FAQS
FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions)
If you have questions, please call FirstService Residential Customer Care at 703-385-1133 or email PropertyManager@unionmills.com.
Architectural
Change Request Form, Process and Builder Information
In order to maintain the values of your homes and the desirability of the community, our management company (First Service Management) do bi-weekly curbside inspections, as well as bi-annual full inspections. When the weather warms up and the winter snows melt away for the last time, it will be a good time to check over your house and see how the last year has treated the exterior of your home.
Per the Design Guidelines, residents are responsible for maintaining the exterior of their dwellings and any other structures on their lots, such as decks, fences, sheds, and playground-type equipment. Most residents would not allow any of the following conditions to exist. Rather, they seek to preserve and protect the investment in their homes and to limit their personal liability by keeping all improvements on their lots in good condition. The Association expects all residents will do the maintenance necessary to prevent any of the cited conditions from occurring in Union Mills. While it is difficult to provide precise criteria for what the Association deems as unacceptable conditions, the following list represents some of the conditions that are considered to be a violation of the Covenants:
(a) Peeling, cracked, and chipped paint on exterior trim;
(b) Dented mailboxes, or mailboxes in need of repainting [SFH];
(c) Broken playground equipment or equipment needing painting;
(d) Broken fences or fences needing parts and repairs;
(e) Broken or sagging gates or gates needing parts and repairs;
(f) Decks with missing or broken parts;
(g) Foundations in need of repainting;
(h) Dented, loose, or missing siding or trim, gutters, and down spouts; and
(i) Mold, mildew, or other stains on siding, roofs, fences, driveways, or other physical structures.
Typical Inspection Items – Below are a few of the items we look for during annual inspections. Please note that the list below is not all inclusive and additional items may be cited if they are not in compliance with the community’s architectural Guidelines. The Townhomes will be inspected from the front, side and rear (from the common areas) and the single family homes will inspected from the front due to the lack of common area access.
When is my lot inspected?
Annual Inspections occur usually in the spring.
What is being checked?
The property is being reviewed for appearance, cleanliness, and overall condition. It will also be looked at to determine if the property is not in compliance with our 2015 architectural design guidelines.
What are some of the other specific items that are being checked?
The exterior home inspection includes (but is not limited to) the following items:
- Gutters: cleanliness, debris, and if any repairs are required
- Siding: condition and if power washing is required
- Exterior Wood: any broken or rotted trim wood that needs replacing or wood that is covered with mildew/algae.
- Fencing: Damaged, rotted or leaning fences or broken gates.
- Entry steps: Cleanliness
- Landscaping: missing or dead shrubs
- Shrubs & Beds: trimming, weed control, 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 (faded or oxidized)
- Garage Doors: painting, condition
- Entry Doors: condition and replacement if necessary
- Fence: condition, replace missing/warped boards, repair gate and/or latch
- Decks: repair spindles, repair staircase, power wash, ensure correct color
- Rear Yard: cleanliness and condition
- Sheds: non-approved sheds – Any shed that was installed without an approved application
- Roof: repairs or replacement – or black roof stains from roof algae (Geocapsa Magma)
- Satellite: unapproved dish or conceal cabling
- Window air conditioners: outside window units that extend beyond the window sash
- House Numbers: replace any missing numbers
- Lead walks: (sidewalks) – repair cracks, correct trip hazards
- Foundation Walls (concrete): paint, condition and grading where waterproofing is exposed.
- Subsidence: fill soil surface holes with top soil around front stoop and other areas as needed
- Mailboxes: (single family only) stain or repaint posts and/or mailboxes
- Miscellaneous Items: public view storage of trash cans, recycling bins and miscellaneous items such as garden tools, children’s toys, etc.
