Fairlington Villages :: Resident Handbook - Good Neighbor Policies and Rules

Residents Handbook
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GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICIES AND RULES

Our quality of life depends on our observance of reasonable, common sense rules. The rules are intended to allow everyone to enjoy Fairlington to the fullest. If you have questions, please call management or any Board member.

ACCESS TO UNITS

EMERGENCY

Management may need access to your unit, as provided by the bylaws. If you have provided emergency contact information, we will make all reasonable efforts to contact you. If we cannot in an emergency, management will call a locksmith to gain entry.

NON-EMERGENCY

The Association will provide telephone or written notice of the need to enter your unit and will make arrangements with you or your tenant to gain access.

RULES

For the well being of you and your neighbors, the Board has adopted a variety of policies consistent with the bylaws. As a unit owner, you are responsible for ensuring that your family members, guests and tenants abide by them. Violations are subject to penalties in accordance with the schedule in the Appendix under "Grievances and Mediation Process" and "Rules Enforcement/Due Process Procedure."

The following alphabetical list summarizes all rules. Additional information is in the Appendix.

ANTENNAE AND SATELLITE DISHES

Antennae and satellite dishes are permitted, but they may not be attached to any limited common property such as a patio fence, balcony railing or floor, or exterior wall. No wire holes in walls are permitted. See the Appendix.

ARCHITECTURAL CHANGES

The bylaws specify that alterations or additions to the common elements or unit exteriors, or structural alteration to the interior of a unit, require advance approval of the Board. The term "variance" applies to any change, no matter how slight, to the common elements. When in doubt, call the management office.

Common variance requests include interior renovations that involve moving a wall or cutting a hole in the brick, installing HVAC lines, replacing a front door, or planting a new flowerbed in common areas.

From time to time, the Board adopts blanket variances allowing owners to alter their units. For example, the Board has set policies concerning the installation of balcony awnings, electrical outlets on buildings, exterior lighting fixtures, bathroom vents, HVAC lines, and replacement windows. The Appendix includes these policies.

A homeowner — not a tenant — may submit a variance request. Forms are available from the management office or on the Website. The request must detail the proposal. You may be asked for scale drawings or engineer estimates.

The Variance Committee reviews proposed structural changes to a unit. The Buildings & Grounds Committee reviews landscaping improvements. The Board approves or denies them.

Under the bylaws, owners who spend at least $1,000 on a renovation are required to report it to management.

AWNINGS

Awnings may be installed on the balconies of topfloor apartments and ground-floor townhouses but may not be installed over windows. A brochure and sample fabric swatches of approved colors are available in the office. Owners must hire a professional installer and sign a maintenance agreement. Awnings must be removed between November 1 and April 1. See the Appendix for the awnings policy.

BALCONIES

The Association maintains the physical structure, but you are responsible for proper use and maintenance. Please be considerate in the way you use your balcony. Large planters and heavy items are not to be placed on balconies. Planters must have shims or feet so that air can circulate, keeping the concrete dry. Clay bricks, which absorb water, may not be placed on floors. Planters may be no more than 18 inches in diameter at the lip, and in aggregate may cover no more than 25 percent of the balcony surface. Small planters, up to one foot in diameter at the lip, may cover up to half of the balcony surface.

Balcony restrictions:

Holes may not be drilled into bricks or mortar or into railings, floors or roofs.
Balconies cannot be used for storage except for bicycles. Only patio-type furniture, plants, and satellite dishes (in accordance with the rules) are allowed.
Comfort Tred tiles may be used on balcony floors. Other types of floor coverings, such as carpet, tile, or wooden decking may not be installed.
Flower boxes may be mounted on the interior of balcony railings and on railing exteriors of ground floor balconies.
Nothing shall be hung, attached, dropped or shaken from the balcony of any unit. No unit owner shall permit any dirt or any other substance to be swept or thrown from a balcony.

CARPETING OF APARTMENT UNITS

The Board and Association suggest that 80 percent of a unit's floor space be covered with carpet to reduce noise for the residents below. Please be considerate of your neighbors.

CLOTHES LINES

Outside clothes dryers or clotheslines are prohibited.

CRIME PREVENTION

The Association hires a patrol service, but all are encouraged to help deter criminal activity.

