assessment in person may do so at the front window of the Ocean Pines Administration Building, which is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Normal hours of operation may vary for holidays, and additional hours may be available during the spring and summer months.

Payments can also be mailed to the Ocean Pines Association Attn: Assessments & Memberships Department, 239 Ocean Parkway, Ocean Pines, MD, 21811. Please note that return envelopes addressed to the Bank of Ocean City are no longer included with assessment bills.

Q. How do I access the member side of the Ocean Pines website?

To log in to the member portal, visit oceanpines.org, click on the “member login” tab and follow the onscreen instructions. Your member number will serve as your username. (If you do not know your member number, please contact the Assessments and Memberships office at 410-641-7717 or member@oceanpines.org.)

The member number can also be found on the annual assessment bill. Although every owner whose name is attached to the property has a separate member number, please note that only the member number of the owner whose name is listed first in the assessment records will be found on the assessment bill.

If you are visiting the member portal for the first time, your password will be your last name in all lowercase letters. You will then be prompted to enter a new password. New passwords must be at least eight characters and include at least one uppercase, one lowercase and one special character, such as an exclamation mark (!) or "at" symbol (@). Once you’ve reset your password, you can use it for future visits to the member portal. Finally, you will be asked to select a security question, which can be used to reset your password should you need or desire to. If you receive an error code when you try to reset your password, please email member@oceanpines.org.

Q. What methods of payment are accepted for assessments?

Methods of payment include debit and credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover), check, cash, money order, or ACH payment (direct withdrawal from a bank account, available only for online payments). Users wishing to make an ACH payment must first add a payment method to their account, which can be done via the member portal at oceanpines.org.

Please note that a fee of 3.5% will be applied to all assessment payments made with a debit or credit card; this fee does not apply to ACH payments.

Q. My mailing address has changed. How can I make sure I receive my assessment?

Assessment bills are sent to the mailing address on file with the Assessments and Memberships office. Any change to a property owner’s contact information can be made in person at the Ocean Pines Administration Building, by calling 410-641-7717 or by emailing member@oceanpines.org.

Property owners may also update their contact information online via the member portal at oceanpines.org – click on “My Profile” after logging in, then click “Edit.” Click “Update” to save the changes.

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FAQS About Assessments

Everything You Need To Know About Life In Ocean Pines, From A To Z

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