For any changes to the exterior of the home, you must submit an architectural application for change. This includes, but is not limited to, color changes, additions, storm doors, exterior entry doors, windows, siding, roofs, roof shingles, decks, fences, play sets, and exterior decorative objects. Please refer to the Architectural Design Guidelines for a more specific list of requirements or contact your First Service Residential Property Manager. You may download the ACC application form (see link below) and email it to PropertyManager@unionmills.com.
MAKE sure that you have all your specs, Manufacturer names, Model #’s and detailed descriptions listed on the actual application. While other supporting documentation (IE – Brochures, Web Links and physical samples are helpful), the specifics must be listed on the ACC Application itself.
Thank you.
Link to ACC Application (click here)
Also see Article 20 Fairfax County Zoning Laws for Union Mills
Union Mills is a well-established neighborhood of 94 garage-unit townhouses and 217 non-garage townhouses and 57 single family homes tucked in the southwest corner of Fairfax County, Virginia. The community was developed by Hazel Peterson circa 1991.
Within the town home areas the builders were Van Metre Companies and Batal Builders. In the single family section, the primary builder was Van Metre, however some of the homes were built by J Alfandre (Clarion Homes) and Battlefield Builders.
In the town home section, Van Metre built 2 traditional products. One was a wider than usual 22 foot townhome in both a garage and non-garage model, while Batal built a more contemporary 20 foot home (both in a garage and non-garage model).
Here is a list of the homes if you would like to know who your builder was at the time.
Canada Goose Ct – 13500-13556 – Van Metre 22 ft wide (Mixed garage and non-garage)
Covey Lane – 13500-13506 – Van Metre 22 ft wide w/garages.
Covey Lane – 13508-13524 – Van Metre 16-18 ft wide – no garage
Darter Ct – 13500-13554 – Batal 20 ft wide (Mixed garage and non-garage)
Gosling Ct – 5600-5622 – Batal 20 ft wide (Mixed garage and non-garage)
Gosling Dr – 5601-5635 – Batal 20 ft wide (Mixed garage and non-garage)
Gosling Dr – 5660-5686 – Batal 20 ft wide (no garages)
Gosling Dr – 5651-5675 – Batal 20 ft wide (Mixed garage and non-garage)
Gray Bill Ct – 13500-13550 – Van Metre 22 ft wide (Mixed garage and non-garage)
Harrier Ct – 5700-5746 – Van Metre 16-18 ft wide – no garage
Mallard Watch Way – 13550-13542 – Batal 20 ft wide (Mixed garage and non-garage)
Osprey Ct – 5700-5750 – Van Metre 16-18 ft wide – no garage
Quail Ct – Van Metre 22 wide (All Garage Homes)
Ruddy Duck Rd – 13500-13577 – Van Metre 16-18 ft wide – no garage
White Dove Lane – 5651-5697 – Van Metre 16-18 ft wide – no garage
Buying, Selling or Renting
Yes! If you are selling your home, you are required to provide your buyers with a Resale Package (HOA Docs). This package includes all the updated Rules and Regulations for the community as well as a current year budget, newly adopted resolutions, newly adopted rules and regulations and most importantly, an inspection letter that identifies to the potential buyers any problems with the property.
COLD FEET – BUYER’S REMORSE—The Property Owners Association Act (the “Act”) gives contract purchasers three days to review the HOA docs, once they have been delivered to the purchaser, and cancel the purchase contract if unsatisfied with the Association’s setup or condition. If you have a current set of HOA docs that you can provide to purchaser in a timely manner, with financial information current within thirty days of the sales contract, your buyer might be less prone to back out of the contract. (Confer with your Realtor on this). If you need the certificate updated later, First Service Residential may charge a nominal fee for re-inspecting the home and reissuing the resale certificate. Also, remember that the Act allows First Service to process Resale Disclosure Request. Besides the exterior site inspection and production of the HOA documents, there are several other processes that have to be performed behind the scenes. Producing the HOA docs is just not as simple as you would think. First Service will be looking for items like the ones referenced below as well as any of the maintenance items referenced on page 1 under “Annual Home Inspections”. Click here for more information from FirstService Residential.