Keep front and back porch lights on when it is dark.
Be aware of your environment and report suspicious persons or incidents to the police, the patrol officer, or management.
If you see lights out on the property, report them to management.
Don't store valuable belongings in your vehicle where they can be seen.
Stop newspaper and mail delivery or have a neighbor pick up papers or packages when you are out of town.

DOORS

The Association paints all exterior unit doors on a schedule.

ENTRY DOORS

See the Appendix for the standard variance policy on entry doors.

STORM DOORS

See the Appendix for the standard variance policy on storm doors.

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT BREAKERS

The circuit breaker is located in the entrance foyer, dining room, laundry room or den depending on your type of unit. The main circuit breaker is usually next to the electric meter. Be familiar with your circuit breakers.

EXTERIOR BATHROOM VENTS

Bathroom vents may be installed in the rear wall of a unit by a professional. See the Appendix for additional requirements.

EXTERIOR ELECTRICAL OUTLETS

A unit may have one outlet, installed in the rear wall of a unit, by a licensed electrician. See the Appendix.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING FIXTURES

Exterior lights may be black, carriage-style lighting fixtures or jelly jar-style replacements (for the back). See the Appendix and Chart of Maintenance Responsibilities.

FIRE LANES

Fire lanes are marked in yellow. No parking is permitted in these areas. Towing is vigorously enforced.

FIRE SAFETY AND PREVENTION

The fire code prohibits the use of barbeque grills on balconies.
Flammable, combustible or explosive fluids, materials, chemicals or substances (except those for normal house cleaning) are prohibited in units and limited common elements.
Know the location of smoke detectors and extinguishers in your apartment building stairwell.
In case of a kitchen grease fire, snuff oxygen by covering the pan or throwing flour or dirt from a houseplant on the fire. NEVER pour water on burning grease.
Do not allow trash to accumulate.
Do not empty ashtrays into trashcans without extinguishing smoking materials.
Do not use flammables such as gasoline or lacquer thinner as cleaning agents.
Test your smoke detector regularly.
Post the emergency number for fire, police and ambulance near all of your telephones.
Do not smoke in bed.
Do not leave unattended food on the stove.

FLAG DISPLAY

Display of the American flag is allowed. A staff may be affixed to wood surfaces of building exteriors, including the capping of a unit window. See the Decorations policy in the Appendix.

GARBAGE DISPOSALS

With proper use, a disposal is a quick and sanitary method of removing most food waste. However, its misuse can shorten its life and clog pipes, causing a backup. A few tips:

Disposals are not intended for all food waste. Fibrous foods such as artichokes, celery, corn silks, and corncobs will not grind properly. Other no-nos: banana peels, rice, onionskins, bones, fruit pits, paper, rope, metals and plastics.
Do not dispose of grease in your sink. Refrigerate it in a closed container for disposal with your regular trash.
You should run cold water before, during and after running your disposal to ensure a flushed line.
Maximizing the use of the disposal and minimizing food wastes in regular trash will discourage rodents from ripping open trash bags and spreading garbage around the property.

GRILLS

The Virginia Fire Prevention Code prohibits open fires and use of electric grills within 10 feet of any combustible structure. The use and storage of propane cylinders in multi-family dwellings is prohibited.

HEATING AND AIR CONDITION LINES (HVAC)

Replacement of HVAC lines does not require a variance if the lines are run through an existing building penetration. Otherwise, a unit owner must request a variance. See the Appendix.

HOME BUSINESSES

Commercial use of units is prohibited. See Bylaws Article XI, "Use Restrictions."

HOT TUBS

The Board has prohibited installation of new hot tubs.

IDENTIFICATION CARDS

Residents must present a Fairlington Villages ID card to use the swimming pools and tennis courts. New residents may obtain IDs for a fee by producing proof of ownership or a copy of the lease. Only tenants named in the lease may receive an ID. Lost cards may be replaced at the management office for a fee. Cards are revalidated in the spring at no cost.

LEASING YOUR UNIT

Leases must include a clause that tenants will comply with the bylaws and other rules. Owners are responsible for the actions of their tenants. Owners must provide a copy of the lease to management.

NOISE

Generally residents should be considerate of their neighbors at all times and particularly during nighttime hours, 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Construction renovation is prohibited generally after 6 p.m. See the Noise policy in the Appendix.

