Questions and Answers
Q. Am I responsible for repairing and replacing my windows?
A. Yes, but you must maintain the standard cross design and
submit an architectural variance form to the Association.
Q. I would like my door repaired and painted.
What are my responsibilities?
A. You are responsible for your own door. You must maintain
the style and color if replacing the door. Also, all storm
doors must be fully clear. Half screen doors are not allowed
and you may be subject to having to replace the door. Please contact
the property manager for paint colors or contractor contacts.
Q. How do I obtain an architectural
variance?
A. You may either contact our property manager at 301-890-4237
or by email manager@stockbridgecondo.com.
You may also download the document from this site by clicking
architectural variance.
Q. Why do other townhouse communities
have assigned parking and we do not?
A. Our Association was formed by the original developers without
that stipulation in the association by-laws. Changing the
bylaws to allow assigned parking spaces is probably not feasible
in our community. Legal Counsel has advised us that Association
covenants do not currently allow the Board to assign common areas
(such as the parking lot) on a preferential basis. Changing a
fundamental property right like this would require approval of
100% of homeowners. Since numerous homeowners have expressed their
disapproval of any assigned parking, the Board has concluded that
it is unlikely that any process to change existing rules would
be successful.
Nonetheless, we should all take care to behave responsibly and
courteously when parking our cars and to observe the following
guidelines:
- Park between the lines painted on the curb. There are exactly
2 spaces per unit in our development--no more--and we cannot
afford to lose any due to careless parking.
- Respect your neighbors' rights to park in any available space
and do not take any actions to reserve spaces.
- Report any unused vehicles to the Property Manager for tagging
and towing. Residents are not permitted to store unused vehicles
on Association property.
The Board has had complaints, but the vast majority of residents
seem to accept the policy without comment.
Q. I would like to install a satellite
dish. What are the rules and regulations?
A. You must complete an architectural
variance and submit for approval to the Board before installation.
Satellite dishes are allowed if they are installed near to the
home on the ground or on the edge of a shed. Dishes must
be grey in color and not more than 24 inches in diameter.
They may not be installed on the roof, siding, or roof of the
shed. They may not be attached to the exterior of the unit.
For more explicit detail see Rule 2002-10.
Q. What are the things that I will
need a variance for?
A. Any change or alteration to the exterior of the unit, such
as shrubbery, patios, satellite dishes, windows.
Q. How do I obtain a resale package when
I am ready to sell my home?
A. You may contact Zalco at 301-495-6600; fax 301-495-4169
or email steeley@zalco.com
Q. I am renting my unit and the tenants
have damaged common property. Will the Association insurance
cover the cost of repairs?
A. Landlords will be notified of the damage and charged for
the costs of fixing the property.
Q. I have problems keeping my grass looking
full and healthy. How can the Association help?
A. We can have our contractor assess the damage or identify
the culprit. Sometimes a tree is the problem or the area
needs to be resodded. The homeowner will be responsible
for watering and maintaining any newly sodded areas. We
do not, however, spot treat lawns. The Association pays
for the contractor to assess the overall condition of lawns.
Q. I have trouble finding a parking
space. Why isn't there a numbered parking space policy?
A. Several homeowners have expressed an interest in
securing numbered parking spaces for our community. Our
Association does not stipulate a number parking policy and the
vast majority of residents seem to accept the policy. There
are parking spaces for every home in the community and parking
lanes will be repainted in 2003 to better align car parking.
Q. What are the common elements
that the Association is responsible for maintaining?
A. A good way to note if an item is covered by the homeowner
or the association is to determine if, in general, it serves only
your unit (e.g. windows). If so, you most likely are responsible
for the repair or replacement. Common elements include water and
pipes, sewer, garbage/rash collection, and electrical lines necessary
for outdoor lighting
Q. What does the Stockbridge Master
Insurance Policy cover?
The Stockbridge Condominium Owners Association has a master insurance
policy which covers the common elements of the association and
does not necessarily provide coverage for all interior damage
to individual units. If you have questions about homeowners
policies, coverage and deductibles please contact the Property
Manager. Below is a list of general maintenance responsibilities.
- Pipes, ducts, wires, flues and cables are the Condominium's
responsibility to maintain and those which are within or adjacent
to a unit and serve only one unit are the unit owner's responsibility
to maintain.
- Water heaters, filters, ranges, heating and air conditioning
equipment serve only one unit within the condominium therefore
are always the unit owner's responsibility to maintain.
- Balconies and patios are limited common elements and are
the unit owner's responsibility to maintain. Cracks
and pest infestation in same are not covered by the
Condominium's insurance policy.
- Yards are not limited common elements and are not reserved
to the exclusive use of a particular unit therefore they are
the Condominium's responsibility to maintain.
- Exterior of Condominium Units: Under Article VIII of
the By-Laws the unit owner is responsible for maintaining
the exterior of his Condominium Unit, however, the Condominium
Plats only define the unit as extending to the "interior
surface of exterior walls enclosing [the] unit" and therefore
the Condominium has assumed responsibility for maintenance,
i.e. painting, etc., of the exterior of the units.
- Doors are defined as part of and included in the units under
Article I of the Declaration and are therefore the unit owner's
responsibility to maintain.
- Exterior steps, stoops and walkways are defined as appurtenant
to the unit and therefore the unit owner's responsibility
to maintain under Article I of the Declaration, the Condominium
Plat states that "sidewalks" are part of the General
Common Elements. Due to this conflict, the Board has
elected to maintain the sidewalks, including the stoops and
exterior steps leading up to each unit.
- Insurance coverage for damage caused to units: The
occasion frequently arises where insurance covers damage caused
by leaking pipes or equipment which is part of a unit and
therefore the unit owner's maintenance responsibility.
In these instances the coverage will pay for the resulting
damage, but the cost to repair the item causing the damage
(i.e. the pipe, toilet, dishwasher, etc.) will be the unit
owner's responsibility.
Q. Do I need a license to rent my property?
At the May 21, 2003 annual meeting, Stockbridge homeowners approved
the Fifth Amendment to the Bylaws governing and limiting rights
of homeowners to lease their units. In general, an application
must be submitted and approved in advance of executing any lease,
and the number of leased units will be restricted to no more than
the rental limit currently applied for conventional home loans.
For further details see: Fifth Amendment,
Leasing Procedures, Lease Approval Application,
and Lease Addendum.
Q. Why is it necessary to limit the
number of rental units in Stockbridge?
Rental units have become a financial issue to the Association
and the community and the Board, in the interest of all homeowners,
has recommended a By Law Amendment limiting the number of rental
units to preserve property values. The Amendment is not
a means of discriminating against renters. Rather, it allows
us to monitor the number of rental properties so that we can ensure
that sellers and buyers will continue to obtain mortgage loans
and the Board can obtain favorable interest rate loans for upcoming
capital projects. Once a threshold percentage is reached,
many mortgage and loan companies will reject loan applications
due to too high a number of rental units. All current leases
are automatically grandfathered, however all new leases will require
approval and submission of a lease form. Click
here for By Law Amendment.