To order a Resale or Questionnaire package from First Service Residential Click Here (note you must login to FSR with your account)
It’s required that you complete and sign a Lease Addendum which can be downloaded from this link (Click Here). Then you’ll need to submit a copy of the lease along with the Lead Addendum to the property manager.
You can email both documents to PropertyManager@unionmills.com. If you have any questions, please call FirstService Residential at 703-385-1133.
It’s also a good idea to update our contact information for both you and your tenants (in case of an emergency).
Please also encourage your tenants to register on the Unionmills.com website, so that we can keep them updated on special events (Pool Parties, October Fest, Neighborhood Watch and Special Updates).
Community Life
- February 5th
- March 4th
- April 1st
- May 6th
- June 3rd
- August 5th
- September 2nd
- October 7th
- November 3rd
- December 2nd
Email Board@Unionmills.com.
FirstService Residential Virginia. We welcome your questions, comments, inquiries, compliments and even your complaints to help us tailor – and continuously improve – the outstanding services we provide to your community.
Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
11351 Random Hills Road, Suite 500
Fairfax, VA 22030CONTACT US
Telephone: 703.385.1133
Fax: 703.591.5785
24 hr Customer Care Center: 703.385.1133
After Hours Emergency: 703.385.1133
Setup your own FirstService Account or Login to your FirstService Account
Access your First Service Account and easily look up items, like your account balance, forms and documents, Newsletters and Resident directories or make On-line payments. When you setup your account, look for your account number on your coupon book.
Access your First Service Account and easily look up items, like your account balance, forms and documents, Newsletters and Resident directories or make On-line payments. When you setup your account, look for your account number on your coupon book.
Telephone: 703.385.1133
Fax: 703.591.5785
24 hr Customer Care Center: 703.385.1133
After Hours Emergency: 703.385.1133
Painting
Approved Exterior Paint color and Manufacturer
417 Exterior Painting. As a general rule, color changes apply not only to the house siding, but also to the doors, shutters, trim, roofing, and other component structures. Color changes must adhere to an approved color per the lists referenced below. The manufacturer of the paint is not required to be McCormick Paints.
[TH] The doors and shutters of all the townhomes in Union Mills are to be painted the same color. No two adjacent townhomes shall have doors and shutters the same or a similar color.
The following are approved colors for use on TH trim which is defined as the trim around the garage, doors, windows, and front porch and post.
- Batal townhomes
- McCormick – Amber White – 101
- McCormick – Super White – 100
- Sherman Williams – Ovation – Extra White – 636355 (at Lowes)
- Olympic – A01-6 – True White
- Van Metre townhomes (around the garage, doors, windows and front porches) is to be painted
- McCormick – Wheat – 108
- McCormick – Amber White – 101
- McCormick – Colonial White – 118
- McCormick – Old Colonial Red – 225
- McCormick – Farmhouse Red – 217
- McCormick – Carolina Slate – 226
- McCormick – Chesapeake Blue – 449
- McCormick – HearthStone – 216
- McCormick – GreyStone – 110
- McCormick – Incense – 106
- McCormick – Foxhall Green – 202
- McCormick – Williamsburg Blue – 227
- McCormick – Potomac Blue – 235
- McCormick – Kingston Clay – 120
- McCormick – Gunston Hall – 445
- McCormick – Thomas Point – 148
- McCormick – Black – 200
Parking Plan
Design Standards
APPENDIX H
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
To Install an Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Signature of Lot Owner
Signature of Lot Owner
Date: _________
Insurance Statement of Lot Owner Applying
To Install an Electric Vehicle Charging Station
(Must be included with any application to install an EV charging station)
2. The name of our homeowner’s insurance carrier is: _____________________.
Signature of Lot Owner
Exhibit 2
G.101 Portable Storage Units. Portable Storage Units are designed to assist homeowners in moving and storing household items while remodeling projects are underway or for other similar temporary, personal, non-business purposes.