ODORS

Residents shall not cause or permit any objectionable odors to be produced upon or emanate from their unit.

PARKING Vehicles parked in off-street lots must display a Fairlington Villages sticker. Parking stickers for the following calendar year may be picked up in the management office beginning in October. Stickers expire December 31; vehicles without a valid sticker are subject to tow without notice.

The Association issues up to two stickers per unit. The primary, orange sticker entitles residents of a unit to park in any lot, including the community center lot. Vehicles with a green sticker may use lots not designated as "orange-only."

Vehicles may not be stored in off-street parking lots. Vehicles must display current municipal and state tax and inspection stickers.

RVs, boats and other trailers are prohibited in parking lots. Arlington and Alexandria also limit RV parking and prohibit boat and trailer parking on Fairlington streets.

Arlington and Alexandria require permits to park in some areas.

PATIOS

Unit owners may make improvements that do not exceed the height or boundaries of the privacy fence. Improvements may not alter or damage the fence or building, affect drainage, pose a hazard to residents or in any other way negatively affect their neighbors. Residents may affix decorations to the inside of a patio fence below the fence line. See Decoration — Limited Common Areas and Shared Common Areas in the Appendix.

Residents with fenced yards may plant Associationapproved flowers, shrubs, or small ornamental trees inside their fences. Trees may only be planted as long as they are a minimum of six feet away from the building walls and fences and do not grow taller than 20 feet. Please contact management for a list of approved patio trees.

Maintenance of trees within a patio depends on whether it existed before the condo conversion, in which case the Association is responsible, or grew after conversion, in which case it is the current owner's responsibility. See the Patio Tree Removal policy in the Appendix.

PEST CONTROL

You should contact management if you see an opening in a building that may allow pests (insects, mice, squirrels, birds, etc.) to enter.

The Association is responsible for securing the exterior of a building and treating termites. The unit owner is responsible for securing and treating the interior against pests inside the unit, and for any damages inside (except termites).

PETS

Pets must be carried or on leash when on the common grounds or apartment hallways. The Association supports enforcement of Arlington and Alexandria leash laws. Owners must clean up after their pets and dispose of feces in the street trashcans. Dog owners should insure that their pets do not urinate on the flowers or delicate shrubbery planted throughout the common grounds. Owners are liable for damages their pets cause.

Excessive barking violates our noise rule.

The Board takes pet complaints seriously. Management investigates repeated disturbances and takes whatever action is necessary to ensure neither pets nor their owners disturb residents.

Arlington and Alexandria require annual pet licensing.

Pet owners are encouraged to take advantage of the dog runs at Utah Field in South Fairlington and on the north bank of Four Mile Run on Arlington Mill Drive.

The Animal Welfare League of Arlington is at 2650 South Arlington Mill Drive. Telephone 703-931- 9241. Email: mail@awla.org. Web:www.awla.org.

PLANTING BEDS

Residents are encouraged to take responsibility for the maintenance of planting beds in common grounds. They also may establish new beds.

Existing Beds. Residents may obtain from the office red reflectors to mark beds they agree to maintain. A reflector indicates to landscape contractors that a resident will maintain — water, weed, and prune — plants in the bed. Red reflectors may be issued from April 1 to November 1, when the Association resumes responsibility for the winter months.

New Beds. Residents may create a planting bed outside, but adjacent to, the patio fence line without specific approval. Beds may also be created adjacent to resident building walls after approval by the Buildings and Grounds Committee and Board of Directors. Beds may extend 21/2 feet from the building or fence. The Appendix lists approved species of perennials, groundcovers and shrubs. Beds may also be created in common areas away from buildings and fences with the approval of B&G and the Board.

Annuals may be planted anywhere except specific focal beds. Contact B&G.

Vegetable plants are permitted only within patio fences.

Shrubs and trees planted in common areas must be of similar height and pattern to existing plants. They become the property of the Association, and residents may not remove them without written permission.

See Planting Beds in the Appendix.

