Audubon SQUARE/FALLBROOKNEWSLETTER

Audubon SQUARE/FALLBROOKNEWSLETTER

Volume 1 / Issue 4July 2017

By purchasing your home, you agreed to certain rules and use restrictions. Rules apply to the common areas; such as the pool, clubhouse or playground, whereas use restrictions apply outside of the common areas. Architectural controls are one of the most common types of use restrictions.

Architectural controls apply to changes on a homeowner's property. Some of the typical areas of regulation include; constructing additions, exterior painting, and changing the landscaping around your home. In short, these types of modifications usually require written pre-approval from the Architectural Control Committee ("ACC"), sometimes known as the Architectural Review Committee ("ARC") orthe Architectural and Environmental Control Committee ("AECC").

The Declaration of Covenants often provides that the ACC will be appointed by the Board, but occasionally it will provide that the committee members are voted in by the homeowners. In small subdivisions, it is not uncommon for the Board members to also serve as the ACC.

The covenants will typically state that the ACC or Board can create Architectural Guidelines. These guidelines are details about what is allowed and what is not allowed when making changes on a property. For instance, the covenants may prohibit chain link fences. Guidelines could then be passed that specify what types of fences are allowed, the height of the fence, materials to be used, etc... This gives the owners some direction on what is permitted before submitting their application for pre-approval to the ACC.

If the homeowner does not get written approval from the ACC prior to making changes on their property, he or she could be made to return the modification to its prior condition. Additional penalties can range anywhere from an initial warning letter to fines, and/or a suspension of membership rights.

All modifications to the exterior of your home and or decks or fencing require an AECC application and may require approval from the City of Gaithersburg. Obtaining the permit from the City is the responsibility of the home owner.

Understanding Architectural Controls

Exterior Home Inspection

The HOA and its management company will inspect the exterior of residential properties to ensure that they comply with the original design guidelines. Residents may find it useful to know what is inspected to ensure that their properties are within accepted guidelines.The property is being reviewed for appearance, cleanliness, and overall condition.

What are the specific items being checked? The exterior home inspection includes the following items:

Gutters: cleanliness, debris, and if any repairs are required / Siding: condition and if power washing is required
Exterior Wood: any wood rot that needs replacing / Landscaping: missing or dead shrubs
Shrubs & Beds: trimming, weeds, repairs to edging material / Trees: pruning, and removal of any dead trees/stumps
Grass: maintenance of grass, to include establishing and/or applying weed control / Paint: windows and trim, shutters, doors, and corner trim
Doors: condition and replacement if necessary / Fence: condition, replace missing/warped boards, repair gate
Decks: repair spindles, repair staircase, power wash, ensure correct color / Rear Yard: cleanliness and condition
Roof: repairs or replacement / Satellite: removed unapproved dish or conceal cabling
House Numbers: replace any missing numbers / Lead walks: repair cracks, replace trip hazards
Subsidence: fill holes with top soil around front stoop

Pilera

Audubon Square's new communication software, Pilera. Pilera will allow us to communicate with you regarding announcements, upcoming events and other important information by email, phone or text. It will allow you to view your account information and make on-line payments. To sign up,go to:.

HomeWiseDocs.com

SELLING YOUR HOUSE?? NEED HOA DOCUMENTS?? HomeWiseDocs.com is the industry leader in helping community management companies effectively manage key profit centers relating to Resale Disclosures, Payoffs for loans or title transfers, for providing lenders with required Lender Questionnaires, and for providing supporting Association documents. To order HOA documents, go to: .