G.102 Location. Owners of Single-Family homes or of Townhomes with garages wishing to use a Portable Storage Unit for a limited period of time, not to exceed 20 days, shall place no more than one such unit in the Homeowner’s driveway. Owners of townhomes without garages may place no more than one storage unit for a limited period of time, not to exceed 20 days, in the Owner’s reserved parking space. Under no circumstances shall a Portable Storage Unit be placed in a Visitor parking space and may not block or interfere with any designated Visitor parking space(s).
G.103 Portable Storage Unit Standards/Affidavit. Prior to the delivery and use of any Portable Storage Unit, an owner must submit an application to and receive approval from the ACC as provided in Chapter 2 of these Design Standards. Such Application shall also include an Affidavit as set forth below. The Affidavit holds the homeowner responsible for any damage to the Owner’s reserved parking space and provides the Association with a signed document that indicates the homeowner will not violate the parking Standards and other ACC Standards.
- Visitor Parking Permit Hangtags: All townhomes will be issued one (1) Union Mills visitor hangtag per townhome residence. When parking in a visitor space within the townhome areas, every vehicle must display the visitor hangtag 6 p.m. – 6 a.m. Your personalized Hangtag ID is printing on your hangtag.
- Three (3) day Rule: Any vehicle remaining in a visitor parking space in excess of three (3) consecutive calendar days shall be subject to enforcement action, to including towing of the vehicle at the owner’s risk and expense.
- Mandatory Use of Garage, Driveway, and Assigned Reserved Spaces: To ensure that visitor spaces are available as needed (for visitors) to all townhomes, and to thereby ensure that all townhome residents (and their visitors) have a fair opportunity to park in a visitor space, townhome residents must prioritize their garage, driveway and assigned spaces before resorting to use of the visitor spaces. It it therefore mandatory that residents use their garage, driveway and assigned reserved spaces prior to using the visitor spaces.
- Shell Game Violation: A numbered parking tag cannot occupy the same specific visitor space for more than three (3) consecutive days, regardless of whether that hangtag is displayed in different vehicles. Upon the expiration of the 3-day limit, that hangtag must move to either a different visitor space or off the common area altogether or the vehicle then displaying that hangtag will be subject to tow.
- Pool area Parking: No visitor parking permit hangtags required at any time through the year.
- Pool Season (Memorial Day to Labor Day): All vehicles parked overnight in the pool area must be moved out of the pool area by 9:00 each day. Other than vehicles of the lifeguards and the pool management supervisor, no other vehicles are allowed in the pool parking area between the hours of 9:00 am.m – 9:30 p.m. Violators shall be subject to towing. As of 9:30 a.m. and thereafter during the day until 9:30 p.m. parking in the pool area will limited to pool patrons, residents and guests of residents only.
- During the other time of the year when the pool is closed (September through May): Residents and guest may park in the pool parking area at any time without a visitor permit hangtag for a duration not to exceed three (3) consecutive Calendar days. Other parking restrictions set forth herein (e.g. no commercial vehicles, etc.) also pertain the pool area. Vehicles found to be using the pool area parking in violation of this rule shall be subject to enforcement action, including towning of the vehicle at the owner’s risk and expense.
8. Towing.
(a) The Association has a standing arrangement with a commercial towing company to provide both on-demand towing and towing of all vehicles parked in fire lanes, parked across sidewalks, and parked on common area grass. Unless as required herein, any vehicle parked in violation of the Declaration or these regulations shall be subject to immediate towing without notice or process.
