Covenants Team

Role of Advisors

Think of your Covenants advisor as your resource for information on how to improve your property while adhering to the protective property covenants.

Making an Appointment

Covenants advisors are assigned to specific properties and are available to meet with owners and contractors by appointment. Scheduling an appointment ensures that the advisor who is most knowledgeable about your property is available to meet with you. The covenants team is committed to providing you with a quality member experience. Appointments make it possible for us to allocate the appropriate amount of time to your visit and be prepared to provide you with the information you need.

To access a list of covenants advisors by property, please click the link at the bottom of the page.

Once you have identified your advisor, you can send him or her an email by clicking on their email address located under their name on the Covenants Advisor list to request an appointment. Please include the following information in your email:

• Your name

• Your address

• Your telephone number

Appointment date and time requested (please include a first choice and second choice). For preparation purposes, please provide a brief description of the reason for your request.

Helpful Tips

Covenants advisors are often out in the Reston community throughout the day. Scheduling an appointment in advance with your advisor will ensure that he/she is available when you come to the Reston Association office. Please note that the most knowledgeable advisor is the one assigned to your property and familiar with its unique characteristics.

Resale Disclosure Documents

Overview

If you are selling your home, one of the documents Virginia law (Property Owners’ Association Act) requires you obtain is the Reston Association Resale Disclosure documents or packet for your property. If your home is a part of a cluster or a condominium association, you will also need to order disclosure documents from your cluster or condominium association. Disclosure documents contain pertinent information regarding any design or maintenance violations that may have been observed during an association staff exterior inspection of your property and will include Reston Association assessment information for new buyers, recreational opportunities, a map of the community, as well as other homeowner resource materials.

Virginia law requires that only the owner or his/her authorized agent may purchase and receive the resale disclosure documents. By law, Reston Association, has 14 days from the day payment is received to deliver the resale disclosure documents for your property. Fees for disclosure documents are set by the state of Virginia.

In October 2018, Reston Association partnered with WelcomeLink to provide an enhanced online Resale Disclosure documents request experience. Please click the link below to access the WelcomeLink ordering website for disclosures documents and financial updates (settlement forms). Note: Financial updates will be available starting Feb. 1, 2019.

WelcomeLink Login

Once on the ordering site, you will be asked to create a user account before placing your order. Users can create an account and order disclosure documents and financial updates from the convenience of their home computer or mobile device. You will also be asked to confirm the lot/unit address for which you are requesting documents. For your convenience, you may pay for your order using credit card, debit card, or check.

For questions regarding your order, or for technical assistance with the ordering site, please contact WelcomeLink Customer Service at 855-870-9900 or email customerservice@welcomelink.com.

Video Walk-Through

Watch the informative video below to learn more about the process of obtaining your resale disclosure documents.

Transfer Fee & Credit

Per Reston Deed Section V.12(b), each purchaser of a lot shall pay to the Reston Association at the time of settlement a “Transfer Fee” initially in the amount of three hundred and forty-eight dollars ($348.00). Funds from these fees, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, shall be used for any expenditure incurred by the association.

Transfer Fee Credits

Within twelve months (12) months of the date of settlement on a lot, a purchaser may request, by completing the application. Application for Transfer Fee Credit, a credit in the amount of that year’s Transfer Fee, which shall be applied against the next fiscal year’s Annual Assessment rate if, the purchaser can show written proof that at the time of purchase he:

1. Owned, occupied another lot and was a member of the Reston Association

2. Sold such other Lot in order to purchase the purchased lot

3. Now owns and occupies the purchased lot

4. Does not own any other lot in Reston. Such credit is not available to individuals who lease any lot, including any purchased lot.

Proof shall include either a HUD 1 from the sale /purchase of a lot; or a certified copy of the deed of the lot sold and/or purchased.

Purchasers are to send their completed application for Transfer Fee Credit to the following address:

Reston Association

Transfer Fee Credit Request

12001 Sunrise Valley Drive

Reston, VA 20191-3404

Any Transfer Fee Credit Request received after twelve (12) months of the date of settlement shall not be considered and shall not be eligible for credit against the next fiscal year’s Annual Assessment rate.

For more information contact Reston Association’s Financial Services department at Financial_Services@reston.org.

Design Guidelines

The Reston Association Design Review Board (DRB) develops design criteria with the following objectives in mind:

• Preserving the design integrity, architectural quality and aesthetic character of Reston's properties that make Reston a desirable place to live.

• Encouraging environmental responsibility.

• Promoting the continued physical vitality of neighborhoods in order to enhance property values for all residents.

• Preserving excellence in design within a great diversity of property types and uses drawing on essential design principles. The Design Guidelines are based on the following principles:

• Harmony with overall community design. Within the context of the Reston Master Plan, neighborhoods and clusters were designed so the individual homes would be architecturally compatible with each other, displaying some differences while maintaining a visual and physical harmony of style, proportion, color and materials. Additionally, the original designs of residential, commercial and public use properties were reviewed and approved to fit within an overall context, or balance, of architectural aesthetics and intended use. The design guidelines and review process assist in maintaining that harmony as exterior changes are made to individual properties.

• Effect on neighboring properties. The proposed change should be compatible with the neighborhood's overall architecture, site design, landscaping, topography and existing character. Accommodation of access, sunlight, ventilation, view, noise, odors, trash, drainage, vehicular and pedestrian traffic and the privacy and normal use of neighboring properties are primary considerations.

• Workmanship and materials. Long-term durability and appearance of proposed alterations are important considerations, and the quality of the workmanship and materials should be equal to or better than originally used in the neighborhood. Construction methods and materials are expected to comply with current industry standards and building codes.

To access documents pertaining to design guidelines click here.

Assessments & Fees

Reston Association’s annual assessment fee is determined by the Board of Directors every November. Payments are due January 1. For detailed information about the annual member assessments and fees, visit https://www.reston.org/assessment-overview.