![[sidebar]](images/content_side.jpg)
Frequently Asked Questions
What recreational amenities are available?Bristow Village offers an adult swimming pool and a kiddie (toddler) pool, several playgrounds, and extensive common grounds. Elementary and high schools are within walking distance, and residents of Bristow Village have easy access to playgrounds, tracks, and recreational facilities at the schools. Also within walking distance is the Fairfax County Recreational facility at Wakefield Park. That facility has an Olympic size indoor pool, full gym, indoor racquet ball courts, outdoor tennis courts, baseball fields, and also offers a wide range of educational and recreational courses. Bicycle and walking trails lead to other County recreational parks. A new skateboard park opens at Wakefield in 2004. Is reserved resident parking available?Each townhome is assigned one reserved parking space. Owners may purchase one hang tag for the reserved parking spot assigned to their townhome. A second hang tag may be purchased for parking a second car in any non-reserved spot. New owners should contact the management company to apply for parking hang tags. Renters should contact their landlord to ask for transfer of the hang tags. May visitors park in the Village without hang-tags?Visitors without hang tags may park in non-reserved spots Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM Cars in violation of parking rules are subject to towing. Is trash pickup part of the Association services?Yes. The Association contracts for refuse removal, which is covered by annual assessment fees. What is the community association, and how do I join?Membership in the Bristow Village Homeowners Association is automatic upon purchase of a home. Is there an annual membership assessment fee for Bristow Village?The Board of Directors of the Association sets the annual assessment and notifies homeowners in early December of each year. Homeowners may pay the entire annual amount in advance or in quarterly installments beginning January 1 of the year. Payment of assessments is both a legal obligation and an investment in the preservation of the community. Can homeowners’ assessments be increased?Yes, annual assessments may increase each year to the extent allowed in Association Bylaws. Special assessments may be levied for major periodic expenses related to capital or common area needs. Can an owner avoid paying assessments for the common expenses of the property?No. All owners must pay their fair share of common expenses. If a payment is late, the Board is required to impose penalties and is empowered to take collection actions, if necessary. Who is responsible for maintaining the exterior of the townhomes?Owners are responsible for maintaining both the interior and the exterior of their properties. The Association is responsible for maintaining all common areas and buildings. Who is responsible for landscaping and yard maintenance?The Association provides landscaping services to the common areas including weeding, trimming, grass cutting, and trimming and fertilization of shrubs and trees. Homeowners are responsible for the maintenance and replacement of lawns, shrubs and trees within their property lines. Are fences required?Privacy fences are required on either side of a townhome. Architectural guidelines describe types of fencing permitted. Are there any rules for installing decks?All proposed deck construction must go through the approval process with the Architecture Committee. Repair and repainting of existing decks using the only approved paint, Olde Tavern Brown by Sherwin Williams, does not require prior approval. Can the Association tell an owner what he can and cannot do on his own property?The Association is authorized to adopt Bylaws and other rules and regulations that may govern an owner’s conduct on his own property. Owners are required to abide by the covenants and restrictions in the Governing Documents. What happens if an owner does not abide by the restrictive covenants, Bylaws, rules and regulations?Covenants, conditions and restrictions described in the Governing Documents may not be violated. The Governing Documents are a legal and binding contract for anyone who chooses to purchase property within the Village. Fees, sanctions, and other consequences for non-compliance may be applied by the Board of Directors. How Is Information Disseminated throughout the Village?The Bristow Villager, the monthly newsletter, is delivered to all homeowners and residents. The newsletter contains information about Board actions, notice of community activities, timely tips to help you maintain your home, and other items of interest. The Bristow Village website, www.bristowvillage.com, provides additional information. GovernanceWhat legal right does the Association have to make rules?The Virginia Property Association Act gives community associations the right to formulate covenants and other deed restrictions for the management, regulation and control of the development. Powers, privileges, and obligations of the elected Board of Directors, which manages the Association, are described in two legal documents:
What Is the Board of Directors?The Board of Directors serves as the governing body of the Association. Association members elect nine directors for staggered terms of three years. The Board of Directors elects association officers from the Board’s membership each year after the Annual Meeting held in May. Committees assist the Board and approved contractors to carry out Board responsibilities and provide services to homeowners. What Services Do Contractors Provide?
|
© 2004, Bristow Village Homeowners Association, Inc.