Rules and Regulations of THE COLONIES CONDOMINIUM
The Rules and Regulations of The Colonies Condominium have been compiled and condensed from The Colonies condominium instruments (Articles of Incorporations, Declaration and Bylaws), as well as from Policy, Administrative and other resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Council of Co-owners.
The Council of Co-owners is composed of all owners of units at The Colonies and meets at least annually for election of the Board of Directors, which thereafter represents the Council and governs the affairs of the condominium.
Wherever in these Rules and Regulations there is a reference to “co-owners” or “residents” such terms shall apply to the co-owners of any Colonies’ unit and to their tenants, if any, as well as to any guests, invitees or licensees of said co-owners and/or residents.
Wherever there is conflict, difference, confusion, or ambiguity as between these Rules and Regulations and the documents from which they were drawn, the condominium instruments shall govern.
1. Compliance: In the use of the units and the common elements of the condominium, co-owners and residents shall obey and abide by all valid state and/or county laws, ordinances, zoning and other regulations affecting the same as well as the condominium instruments and all applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors.
2. Private Use: All units shall be used exclusively for private residential purposes, except for such temporary other used approved as are in writing by the Board of Directors from time to time. No activity shall be done or maintained in any unit or upon any of the common elements which is not in conformity with the zoning regulations of Fairfax County and no business or commercial activity of any kind shall be done or maintained in any unit or on any common elements.
3. Unlawful Use: No unit and no portion of the common elements of the condominium , co-owners may be used for any unlawful , immoral or improper purpose.
4. Structural Alterations: No structural work of any kind is to be done the exterior of buildings or the interior boundary walls thereof by co-owners or residents.
5. Protrusions: No awnings, air-conditioners, wiring for electrical or telephone installation, television antennas, or other equipment, shall be installed by the owner which protrudes through the windows, walls, or roof of any building.
6. Solicitors: Solicitors of any kind are not permitted on the grounds.
7. Assessments: Assessments are due on the first day of each month and are payable at the Administrative Office or at such place(s) as the Board of Directors may designate. Additional charges will be levied on payments received after the tenth of the month when due. Assessments will be collected as provided in the Bylaws and the Assessment Resolution as adopted by the Board of Directors.
8. Leases: All leases must be in conformity with the condominium instruments of The Colonies Condominium and must be approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to Article XII of the Bylaws. No portion of the unit other than the entire unit shall be rented and no transient tenant may be accommodated therein.
9. Move-in and Move-out Procedures: Moves into, out of, or within The Colonies require (a) prior written permission, (b) proof of ownership or tenancy, (c) use of elevator pads, and (d) payment of such charges as may be fixed by the Board of Directors. Moves on Monday through Friday may not begin before 8 a.m. and must be complete by 6 p.m. No moves and/or deliveries may be scheduled on Sunday or Federal Holidays.
10. In-Unit Services: The Colonies “In-Unit Services Program” is available to
all Co-owners, provided they are not delinquent in payments to The Colonies.
11. Pets: No pet shall be kept or maintained on The Colonies premises without
the prior written approval of the Board of Directors. Application shall be
submitted on Exhibit A “Pet Registration and Application Form”. Exhibit A
attached.
Prior written approval of the Board of Directors shall be deemed granted if criteria established by the Board of Directors are satisfied when Exhibit A, “Pet Registration Application Form” is submitted, if the criteria are not satisfied, a unit owner or resident must petition the Board of Directors for approval before any pet may be kept or maintained on The Colonies premises. (Policy Resolution I-B-8, Pet Policy.)
12. Parking/Vehicles: Requirements as to parking and vehicles at The Colonies
are as follows:
a. Legal Requirement: All vehicles parked in the general common elements must comply with state and county ordinances and must display current State license tags, current State inspection stickers, and required stickers of local jurisdictions.
b. Colonies’ Requirements: Vehicles of Co-owners and residents must display a Colonies parking sticker, as distributed and recorded by Management, on all vehicles.
c. Restrictions: (1) Except as specifically designated by the Board of Directors, garage and outside parking spaces are for approved motor vehicles only. Other restricted vehicles may be parked in designated areas. (2) Vehicles may not be parked so as to block sidewalks or driveways or encroach upon fire lanes or lawns or landscaping. (3) Washing of vehicles is restricted to designated areas and times. (4) Repairs, servicing and painting of vehicles are assigned garage parking spaces or on the general common elements is prohibited. (Minor adjustments such as changes of tires, batteries, spark plugs, etc., are permitted). (5) Oil shall not be drained from vehicles; all oil spills and leaks must be cleaned up. (6) No signs, initial or other additions or alteration to parking spaces is permitted. (7) Vehicles must be kept in operational repair. Any vehicle with flat tires, removed wheels or which otherwise appear to have been abandoned or appears to be inoperable shall be deemed in violation of the rules and regulations.
d. Violations: Violations of The Colonies rules on vehicles may result in towing or booting of the vehicle at the owner’s sole risk and expense, imposition of penalties and/or other legal steps. (Policy Resolution No. I-B-6).
