Fairland Towns Homeowner Association
PO Box 1376
Annandale, VA 22003
www.fairlandtownshoa.com
May 2025
Dear Neighbor,
I hope all our Moms had a peaceful Mother’s Day. April showers are better late than never. The rain has really helped to green-up the neighborhood. It certainly gives us a fresh and appealing look.
Bravo!
Speaking of looking good, Garden of the Month honors for May go to the Centeno family at 6515 Major Street. Seems our “east side” homes are on a streak for yard honors. Thanks for your efforts in keeping your community an attractive destination. Stop by to say congratulations or just have a look. Photos are also on our website.
ARB Home Inspections.
ARB infractions letters for the Spring inspection are currently being emailed, so be on the lookout. If you receive an infraction notice, our bylaws allow 30 days to complete and REPORT repairs to the ARB officer (Hector), or to present a reasonable plan to complete repairs (usually no more than 90 days) if there are extenuating circumstances. If we do not hear from you by 30 June with completion or a plan, your property will begin to accumulate a $150 fine per month or partial month beginning 1 August, until all repairs are completed. First order of business will be those homes who have “PERSISTENT” actions listed during the 2025 inspection, which means that these infractions were cited a year ago during the 2024 inspection and have still not been addressed. Remember, the new fines were approved by you, the homeowners, at our September 2024 community meeting, as a means to enforce architectural standards. We remain committed to work collaboratively with homeowners to maintain their property for theirs’ and the community’s benefit, but we will no longer ignore flagrant disregard for our established community bylaws. Please do your bit to keep Fairland Towns a preferred living destination and keep resale values high.
Do Do Your Dues.
Dues reminders will be issued in June. Dues are $500 and due by 31 July. Expanded options for paying are available and explained in the Email. We are still working on bank-to-bank electronic transfers. If we succeed in getting that in place before July 1, I will send out a community email to advise. In accordance with our digital movement, we will not mail dues reminders by USPS any longer. All reminders now and going forward will be electronic Email only. We rely on your prompt payment of dues so we can pay our bills for essential services that you expect.
Power Wash-Away the Winter.
As a reminder, our community power washer is available for your use – no charge. It does wonders in reviving exteriors, stairs, drives and walkways. Call or text Jeff at (703) 350-8320, to reserve it for a day.
The Great Stick-Up.
Thank you to everyone who made quick work of having our collected sticks and yard debris picked up in the weekly trash. It saved the community a bunch of $$$ by doing this ourselves instead of having to pay for removal. We ask that everyone continue to pick-up fallen branches around your home (including behind and adjacent) throughout the year, especially after heavy storms or winds. If you happen upon some large branches, the HOA has a chain saw to help cut them down to size. Just notify us and we will help you.
Holy Smokes!
During weekly trash patrols we encounter a lot of cigarette butts and packs around and inside of our community grounds, particularly in front of the two common parking areas on the south side along Major Street. Be respectful of our community grounds. It is common courtesy to responsibly dispose of butts and residue.
Trash Bins.
A reminder that FTHOA bylaws require all organic trash to be placed in a covered bin when placed curbside. This is to prevent attracting rodents, birds and other animals. If you need a bin, you can order one from our trash service, Republic, online and free of charge. They will deliver it to your home. Doesn’t get easier than that!
Board at Work.
We recently contracted Fito Services to trim another common area tree that was impacting a home and avoid damage to the structure. Another homeowner piggybacked on that visit by Fito to trim back private trees that were infringing on an adjacent neighbor’s property. Thanks for being a considerate neighbor.
From the Archives.
As we move to digitize HOA files, I have run across old newsletters from the community’s more than 30-year history. It is amazing, but not surprising, that many community concerns and issues remain constant. I will use the newsletter to highlight one of these matters each month, primarily to let you know that your concerns and ours are as important today as they were to past residents.
Among the most frequent matters cited in the past 30 years is illegal/improper home and yard alterations in violation of the FTHOA architectural guidelines. Likewise, most homeowners who were cited have replied that they simply “did not read the guidelines.” This has made it difficult for your Board to maintain standards and have cost some homeowners significant amounts of money to bring properties within standards. This certainly has a familiar ring and is an easy fix. If you are planning any alterations – ANY alterations – read the ARB guidelines and then make a quick check with the ARB Officer, Hector Centeno, to ensure it is allowed and to know if you are required to file an alteration request form for approval with the Board BEFORE you begin work.
WWW.FAIRLANDTOWNSHOA.COM.
Please become familiar with our FTHOA community website www.fairlandtownshoa.com . It is your GO-TO place for current news in the community. You will also find our bylaws and Architectural Guidelines, as well as reference materials for all you home improvements needs and approved exterior paint colors. If you would like us to add a “Preferred Contractor” that you recommend to your neighbors for their quality work, let us know who they are and why you liked them. Remember, we have moved to digital communication as primary, so you will receive mailings only in an emergency. All HOA and official notifications will be sent by email or on our website.
The Really Good News.
Another home in our community just sold. It was only on the market a week, though we do not yet know the selling price. This is a testament to FT being a “preferred residential neighborhood,” and the attention we give to our own homes and community, so that when our turn to sell comes, we have the same success. It is not luck – it is cooperation and hard work by us all, as a community. Another home will come up for sale very soon – fingers crossed for similar success!
That is all for May. Enjoy the Memorial Day holiday as we salute our service members and first-responders who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our country and its values.
Spread kindness!
Cheers,
Kevin (703-772-6216), Ronda, Neil, Jeff and Hector