- Homeowner Dues:

• Where do I drop off my homeowner dues?
• How much are my homeowner dues?
• When do I have to pay them?
• What do the homeowner dues cover?
• Why do the homeowner's dues go up each year?

- Administration:

• Where is the Pinewood Lake office located and when is it open?
• How can I find out most of the rules and regulations quickly?
• How do I obtain a copy of records or other documentation?
• How can I view the latest Reserve Study for Pinewood Lake?
• How do I order a disclosure packet and how much does it cost?

- Architectural Control Committee (ACC):

• What does the ACC look for during a Walk Around Inspection?
• What is the annual “walk around?”
• What do I need to do if I want to make changes to the outside of my home?
• When do I need to submit a request to the Architectural Control Committee (ACC)?
• Who do I submit a ACC request to?
• Why should I submit an ACC request form?
• Where can I find the approved paint colors for the exterior of my house?
• What is a rake board, fascia board, gutter, downspout, and other terms?
• Why can’t I just remove my lamppost, wrought iron fences, shutters, etc. if I feel like it?
   

- Trash:

• When is the trash picked up?
• What number do I call to schedule a special trash pickup?
• What is considered a special pickup and is there a charge for a special pickup?
• How do I dispose of large household appliances?

- Pool:

• How many people from my house can use the swimming pool?

- Other:

• Who are the local elected public officials and how can I contact them?
• Who provides the utility services and how can I contact them?

• Q. Where do I drop off my homeowner dues?
  A. You can mail them to the office, bring them by the office during office hours, or drop them in the mail slot to the right of the front door of the office.

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• Q. How much are my homeowner dues?
  A. The amount of homeowner dues may change each year. This year dues are $1,452.00 per year, but they can be paid in installments as small as $121.00 per month. 

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• Q. When do I have to pay them?
  A. Homeowner fees are payable by the 1st of the month. Dues are considered late if they are not received in the office by the 15th of the month.

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• Q. What do the homeowner dues cover?
  A. Homeowner fees pay for a wide variety of services such as: Common grounds maintenance, Administration, Utilities, Refuse Collection, Pool operations and maintenance, Security, Publications, Architectural Control, Hospitality, Area-Wide Activities and Marketing. For more detailed information click here.

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• Q. Why do the homeowner's dues go up each year?
  A. By the authority of our By Laws, the consumer price index (expressed as a percentage) is applied, and if an increase is noted, the annual assessment is increased by the CPI to arrive at the assessment for the following year.

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• Q. Where is the Pinewood Lake office located?
  A. The office is located at 8159 Fernlake Ct., Alexandria, VA 22309, by the community swimming pool (see the map of Pinewood Lake).  It is open from Noon-3:00 PM Monday through Friday and 9:00 AM-Noon on Saturday.

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• Q. How do I order a disclosure packet and how much does it cost?
  A. If you are selling your home and need a disclosure packet, call the office at 703-360-6212 or email the office at plha@verizon.net to order your packet.  You will need to pay $100 if you would like the packet within two weeks.  You will need to pay $125 if you need the packet within three business days.  Please note that we also charge a $25 transfer fee payable at settlement.

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• Q. What do I need to do if I want to make changes to the outside of my home?
  A. You need to obtain from the office and fill out an ACC Approval Request form if you want to make any changes to the outside of your home. Once you have filled out the form, you need to submit it to the office. The office staff will insure that it gets to the Architectural Control Committee for their review at their next meeting.

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• Q. What number do I call to schedule a special trash pickup?
  A. Special pickups consisting of mattresses, couches, and appliances take place on Mondays and Thursdays without a special phone call.  Special pickups consisting of any other items must be scheduled in advance by calling Nightingale Trucking Company at 703-360-6634. 

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• Q. What is considered a special pickup and is there a charge for a special pickup?
  A. Special pickups consist of furniture, mattresses, rolled carpeting, and other large miscellaneous household items (including appliances) placed at the curb. There should not be a charge for special pickups, though you must schedule special pickups consisting of items other than mattresses, couches, and appliances.

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• Q. How do I dispose of large household appliances?
  A. Place them out for pickup on Monday or Thursday morning before 7:00 AM.

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• Q. When is the trash picked up?
  A. Regular trash collection is on Monday and Thursday of each week. Recyclable material is picked up on Monday.  Trash is not collected on Christmas Day but is collected on every other holiday.

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• Q. How many people from my house can use the swimming pool?
  A. Only permanent residents of your home can use the swimming pool. Pool use is restricted to households of owners who are current with their dues.
  Pool passes can be obtained through the office using this form.