13. Storage Facilities: Any Co-owner or resident at his sole risk and without liability or responsibility on the part of the Council of Co-owners, may use his assigned storage space for its intended purpose. The Council shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense that may be suffered or sustained in connection therewith. Items stored in storage space must comply with county ordinances.
14. Personal Property: All personal property placed in any portion of the buildings or any appurtenant thereto or in any automobile or other motor vehicle while it is on the property shall be at the sole risk of the owner and the Council shall in no event be liable for the loss, destruction, theft or damage to such property.
15. Hallways: No bicycles, furniture, packages or objects of any kind shall be placed in public hallways, stairwells, lobbies or other common elements except as authorized by the Board of Directors. The public hallways and walkways shall be used for no purpose other than for normal transit through them.
16. Garbage and Trash: All garbage and trash must be placed in the trash chute or other designated receptacles and shall not be placed on the floor of the trash room or garage areas. No containers or bags of whatever kind are permitted to be placed in public halls or common areas for collection. No animal or human waste materials (to include Kitty Litter/human medical refuse bags, etc.), matches, flammable objects, newspapers, or hangers shall be placed in the trash chute. Such items are to be placed in the trash dumpster located in the garage.
17. Recycling: Sorted newspaper for the recycling program should be stacked neatly on the trash room floor. Aluminum cans should be placed in the recycling buckets provided in the trash rooms or in the recycling centers. Bi-metal/steel food cans, glass food/beverage containers, plastic beverage Only containers and aluminum beverage cans should be rinsed and placed in the recycling centers located on Tremayne Place – Parking area between Building 7 & 9 and Provincial Drive – Parking area near Building 6 (same location as the Newspaper holding dumpster).
18. Elevators: Elevators shall be used for the passenger purposes intended and may be used for the carrying of freight only under the supervision of the Board of Directors, its employees or agents. Pets are not permitted in the elevators. Smoking is not permitted in the elevators (County Ordinance).
19. Apartment Doors: The exterior appearance of entrance doors to units shall not be changes without the prior written approval of the Board of Directors, including, but not limited to door knockers, peepholes, or paint color. Unit doors must be kept closed to prevent activation of the fire alarm, overtaxing the cool/heating system and to minimize cooking odors.
20. Locked Apartment and Locks: A charge will be made for opening by Management of any apartment door or storage area. No one shall have the right to install additional locks upon the exterior doors of the apartments or building premises, except locks which may be applied to the interior of unit doors and which may be locked from the inside.
21. Signs: No signs, advertisements, and posters of any kind shall be posted in or on The Colonies except as approved in writing by the Board of Directors.
22. Windows: Nothing shall be thrown out of the windows. The dusting of or shaking of mops, brooms or other articles or cleaning materials out of windows or exterior doors of the buildings is prohibited. Apartment windows must be kept clean and in good repair at all times. Sheets, blankets, and/or other materials shall not be substituted for conventional window treatments.
23. Clothing, Laundry: No clothing, laundry, rugs or wash or similar items shall be hung from or spread upon or from any window or exterior portion of a unit or in or upon any common element.
24. Nuisances: No nuisances shall be permitted in the condominium nor shall any use or practice be allowed which is a source of annoyance to its residents or which interferes with the peaceful possession or proper use of The Colonies by its residents.
25. Noise: Construction (sawing, hammering, etc.) is NOT permitted before 8:00 a.m., or after 5:00 p.m., and during weekends and holidays. (This does not preclude repairs deemed as emergency such as ruptured water pipes, ruptured water heaters, electrical fires, etc.) Extreme care shall be exercised to avoid unnecessary noise or the use of musical instruments, radios, televisions and amplifiers that may disturb other residents. Repeated excessive noise shall be deemed a nuisance.
