Tips for a Smooth Move A helpful guide for new residents from Montebello Condominium Unit Owners Association (MCUOA) 2015-2016
Welcome to Montebello! Table of Contents Welcome to Montebello.. Page 3 Living in a Condominium Community. Page 3 In Advance of Your Move.. Page 5 Schedule Your Move.. Page 5 Schedule Your New Resident Registration.. Page 6 What to Bring to Your Registration Session Page 7 On Moving Day.. Page 8 After You re Settled. Page 9 If You re Planning to Remodel.. Page 9 We re Here to Help. Page 9 Pre-Move Checklist. Page 10 2
Welcome to Montebello We re pleased that you have chosen Montebello as your new home. Now, we d like to help you move and settle in as smoothly as possible. As you probably know, Montebello is a gated condominium community with award-winning on-site management, landscaping and grounds, plus an array of amenities that make Montebello the residence of choice for people of all ages and lifestyles. Our success depends on the continued participation and cooperation of our residents with the processes that govern our community and our respect for each other as neighbors. Living in a Condominium Community If you are new to living in a condo, a gated community, a multi-family building, or all of these, it may be helpful to review some of the ways Montebello is different from your previous lifestyle. In a condominium, buyers own their units. Owners also hold an undivided interest in common with the other owners in halls, lobbies and other interior areas, as well as building exteriors, grounds and recreational amenities. At Montebello, the Montebello Condominium Unit Owners Association (MCUOA) is responsible for these common areas. MCUOA, in turn, is governed by Virginia Condominium Law, our declaration and bylaws, and by the rules and regulations established by our volunteer Board of Directors. Our on-site General Manager and staff oversee our day-to-day operations, including resident services and amenities; safety and access; and maintenance. Owners support these services and the general upkeep of the property with their dues, which are assessed annually based on the percentage interest of their unit or units. Owners and tenants also help our community operate responsively and cost-effectively by following our rules and procedures that help us maintain a culture of civility and respect for all who live and work here. In our gated community, uniformed guards control access through our main gate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They patrol our buildings and grounds, and work closely with local law enforcement. We depend on our residents to secure their own property, to be mindful of what is happening in our buildings and grounds, and to follow the procedures for admitting guests and others. 3
Each of our four mid-rise residential towers is home to about 600 residents who deserve and expect the quality of life that attracted them to Montebello, including good neighbors, convenience, and an attractive, livable environment. Many of our rules and procedures, including those governing elevator use, pets, contractors, trash removal, and noise, are intended to maintain a pleasant quality of life for all residents as we live closely together. 4
In Advance of Your Move If you are purchasing your unit, your Realtor or the seller of your unit will provide you with a Resale Packet, which contains disclosures and documents legally mandated for all resales of condominium units. Your Realtor or seller also should provide you with keys to Montebello common area doors (front door, service/delivery entrance, garage level doors, and storage room), your unit and your US Mailbox. Your Realtor or seller also may give you a key to the padlock on your storage unit or you may choose to use a new padlock. If you are a tenant, your landlord should provide you with a signed copy of your lease and a set of keys. If you have a pet, you also should get signed permission for the pet from your landlord. You will receive your gate cards, Montebello photo identification cards and parking decals, pet IDs, Montebello.org username and password, and other important items from the Association Office at your New Resident Registration. Schedule Your Move Moves should be scheduled with the Association Office as far in advance as possible to ensure that the service elevator will be available. To reach the office, call the main Montebello number: 703-960-0410. Please be aware of our move-in fees and rules: Moves are scheduled Mondays through Fridays. No moves are permitted on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays. Moves are permitted between 9 am and 6 pm. Trucks will not be allowed on the property before 9 am; all work must be completed and trucks off the property by 6 pm. Only one truck at a time is permitted on the property for each move. Additional trucks can park on Mount Eagle Drive outside the Front Gate. Montebello security staff will direct your movers to the Service Entrance on the B-3 level behind your building. 5
The Service Entrance has direct access to the service elevator, which must be used for all moves. The service elevator will be equipped with padding for your move. If the service elevator is inoperable, the Association Office will designate a passenger elevator available for your move. Movers are requested to make the service elevator available for single-item deliveries to other residents. We charge a $200.00 non-refundable move-in fee, which covers our administrative costs associated with your move, including one day s primary use of the service elevator. In addition, we require a $200.00 elevator deposit, which will be refunded if movers and trucks have caused no damage to the property and if moving trucks are off the property by 6 pm. If damage is caused, the deposit will be used to correct the damage and you will be responsible for any repair costs for damage caused in excess of the deposit. A non-refundable Lease Fee of $50 is due from all new renters or their landlords. Schedule Your New Resident Registration When you schedule your move, you also will be asked to schedule your New Resident Registration session at the Association Office in the Community Center. For your own convenience, please plan to attend your Registration session as soon as possible after you have closed on the sale of your unit or, if you are a tenant, as soon as possible after you have signed your lease. At New Resident Registration, you will meet with a staff member who will: Confirm or schedule your move-in date and arrange for payment of fees. Complete your Resident Profile, including the names of everyone who will be living in your unit, the names of any residents with disabilities who would need assistance in case of emergency evacuation, and the name of an emergency contact person. 6