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• Q. What is my PLHA account number?
  A. The Lot Number, which is a three digit number, and appears on your deed, is you account number. Please put your Lot # on your check when paying your homeowners' dues.

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• Q. How can I find out most of the rules and regulations quickly?
  A. By attending a Newcomers Briefing by the Community Manager or a Welcome Coffee hosted by the Hospitality Committee. The monthly newsletter, The Needle, also reviews small portions of the Covenants, By Laws, and Architectural Standards from time to time. All of the regulations are contained in the Rules & Standards book, republished in 2001 and available in the disclosure packet to new purchasers of homes in Pinewood Lake.
  Note: A copy of the Rules and Regulations can also be downloaded from this site on this page in pdf format.

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• Q. How do I obtain a copy of records or other documentation?
  A. Most documents and records applying to Pinewood Lake are located in the office (at 8159 Fernlake Court), and are available for a fee. Please see Policy Resolution 2003-02, in your Rules & Standards book or  on this web site.

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• Q. What does the ACC look for during a Walk Around Inspection?
  A. A sample inspection form appears on page III-40 of our ACC Standards.  You can see a list of inspection items here.

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• Q: What is the annual “walk around?”
  A: The Annual “Walk-Around” inspection is conducted by the ACC Administrator. The principle behind the inspection is “your house reflects on my house.” Property values of PWL homes are dependent on the overall appearance of the adjoining homes, the street, and the development as a whole. The old saying, “one rotten apple spoils the barrel” is very appropriate in a townhouse development. The inspections, and the resultant reports to the homeowners, are designed to identify shortcomings and deficiencies of the property, and bring them to the attention of the homeowner for corrective action. The governing document for the inspection is Part III of the Rules & Standards book, which is distributed to every homeowner.

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• Q: When do I need to submit a request to the Architectural Control Committee (ACC)?
  A: The PLHA Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (DCCR), Article VIII, provides that ANY change of the exterior portion of our townhouses, including the erection of structures on the premises, must be approved by the ACC. This requirement includes not only all house paint, but also window design and all exterior structures such as: patios, walkways, fences, walls, large hedges, sheds, doghouses, awnings, TV antennas, and roof structures. Because the intent or scope of the projects are not always clear, it is suggested the homeowner coordinate directly with the ACC Administrator (Ms. Karen Jones, plhaacc@aol.com or 703-203-4506), and follow up by attending the ACC meeting at which the request is scheduled for discussion. Questions can be answered at the meeting, and the requestor can proceed with it.

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• Q: Who do I submit a ACC request to?
  A: Submit the ACC request form (a sample is in Part III of the Rules & Standards) to the PLHA office.

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• Q: Why should I submit an ACC request form?
  A: The best reason for preparing a request form is to clarify your request both in the homeowner’s mind and for approval by the architectural committee. By filling out the form, to include attaching drawings and brief specifications to the form, the owner is forced to plan the project thoroughly. By thorough planning, the planned modifications and/or additions stand a better chance of success. No project will be approved unless submitted on the ACC form.

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• Q: Where can I find the approved paint colors for the exterior of my house?
  A: There are paint chips in the PLHA office with all currently approved paint colors. These paint chips will help you find the correct color for your house.

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• Q: What is a rake board, fascia board, gutter, downspout, and other terms?
  A: These terms are defined and/or illustrated in Part III, Code of Standards, in the Rules & Standards book.

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• Q: Why can’t I just remove my lamppost, wrought iron fences, shutters, etc. if I feel like it?
  A: Pinewood Lake was designed in the “Federal style.” Lampposts in the front yards, wrought iron fences separating the parking pads from the front yards and on stairs and balconies, and shutters flanking certain style windows, are all part of this “Federal style.” Maintenance of this style is considered essential to maintenance of the property values of Pinewood Lake town homes. Shutter “standards,” with descriptions and illustrations, are included in Part III of the Rules & Standards.

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• Q: Who are the local public officials and how can I contact them?
  A: Click here for a detailed list of elected public officials and their contact information.

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• Q: Who provides the utility services and how can I contact them?
  A: Click here for a detailed list of the utilities providers.

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For other questions, please call the PLHA Office, at 703 360 6212.
 

Pinewood Lake Homeowners Association
8159 Fernlake Court, Alexandria, VA 22309-1209
Tel: 703-360-6212  Fax: 703-360-6771  email: plha@verizon.net

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