Start Here: Understanding Your Front Foot Benefit Assessment

Why Am I Receiving This Bill?

If you've received an invoice from BMS Management Group, your property is subject to a Front Foot Benefit Assessment, also known as a Deferred Water and Sewer Assessment.

These assessments are commonly used to fund the construction of the water and sewer infrastructure that serve residential communities in Maryland and Delaware. Rather than requiring the full cost of this infrastructure to be paid upfront, these costs are repaid over time (usually 20-40 years) through annual assessments tied to each property within the development.

Please note these assessments attach to the property, rather than the homeowner, so if you recently purchased your home subject to an assessment, then you are now responsible for paying this assessment until the assessment has been repaid in full or you sell your home.  

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What Is a Front Foot Benefit Assessment?

As described above, front foot benefit assessments (or deferred water and sewer assessments) are imposed by the developer of a community to recover all or a portion of the costs of installing the water & sewer infrastructure at the time of development. These charges are outlined in a legal document typically called the Declaration of Water and Sewer Charges recorded in the local county land records.

In the past, when this water and sewer infrastructure was installed by the public utility provider, these charges would have appeared on a homeowner’s county tax bill. More recently, this infrastructure has been installed by private developers and these charges are billed annually directly to the homeowner. 

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What Is a Declaration of Deferred Water and Sewer Charge?

A Declaration of Deferred Water and Sewer Charge is a recorded document that establishes a property's obligation to repay the front foot benefit assessment over time.

These documents are recorded among local land records and may be disclosed during the home-buying process. The declaration generally outlines the annual assessment amount, the term of the assessment, when the assessment is due, and whether a homeowner is eligible for a prepayment discount. 

If you recently purchased your home, you may wish to review your settlement documents or consult your title company or settlement attorney for information regarding disclosures made at closing.

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How Do I Know This Bill Is Legitimate?

Many homeowners ask this question, particularly when they receive their first statement.

You can verify your assessment by:

• Reviewing your settlement documents from your home purchase.
• Reviewing any recorded declarations or assessment documents associated with your property. Some times this assessment is disclosed in your deed as well.
• Contacting BMS Management Group directly using the contact information listed on this website.

If you have questions about your account, our team will be happy to assist you.

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How Do I Make a Payment?

Payments can be made online through our secure payment portal:

➡️ https://bms.cincwebaxis.com/

Before making a payment, please have your account number available to help ensure that your payment is applied correctly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Please see below for a list of our Homeowner Frequently Asked Questions:

➡️ How do I find My Account Number?

➡️ How Long do Front Foot Benefit Assessments Last?

➡️ How do I contact BMS?

➡️ Is my front foot benefit assessment the same as my water usage bill?

➡️ How do I find My Account Number?

➡️ How do I find my front foot benefit account balance?

➡️ Can I pay my front foot benefit assessment by credit card?

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Still Have Questions?

If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please review the BMS Help Desk or contact BMS Management Group. Our team is available to help you understand your account, verify information, and answer questions about your assessment.

BMS Management Group, LLC
3420 Morningwood Drive
Olney, MD 20832

E-Mail: support@bmsmg.com
Website: https://bmsmg.com