FAQs

Architectural Changes

Raintree HOA has historically been opposed to “meddling” with homeowners’ landscaping or home maintenance decisions. Minor changes to the appearance or modification of the homeowner’s property can make a simple email request raintreecvillearc @ googlegroups.com. If further information is needed, the requester will be notified. In a simple request, an e-mail approval from the Board of Directors or Architectural Control Committee is all that is needed for approval, and therefore authorizes the homeowner to immediately commence the requested modification(s).

However, major architectural or landscaping plans, particularly those that approach your set-backs or might impact your neighbors, must be reviewed by the neighborhood’s architectural control committee. Find the Architectural Guidelines here. Submit the “Architectural Change Request Application” (PDF  |  Word) to: raintreecvillearc @ googlegroups.com.

Businesses and Rentals

Can I have a home business?
Businesses that do not generate foot traffic are allowed as long as they have been properly approved by Albemarle County.

Can I rent our part or all of my home?
Homeowners are encouraged to live in the neighborhood. Having said that, by following Albemarle County protocol, rentals are allowed. Keep in mind that the County is presently revising their regulations for short-term rentals.

Common Areas

Where are the common areas?
There are several common areas in our neighborhood, including the small area near the entrance sign, the Raintree Drive retention pond, and several small open areas between phases.

Who maintains them, especially trees that might need to come down?
By long-standing tradition, the common areas are not maintained by the HOA. The residents voted NOT to increase dues to cover tree removal and preferred to tend to their adjacent areas themselves. Residents with lots adjacent to the common areas are responsible for tree removal, grading, or other issues. The one exception is that the entrance sign and surrounding lawn are maintained by the Board. Please keep in mind that none of the common areas is suitable for trash disposal.

If you notice significant storm water run-off impacting your property from a common area, please contact the Board.

Are there playgrounds or trails?
There are no playgrounds or trails in the common areas in Raintree, but there is a good trail accessible from the nearby Fieldbrook neighborhood off Hearthglow Lane.

Is there common Area Liability Insurance?
Yes, the HOA maintains a liability policy.

Community/Social Events

Are there social events in the neighborhood?
In the past, we have had a variety of events, including a neighborhood picnic. In addition, there are smaller annual events such as a July 4 Bike Parade on Raintree Drive and the opportunity to see Santa as he drives down Old Brook on a route through town. Individual cul-de-sacs and streets also periodically organize potlucks. Check with your street representative or neighbors if you’d like to organize a potluck or other gathering.

How can I connect with neighbors?
Aside from face-to-face greetings as you work on your yard or take a walk, you can connect with neighbors on Facebook and on Next Door, where Raintree has groups.

Is There a Neighborhood Directory?
To help neighbors make connections, we are exploring the possibility of creating a printed neighborhood directory with residents’ permission. (No contact information will be posted or shared electronically.)

Complaint Process
Since 2012, all associations have been required by Virginia law to have a complaint procedure in place so that owners have a way to submit written complaints to their association board of directors.  The Common Interest Community Ombudsman Regulations provide specific ways in which associations must deal with owner complaints and time frames for responding to owner’s written complaints.

• Find Raintree HOA Complaint Process here.
• Find Raintree HOA Complaint Form here.

Dues
For information about HOA dues, please visit our Dues page. Note that after August 31, please mail payments to our new accounting firm at: RainTree of Albemarle Homeowners Association, C/O Accounting Solutions PLLC, 1024 Carrington Place, Suite #100, Charlottesville, VA 22901. Find details here.

HOA Activities

What has the HOA accomplished in the past?
The HOA has four primary goals: to provide limited services (primarily trash pick-up) while remaining solvent; to promote communication among neighbors; to maintain/increase home values (including monitoring larger developments in Albemarle); and to encourage social interaction.