PLUMBING AND SEWER LINES

To keep the sewer lines clear, please follow precautions:

Do not dispose of grease, tampons, dental floss, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, paper towels, or other foreign matter in toilets or sinks.
Drains should be equipped with a hair trap to prevent clogging.
Commercial drain cleaners may be used. Snaking may be appropriate.
Water heaters are the responsibility of the unit owner. The shut-off valve should be located above the tank.
Basement sump pumps are the owners' responsibility.
Plumbing shut-off valves in apartment buildings are located in the basement. In townhouses they are in the same room as the water heater.

RECYCLING

See Trash and Recycling in chapter 4 and the Trash Enforcement Policy in the Appendix.

RENOVATIONS

See Architectural Changes.

SELLING YOUR UNIT

As a seller, you are required by law to provide to the buyer a certificate of resale, which management prepares for a fee. The resale packet includes statements concerning your assessment account, your unit, Association finances and insurance, and copies of the condominium declaration and bylaws. You or your real estate broker should contact the office when you are preparing to sell. Resale packets are good only for 60 days.

A blanket variance allows homeowners to place certain realty signs near their units. See Standard Sign Variance in the Appendix.

As a buyer, you must provide the Association the name and address of your mortgage company and a copy of the settlement sheet so that it can maintain accurate ownership records.

SIGNS

Except for blanket variances for a single realty sign and display of the American flag, residents may not display signs in front of their units or in windows.

SOLICITATION

Solicitors are prohibited, and management acts against them. We depend on you to call the office to report flyers and other solicitations.

STAIRWAYS

No article may be placed in apartment hallways. Doorways must be kept clear.

STORAGE

Bicycles, motorcycles and mopeds may be stored in patio sheds. Storage sheds may not exceed the height of the fence. Front porches and steps, and apartment hallways may not be used for storage. Management may dispose of items from stairways or charge residents daily storage fees.

TEMPORARY STRUCTURES

No temporary structures (trailers, tents, shacks, barns, or other outbuildings) may be maintained on common property.

THERMOSTATS

Heating units should never be turned off in winter. We advise you to set your thermostat no lower than 55. When you are away, leave cabinet doors under sinks open so that warmer air can reach the pipes. Burst pipes have occurred every year since renovation, and the results have been predictably disastrous and expensive.

TRASH

See Trash and Recycling in chapter 4 and the Trash Enforcement policy in the Appendix.

USE OF UNITS

Fairlington Villages is a residential community. Commercial activities are prohibited. Units may not be leased for transient or short-term purposes. Units may not be used to carry on a noxious or offensive activity.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION

Virginia law requires residents to register their vehicles within 60 days of moving to or within the Commonwealth. At the request of Arlington County, the Association annually submits a list of all vehicles registered with the Association.

VIOLATIONS

Under the Virginia Condominium Act, residents found in violation of Association policies and rules may be assessed penalties of $50 plus $10 a day for continuing violations. See Rules Enforcement/Due Process Procedure in the Appendix.

WATER FAUCETS

Before the first freeze in the fall, residents should shut off the valve to water faucets, open the outside faucet, and disconnect any hoses. (Hoses that are common property should be returned to the office.) The shut-off valve in most apartment buildings and townhouses is in the basement or common stairwell. (Where the shut-off valve is in the common area stairwell, management will turn off the water.) Owners are liable for any damages resulting from frozen lines if they control access to the valves. The office can answer questions.

Many Ward 6 units (in Alexandria) still have original vacuum valves on their exterior faucets. After turning off the water supply inside and opening the exterior faucet, you can unscrew the vacuum valve inside the faucet to allow water to drain. Some faucets are equipped with vacuum release levers.

WINDOW REPLACEMENT

The maintenance and replacement of windows are the unit owner's responsibility. Windows must be white and have one horizontal and two vertical grids in "six over six" panels. See the Window Replacement policy in the Appendix.

Nothing shall be hung, attached or shaken from any window. No unit owner shall permit any dirt or any other substance to be swept or thrown from any window.

WINDOW TREATMENTS

Window treatments such as curtains, shades, blinds and shutters must be in good condition and have a neutral backing or lining so as to not detract from the appearance of the buildings.

YARD SALES

Yard sales are prohibited except for the communitywide sales in spring and fall in the community center parking lot. Residents may obtain a space on the morning of the sale for a nominal fee. The Community Activities Committee invites your participation in organizing the activity, which helps raise funds for other events.