Register your vehicles and assign your Montebello parking decals. Also assign your gate cards, which operate the resident s entrance to the Front Gate and the pedestrian turnstile at the back gate. Register your pet. If you have more than one pet, you will need to apply for a Second Pet Waiver before you move in or bring the second pet onto the property. (Please note that pit bull or pit bull mix breed dogs are not allowed at Montebello.) Give you your Montebello photo ID, which provides access through the Front Gate and to our recreational amenities and equipment. Give you passes for your guests to enter the property and use the amenities. Inform you of options for paying your condo fees by electronic fund transfer (EFT) or online and help you set up the option you select. Sign you up for a visit by your Building Representative, who will bring you more information to help you get settled in your new home. Arrange for you to receive a unique username and password so you can access the residents-only side of our web site, Montebello.org. Explain our Resident Directory, which allows your neighbors to contact each other. Invite you to view a PowerPoint presentation that offers helpful information about living at Montebello. You can preview the PowerPoint presentation, including everything that will be covered in the paperwork, before your Registration session. Go to www.montebello.org. What to Bring to Your Registration Session Come prepared with all the documents you ll need at registration it will save you extra trips to the Association Office later on. Here s what you ll need: Owners should bring: A completed and executed HUD 1 Statement Settlement Sheet Renters should bring: A signed copy of your lease. 7
If you have a pet, you also will need to bring a signed letter from the owner or an addendum to your lease that authorizes you to have the pet in the unit. Everyone should bring: Current registration and license plate number for each vehicle you plan to park on the property. A $25 Pet Fee, proof of current vaccination, and a photo of any pet that will be living in your unit. For a dog, you also will need a valid license from Fairfax County. If you have scheduled your move-in, you may wish to bring your $200.00 move-in fee and your refundable $200 elevator deposit. On Moving Day Please confirm with your movers that trucks cannot enter Montebello property and work cannot start until 9am. Trucks must be off the property by 6 pm so you can receive a refund of your deposit. Other tips: Storage Unit: If you are planning to place items in your storage unit, you will need to open the Storage Room door and the padlock to your locker. Please plan to have someone present to oversee the movers in the Storage Room; do not leave the area unattended while the door is open. Moving Boxes: Break down moving boxes and lay them flat on the floor next to the recycling bins in the garage on the B-3 level. Recycle cans, bottles, newspapers, and other household paper in the bins; check the guide posted above the bins if you are unsure what is acceptable. Trash Rooms: Use the Trash Room on your floor (located next to the exit stairwell nearest the elevators) to dispose of trash that can be secured inside a plastic bag and dropped down the chute. Magazines and folded newspapers can be placed on Trash Room shelves. Please do not place moving boxes, packing materials, cleaning materials, appliances, or other items except newspapers and magazines in the Trash Room. Deposit Return: After your move is complete, notify the Association Office. A staff member will confirm that the work was done on time, with no damage, and arrange for the return of your deposit. 8
and if you need a break during or after your move, the Montebello Café serves light meals and complete dinners, with full bar service, in the Community Center starting with lunch at 11:30. If you d rather not leave your unit, the Café will deliver your meal to you. Find the current menu and specials on Montebello.org; to order, call (703) 329-4868. After You re Settled With your permission, a resident volunteer Building Representative will visit you to answer any questions you might have and give you information about our many amenities, social activities, committees, and clubs, as well as what s available in our Alexandria and Richmond Highway neighborhoods. To arrange a visit, sign the permission slip offered at registration to allow your Building Representative to contact you. If You re Planning to Remodel Renovations that involve structural changes, plumbing, or electrical work require advance, written review and approval from our Covenants Committee. Complete a Request for Review of Architectural Design Change form available from the Association Office online at Montebello.org. If you have any doubt whether work to be done in your unit might require filing of such a Request, you should file one. Remodeling work in your unit must follow MCUOA rules regarding hours, noise, trash removal, parking, and other issues. For a copy of these rules, call the Association Office or go to Montebello.org. We re Here to Help We want to make your move-in process as comfortable as possible and to help you feel at home at Montebello. If you have questions, feel free to call the Association Office, 703-960-0410. You also may find answers to your questions on our web site, www.montebello.org. To view the Registration PowerPoint online, go to www.montebello.org. 9
Montebello Move-In Checklist Here is a list to help you check off everything needed for the move into your new community: Receive the Resale Packet (owners) or a signed copy of your lease (renters). Receive keys from Landlord/Seller/Realtor: Unit key, Montebello common area door key, storage room key, and US Mailbox key. Schedule your move-in day with the Association Office. Call 703-960-0410. Schedule your mandatory New Resident Registration session prior to move-in day. Assemble the items you ll need for Registration: HUD 1 Settlement Sheet (owners) or signed copy of your lease and permission for any pet (renters). Current registration and license plate numbers for all vehicle(s). $25 Pet Fee, proof of current vaccination, and a photo of pet. Valid license from Fairfax County for a dog. You also may wish to bring your $200 move-in fee and $200 elevator deposit to Registration. Apply for Covenants Committee approval of any planned renovations to your unit. Be sure your contractor understands our rules for the work. Notify your movers about our Montebello move-in rules, including how to dispose of moving boxes and other trash. Let your movers know your Storage Room location and be ready to provide them access to your Storage Room and storage unit, if needed. 10
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