What should you do if you receive a Violation?
Notice for a Maintenance Problem
From time-to-time any of us could receive a covenants violation notice related to a
maintenance problem. Notices outline the nature of the violation; action that should be
taken to cure it; and the association’s covenants process that is followed, when needed,
to enforce compliance. Most violations are relatively simple problems or deferred
maintenance issues that we can easily handle. For those of us who are not able or
inclined to do this kind of work, there are plenty of “handyman” maintenance services in
Loudoun County that, for a fee, will do the work. That can be very important when safety
is a factor, like climbing on ladders or using power tools or heavy-duty pressure
cleaners.
- If you need help or advice, call the HOA office: If you receive a violations citation, and
you have questions, disagree with the notice’s findings, or just need a bit of guidance, call
the association office. The number is (703)723-8300. Our staff is ready, willing, and able to
provide you with advice and guidance. - Don’t ignore your written notice: When a homeowner ignores a request to fix a problem
or refuses to comply, our association staff is required to diligently, fairly, and impartially take
action to enforce compliance. They follow a formal process that includes written notices,
benchmark inspections, and hearings. - Understand that there are consequences: Please remember… It can be a lot less
expensive and easier to fix a violation than to deal with the consequences for non-
compliance. Failure to comply, after an association hearing has been held, can lead to: 1)
fines of $10.00 per day, until the violation is cured, up to as much as $900 per violation plus
legal fees to enforce collection; 2) temporary shut-down of homeowner gate access, for up
to sixty days, requiring all vehicles registered at the property to have to go through the guest
gate at the main entrance in order to gain access to the community; and 3) in extreme
circumstances, legal action through the courts. - Notify the association by email when you have fixed the problem: If you were cited for a
violation and fixed the problem, it is your responsibility to notify the association that the work
has been completed. An association staff member will then re-inspect your property to
ensure that the work was properly done. At that time, the violation can be closed on the
association’s books so that no further enforcement action is taken.
The proof is in the pudding!
Do Belmont homeowners really support our association’s covenants program? “The
proof is in the pudding!” This is an old saying that applies… meaning you should taste
the pudding to determine if the recipe is good. In other words, the value, quality, or truth
of something should be judged based on direct experience with it, or on its results. The
pristine appearance of our community is not an accident… It is a direct result of support
of the association’s covenants program on the part of the vast majority of our
association’s general membership.