PR 2010 – 7. Tradesmen. Vehicles of companies making repairs, replacements, deliveries, etc., are permitted between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Companies needing all-day parking should park in visitor spaces or the homeowner’s designated parking space. No overnight parking of commercial vehicles is permitted. The term “commercial vehicle” is defined in Section 21 of the Design Guidelines and is further defined in Section 9(d) below. During normal daytime business hours (7 am to 9 pm), a commercial vehicle owned by a company which has been contracted to provide service within the community may park in any visitor space and/or the reserved space of the driveway of the owner who is contracting their services. Commercial vehicles may not be parked in fire lanes or other non-designated spaces within the community.
Pet Rules
Pet Waste and Leash Laws
(a) No dog shall run unrestricted, as defined in Section 41.1-1-1, in the County. Any person who is the owner of a dog found unrestricted in the County shall be in violation of this Section. This Section shall not apply to any person who uses a dog under his direct supervision while lawfully hunting, while engaged in a supervised formal obedience training class or show, during formally sanctioned field trials, while a dog is in an area owned, leased, controlled, or operated by Fairfax County designated by resolution of the Board of Supervisors as an off-leash dog exercise area, or while a dog is in an area owned, leased, controlled, or operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority and designated by resolution of the Fairfax County Park Authority as an off-leash or dog exercise area, or while a dog is in an area, leased, controlled, or operated by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and designated by resolution of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority Board as an off-leash or dog exercise area. It is a violation of this Section for any owner of a dog to place such dog or allow it to be placed into custody of any person not physically capable of maintaining effective control of restricting such dog.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBgG-LQ29Jc&feature=endscreen&NR=1
Pool Information
The pool season is typically from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Pool Hours:
Sunday-Thursday 10am-7pm
Friday-Saturday 10am-9pm
Once school begins, the pool opens at 3:30pm, Monday-Friday.
Weather may close pool temporarily and signage will be posted.
Remodeling or Exterior Changes and Additions
County Building Permits – When do I need a permit and where can I apply fora building permit?
With every step of the staining process, take your time. When the project is completed and your tools are cleaned and put away, nothing will have had a greater impact on the quality of the job. Here’s a few tips before you get started. Take your time to allow new pressure treated lumber to weather for a few months and dry out before staining it. Allow stain strippers to be left on the surface long enough to break down old finishes before you rinse it off. Take your time to prevent overspray and spills on non-target surfaces and wait to start your project until the weather forecast is favorable.
Preparation is key to the final results. All wood needs to be cleaned well before staining, whether it’s a brand new deck, or an older deck that’s been out in the weather and needs to be re-stained. Brand new lumber needs to be cleaned to remove “mill scale”. Mill scale is a crushing of the grain that takes place during the milling process. If it’s left un-cleaned, it can prevent wood stains from properly penetrating into the wood surface.
In the deck staining process, no step is skipped more than this one. It’s by far the easiest step to do and it will have a dramatic effect on the final results. Wood brighteners are easy to apply. They help open up the surface of the wood to improve penetration, neutralize any stain strippers that were used, and restore the appearance of old, weathered wood to like new again. That’s a lot of things for one product to accomplish, but brighteners will do all of that so don’t skip using them . To use them, simply spray them on, wait a few minutes, and rinse them off. No scrubbing, and no “elbow grease” needed. There are so many benefits and they’re so easy, there’s no reason to not use them!
Use lots and lots of water after using any cleaning chemicals. Even though some of these chemicals can seem safe and harmless, they all need to be rinsed off extremely well after they are used. Left in the wood, these chemicals can resurface over time and begin to attack and break down the new stain. So once you are done cleaning, rinse the deck thoroughly to get all of the chemicals out of the wood.Step 5: Stay Away from the Cheap Stuff
Now that the deck is clean and dry, it’s ready to be stained. Before you decide which stain to buy, keep in mind that you always get what you pay for. Better ingredients cost more money. If you expect premium results then you’ll need to buy a premium product. There is a difference in quality when it comes to resins, pigments, mildewcides and many other materials that make up a gallon of wood stain. So stay away from the cheap stuff if you expect it to last.
