Lawn Maintenance / Grass in Southern Walk

OK, I've been patient but my grass is now about 1 ft tall and I have yet to see the landscaping company come by. And no, we don't even own a lawnmower because we pay our fees and rely on our HOA to take care of our lawn maintenance. Any word on when they'll start cutting grass aound here (specifically Milford Drive)?

 

Why would the HOA do your lawn maintenance? They take care of common areas only.

 

They do lawn maintenance on some homes in SW, like mine.

I think it is the courtyard homes that they do.

 

Yes, in Southern Walk we pay a higher HOA fee and it includes lawn maintenance.

 

Wow.. I've never heard of such a thing. I stand corrected.

 

krmckee -
I sent an email to Wes a little while ago asking the question. I too am in a courtyard and wondered when mowing would begin.

Once he responds I'll post his answer - but in the future you might want to call the HOA offices direct as the staff does not use the forums as a means of communication generally.

(703) 729-9704 - HOA Offices

 

Here's Wes' response:

Brian,

They should be out there today. They have tried to set up to do the homes on Fridays.

Wesley Schroeder

 

Thanks beahmer. I did call the HOA right before posting this and gave them our address. Hopefully enough of us call that they'll send the crews sooner. For sure they are not around us today. My daughter is dying to play outside (she's 4 yrs old) - I kid you not she suggested us buying a 'deer' so it can eat all the grass!

 

It was at the request of many homeowners that the mowing be done on Fridays.

 

Cliff, so you think we have to wait another week? Milford Drive is starting to look like a different type of neighborhood.... the weeds are taking over our yards.

 

no, typically, if they miss on Friday because of bad weather, they hit it on Monday.

 

They are doing the grass in my area this morning, so they may be headed to other areas today or tomorrow.

 

Just wondering if the SW Courtyard lawns won't be mowed until this Friday? My dogs are disappearing in the backyard when they go out for potty break. I thought I would ask before calling Wes.

Thanks!

 

They came out Monday of last week. Their lawn mower stalled twice on my foot high lawn and it took them over 1/2 hour in my samll yard alone. No sign of them this week and my grass is looking ridiculous again. We are paying for this 1-per-week service aren't we???

 

I could only lurk for sooo long. (I am sure that some missed me, and others didn't, but 1/2 of a glass of cabernet savignon and an average of 4 hours sleep for the last four days has reduced my inhibitions).

Seriously, I hope that the HOA is expressing concern to the management company over the lack of timeliness in mowing the common areas.
2 of my neighbors were cited for allowing their lawns to grow above the allowable height, while the adjacent common area looked like a naturalized area (even though it isn't).

During a bike ride down Chickacoan, the only areas that I saw that appeared to be in violation of the HOA regulations were the areas near the paths maintained (allegedly) by the management company and/or HOA. Not only was the grass well over 12" in some places, but the weed infestation is rediculous. And it is not an excuse that they have so much land to maintain. If they can't provide the manpower and equipment to do the job, perhaps we should look for another contractor. The standards to which we hold our management company, the HOA and their contractors should be at least as stringent as those of the residents, who pay for the existence of the other three.

Nuff said!

 

Mr Rogers-
As is the case almost every spring when the grass starts actively growing and we get a decent amount of rain, it takes 3-4 weeks to get through it all and get everything on schedule.
Please forward to me the addresses that allegedly got lawn violations from the HOA this spring. I find this info questionable. I agree that the HOA should not be citing "long grass" violations during this time of the year. Get me the info and I will look into it.
The HOA is quite happy with our landscaping contractor. Contrary to you, I think it would be unreasonable for the contractor's to be able to hire staff to deal with a few weeks worth of additional work needed in the spring. I'm sure we could get one to do it, but of course it would be at a much greater cost to the HOA.
Also the HOA does not "groom" all the Common Areas. It would be ridiculously expensive to do so.

 

Mr. Rogers-
I just checked with the HOA office and they show NO lawn maintenance letters have been issued this month.

 

The silence is deafening.
Just another little shot at the HOA that missed!

 

Actually, my statements were based on a friend who told me that he and his next door neighbor got a letter in March. He claimed to be mowing his lawn once per week, but after applying lime and fertilizer, it grew faster than expected. He told me that it was right around 7 inches when he got the letter, but that the common area next to his house was at least 10 inches.

I hope that the HOA DOES enforce the rule about trimming tree branches over sidewalks, and that HLS takes care of this in the common areas, before someone loses an eye.