Over the years, these goals have led the Board to represent us on a wide variety of government committees, working with business councils and other neighborhood associations. This has led to the support of some projects (including the Hillsdale Road extension, the Rio/29 project, and the creation of the John Warner Parkway) and the defeat of others (including a would-be amusement park adjacent to our homes). In addition, this has led to expedited snow removal for our neighborhood; repaved streets; a major pipe replacement project after a failure of the pipes used in many of our homes; the distribution of free security lighting for interested neighbors; and monitoring and identifying solutions for rainwater retention and run-off mitigation. In addition, the Board works with area realtors to supply needed documents for home sales within the neighborhood. Thanks in particular to our current President and Vice President for their decades-long unpaid service to our neighborhood!

Are there upcoming projects in the future?

• There has been periodic discussion of a company such as Charlottesville Gas (natural gas) to lay infrastructure in our neighborhood. To demonstrate interest in this projects, consider pre-registering with Charlottesville Gas.
• The Board is passively following the Rio/29 Small Area Plan. The plan by design does not directly impact our neighborhood, but since it is nearby, we are staying tuned. At least one member of our neighborhood sits on their planning committee.
• Increased communication. For a number of years, the Board maintained its public advocacy for our neighborhood but did not find much neighborhood interest in meetings or social events. After a well-attended meeting in April 2019, a new campaign was established to create this web site, update a printed directory, recruit “street representatives” to check in on neighbors, promote street potlucks, and more.
• Based on the feedback we receive from the street reps, other projects or events may be in the works. (You can also submit suggestions by emailing the board at board@raintreecville.org.)

How do I contact the Board?

You can reach the board via email at board@raintreecville.org.

Note: please do NOT contact the Board about:

• Common area maintenance/tree removal/grading (homeowners adjacent to the common area are responsible)
• Mailbox maintenance or requests for relocation (maintain your own mailbox and direct requests to the post office)
• Disputes among neighbors
• Police complaints (contact the police)
• Street maintenance or snow conditions (contact VDOT)

Mailboxes

My mailbox needs repair. Who’s responsible?
Homeowners maintain their own mailboxes.

Can I put notes (or due payments) in a neighbor’s mailbox?
This is not allowed by the US Postal Service. However, most neighborhood mailboxes have a newspaper slot below the mailbox where you can place a note. NEW: please mail payments to our new accounting firm at: RainTree of Albemarle Homeowners Association, C/O Accounting Solutions PLLC, 1024 Carrington Place, Suite #100, Charlottesville, VA 22901.

Recycling

Do we have curbside recycling?
Not all homeowners desire recycling services. Consequently, the Association does not provide recycling services. However, interested homeowners can contact our disposal company, Neighborhood Disposal, at 434-985-2019 to request this service. The additional cost will be paid by the homeowner. Community members can also take recyclables to the McIntire Road Recycling Facility.

Rio/29 Corridor Plan

How can I learn more or give feedback about the County’s future plans for Rio and the 29N area?
The County has posted a number of videos, webpages, and other resources to help us learn about possible changes to Rio from 29N to the John Warner Parkway. They are also seeking public input.

• Find their interactive public input website here, including dates for public comment.
• Find the full plan here (document may have a lengthy load time).

Snow Removal/Streets

Who’s responsible for clearing snow from the streets?
VDOT maintains the streets, and thanks to the past efforts of the Board, this is usually done in a timely manner.

Do Homeowners need to clear snow from the sidewalk in front of their homes?
VDOT will not clear the sidewalks; homeowners should clear their sidewalks. 

Want to monitor street conditions or report an issue?
You can check with VDOT by calling 1-800-357-7624 or download the app to check on weather/road conditions and report street Issues. At the app store, enter VDOT in Search; then select and install VDOT 511 Traffic.

Trash

When is pick-up?
Trash pick-up day is Monday. 

Is trash pick-up being suspended?
For residents who are up-to-date or who are in contact with the Board, trash pick-up will continue as always. However, following public discussion and support at the April 2019 homeowners’ meeting, the Board did notify homeowners who are two years or more delinquent in paying dues to notify them that trash services would be suspended within 30 days unless payment is made or a payment plan is established. For details, please contact the Board.

​If you have any questions not answered above, contact the Association at board@raintreecville.org.