Step 6: Take a Look at Waterborne Stains
Water based deck stains have become really popular in the last few years. If you have been reluctant to try them in the past, don’t be reluctant any longer. Air quality regulations have forced manufacturers to really improve these products some are now better, more durable and longer lasting than conventional oil-based alternatives. They offer some distinct advantages to the user that oil base stains can’t offer. Good quality water based stains clean up with soap and water, there are no nasty solvents to breathe, they have a significantly better resistance to weathering, the wood doesn’t need to be completely dry to use them, they dry more quickly than solvents and they are much easier on the environment.
Additionally, some of the waterborne stains are synthetic as well, such as DEFY Extreme Wood Stain. Synthetic resin wood stains are far less susceptible to mold growth, mildew and algae. So if you’re in area with a fair amount of moisture and humidity, there are some real advantages in waterborne synthetic stains.
Step 7: Read the Can…Follow the Directions
Every product is a little different so always read the label for directions. It only takes a few minutes and it will ensure that you have all of the right information before you get started. Pay attention to how many coats of stain to apply, how long to wait between coats, how long to wait after cleaning and how long to allow wood to weather. So read the label first and you’re likely to get it right the first time
Snow
Homeowners are required to clear the sidewalks in front of their home.
Roads in the single family sections are maintained by Fairfax County.
Roads in the townhome sections are maintained by the Association.
Storm Water Ponds
- Publicly maintained ponds have easements for maintenance access, thus all easements must be clear of obstructions. No structures are permitted within an easement.
- As part of a routine maintenance program, the county ensures dam embankments of all publicly maintained ponds are mowed once every one-to-two years for function and safety. The county encourages property owners to allow vegetation to grow on the pond floor as an additional pollutant filter. The county does not remove trash from ponds.
- Publicly maintained ponds often exist on privately owned land; it is the land owners’ responsibility to perform routine maintenance outside the pond easement.
Sports/Tennis Court
How do we get access to the sports court? The Union Mills Community Association Board of Directors has developed the Sports Court Use Agreement order to provide Members the ability to obtain access to the court. Below are the terms of this agreement:
- You must fill out and return the Sports Court Use Agreement – to PropertyManager@unionmills.com in order to obtain the combination code to the gate.
- Upon your departure from the court, you must secure the gate and make sure it is locked.
- If members are waiting to play upon your departure, you must direct them to obtain the combination code from the Property Manager. Members are not permitted to distribute the combination code to anyone for any reason.
- Everyone who obtains the combination code must be in good standing with the Union Mills Community Association.
Tot Lot Playground
The Union Mills Tot Lot Playground is located next to 5515 and 5617 Gosling Dr. It is nestled in a large open, cleared wooded area, making it a great place to the kids to play.
Trash, Recycling, and Yard Waste
Patriot Disposal typically picks up trees following the Christmas holiday in the first two weeks of January. Information will be sent out ahead of time. Trees must have all decorations, lights and strands removed. Patriot Disposal does not pick up faux trees without arranging for bulk item pickup.
Wednesday – Recycling and Yard Waste
Friday – Trash
Due to Fairfax County code, Chapter 109.1, yard waste (leaves, grass, and brush) is required to be recycled from all town house and single-family homes in Fairfax County. The code requires that residents in town houses and single-family homes separate yard waste from other trash and recycling for collection at the curb. It also requires that refuse and recycling collectors collect yard waste separately from refuse and other recyclables and deliver it to a recycling facility designed to manage yard waste. Tree stumps and limbs must be cut into 4 foot lengths and bundled (arm-full size) with rope or twine and should not exceed 50 pounds. Tree stumps and limbs larger than 6 inches in diameter and 4 ft in length will not be collected.
Union Mills has contracted with Patriot Disposal to begin collection of yard waste for all Townhomes located in the community every Wednesday during yard waste season (March 1 through December 24). From January 1 through last day of February (28/29), all yard waste is to be placed at the curb for pickup with your regular household trash.
