HOA Contact Information
Neighborhood Services maintains a Condo and HOA Database. It has contact information for any group that voluntarily provides it to the Neighborhood Coordinator. Check the information on file for your group and send any additions or corrections to nsd@pwcgov.org. Those listed receive electronic copies of the Neighborhood News as well as mailings for classes of interest to neighborhoods. The list is available to anyone - be aware that other unsolicited mail may be received as well. Assistance from Neighborhood Services for HOAs and Condos
PWC Neighborhood Services offers basic information through publications and online. You and your HOA Board members can also subscribe to the Neighborhood News newsletter. Watch the News for the next announcement for the HOA/condo training class from the Neighborhood University. Individuals can subscribe to the Neighborhood News through Prince William County's eNotification service. You can also keep up with the classes being offered by visiting Neighborhood University.
Assistance from the Commonwealth of Virginia for HOAs and Condos
The Office of the Ombudsman may be able to assist you. You may send a question to the Ombudsman’s Office. Send as much detail as possible to describe the issue to CICOmbudsman@dpor.virginia.gov or call 804-367-2941. Due to the huge numbers of questions received by this office allow several days to receive a response.
Assistance from Non-Governmental Organizations for HOAs and Condos
The Community Associations Institute provides the proverbial 'mother lode' of great resources at http://www.caionline.org/. This organization certifies community managers as required by the state of Virginia. An HOA or condo should consider joining to access the wide-ranging benefits of the Institute.
Another group is the Property Owners’ Association of Virginia (POAVA) http://www.poava.org/. It offers classes – click on “News.” The “Other Info” page has a link to the Property Owners Act the overall governing document for POAs/HOAs.
A Virginia law firm that deals with community association law has a blog where you can read questions and answers about association law and post your own questions. The site the Virginia Condominium and Homeowners Association Law Blog is at http://www.vahoalaw.com/.
County Resources Available to HOAs and Condos
Ordinances
Prince William County Ordinances can be seen online at MuniCode. Chapter 32 is the zoning section. The Code of Virginia can be seen at Legislative Information Service. Both sites have search capabilities but you have to know the word(s) to use. Try several different words but call Neighborhood Services at 703-792-7018 if you are experiencing difficulties.
Dealing with Problem Properties
Note that while PWC is prepared to assist an HOA with problem properties the HOA is better positioned to deal with home and yard maintenance problems within its community. The HOA can (and frequently does) establish rules for property maintenance that are stricter than the state allows the County’s ordinances to be. The HOA has the ability to deny access to any amenities within the community as well as voting rights and can assess fees that are far more punitive. The HOA can act much faster than the County. Most importantly the HOA will loose credibility with the owners if it abandons its duty to execute its primary purpose to provide for the governance business and communal aspects of the condo or HOA.
Neighborhood Watch
Prince William County Police sponsor the Neighborhood Watch Program. If you are interested call 703-792-7270. You don't have to have crime in your community. Neighborhood Watch reports include crime in adjacent areas and allows a community to prevent criminal activity through information and vigilance. Additionally Neighborhood Watch provides another way that owners can be involved in the community association.
Roads
PWC Transportation Department’s booklet on traffic calming is available. It describes different methods to control/slow speeding and cut-through traffic and the process to petition VDOT for installation of the method. You may also want to contact the PWC Department of Transportation for more information about traffic safety, street lights, sidewalks and more.
Identifying the Owner of a Property
If you need to determine who is responsible for a piece of property try the County Mapper at County Mapper. Note that the boundary lines are not exact.