26. Waterbeds: Installment and/or use of waterbeds on the premises is prohibited.
27. Deliveries and Personal Services: The Council of Co-owners and its employees and agents are not authorized to accept packages, keys, money (except condominium charges) or articles or services of any kind or description from or for the benefit of the residents and Co-owners. Small packages and keys will be accepted under exceptional circumstances. This does not include normal postal and UPS deliveries. If the same is left with the employees, it shall be at the sole risk of the resident or Co-owner (Employees are not permitted to sign for deliveries). The Council does not assume any responsibility for loss or damage in any such cases. Deliveryman or outside repairmen requiring entrance to a Co-owners/resident’s unit or assigned storage area will not be admitted unless the Co-owner/resident has previously signed an authorization for admittance and left appropriate keys and instruction. “No deliveries are permitted on Sundays and Holidays, before 10:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. on Saturday or before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.” THE COUNCIL, ITS EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS DO NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMGE THAT MAY ENSUE FROM THE ENTRY OF DELIVERY MEN OR OUTSIDE REPAIR PERSONNEL INTO THE OWNERS UNIT.
28. Access to Units: Owners and/or residents may authorize The Colonies Management to enter his/her apartment. To facilitate such entry, keys should be placed on file at the Administrative Office.
In an emergency situation Management may enter an apartment without specific
prior authorization of the resident and, if necessary, without use of keys. If any
expenses are incurred for entrance in an emergency situation, they are the
responsibility of the Co-owner.
29. Employees: No-Co-owner or resident shall direct or engage any employee of The Colonies on any private business of such Co-owner or resident, on Colonies’ property, nor shall he direct, supervise or in any manner attempt to assert control over any such employee during normal working hours.
30. Gratuities: Employees and agents of the Council of Co-owners are compensated for their services and no gratuities are to be given to them for specific services. This is not to preclude appropriate remembrances at various particular occasions.
31. Use of Common Areas: Common areas of buildings such as lobbies, halls, garage and water closets and other water and sewer apparatus shall be used only for the purpose intended. The cost of repairing any damage resulting from their misuse shall be borne by the Co-owner responsible for such damage.
32. Hazardous Activities: No activity shall be done or maintained in any unit or upon any common elements which may increase the rate or insurance of any unit or the common elements or result in the cancellation of insurance thereon, unless such activity is first approved in writing by the Board of Directors.
33. Landscaping and Waterscaping: No person shall damage or permit damage to, theft of, or destruction or abuse of the landscaping or waterscape. No swimming or ice skating on the waterscape/pond is permitted.
34. Recreational Facilities: All persons using any of the recreational facilities do so only at their own risk and sole responsibility.
In general, a person may be admitted to the facilities under the following
conditions:
(1) Upon presentation of his or her Facilities Pass
(2) As a guest, upon presentation of a Guest Pass, or when accompanied by the holder of a Facilities Pass.
Lost facilities passes may be replaced for a reasonable fee. Use of the recreational
facilities may be suspended for violation of the rules and regulations for what
facility.
Specifically, admission to the swimming pool, the tennis courts and the clubhouse
shall be governed by the rules and regulations in force for that facility.
35. Attire and Appearances: All persons shall be properly attired when appearing in any of the following portions of the property: lobbies, hallways, stairwells, garages, elevators and any other public or common areas.
36. Due Process: Any person charged with violation of The Colonies; condominium intruments or these Rules and Regulations shall be entitled to a hearing before the Covenants Committee and/or the Board of Director’s as the Board my determine.
37. Inspection of Records: Records, including the names and addresses of Co-owners of The Colonies may be inspected or copied by any Co-owner eligible to vote upon filing of a notice of intent to inspect, in writing, to the Board of Directors (a) at least 24 hours prior to the planned inspection and (b) specifying the records to be inspected. Such inspection shall be limited as to normal business hours.
38. Playing, Bicycling and Skateboarding: Playing/Bicycling is prohibited in the garages. Skateboarding is prohibited in garages, on parking lots, on sidewalks, on streets, in the pool area and on tennis courts.
PART II – SPECIFIC RULES
Clubhouse Facilities Rules
A. The clubhouse facilities are for the exclusive use of Co-owners (unless rights have been granted by the terms of the lease to the tenant).
B. Group activities by Co-owners or for Co-owners, including classes may be scheduled by arranging for such activities with the Administrative Office.
C. The Board of Directors reserves the right to set scheduled, fees and hours for use of the above facilities.
D. The Board of Directors reserves the right to set schedules for exclusive use by men or women of the health and excise facilities, such as the steam and sauna rooms and exercise room.
E. Use of the clubhouse by persons under the age of 18 is expressly forbidden unless accompanied and supervised AT ALL TIMES by an adult except as permitted by the Board of Directors.
F. Co-owner are responsible for damage other than ordinary wear and tear caused by themselves, their families, their guest or their tenants.
G. Pool Rules and Tennis Rules are available at the Administrative Office.
Page 8 of 8 RVSD 3/95