Let’s learn about covenants and why they’re important.
Much of the appeal of living in a community like Columbia Town Center is the uniformity of the neighborhood. The cohesive aesthetic of the neighborhood creates a bond between neighbors. If you’re planning a house renovation, you will need to navigate the rules and regulations of the Town Center Community Association. If you plan on remodeling your home’s exterior, you need to be aware of the covenants surrounding renovations. Let’s learn about covenants and why they’re important.
What Are Covenants?
The covenants are legal documents that are part of your deed of ownership and transfer to future owners. These documents assure minimum standards for land use, architectural design, and property maintenance. The covenants also allow for the operation of the Town Center Community Association, Town Center Architectural Committee, and the Architectural Review Process. You should have received these documents when you purchased your home or from your landlord. Similar covenants exist for the other Columbia villages.
Why are Covenants Important?
Covenants govern and regulate the community with the ultimate goal of protecting or improving property values. Property use and appearance covenants, for instance, primarily focus on maintaining curb appeal. When curb appeal drops, so do property values. Covenants also protect homeowners’ rights to quiet enjoyment of their property. Beyond that, covenants allow neighborhood associations to navigate and resolve disputes promptly.
What to Do Before Modifying Your Home
You might be nervous about taking on your home renovation ideas. To reduce those fears, contact the committee early and let them know exactly what you’re planning. When deciding to perform any home alterations, it’s a good idea to touch base with the TCCA and find out precisely what requires approval. Bringing your renovation plans to the committee early on can also save you from wasting time and money if your ideas go against the covenants.
If you’re doing exterior home renovations, it’s guaranteed that they will need approval; this usually requires filling out forms. Before starting your project, complete and submit the Town Center Community Association application. To ensure your application is reviewed as quickly as possible, please observe the following guidelines:
- Provide as much detail as possible about your project.
- Get signatures from 2 affected neighbors.
- Submit a site plan showing the location/configuration of the project.
- Submit a scale drawing of the project.
- Include color samples, drawings or photos of the materials you are using
- Sign and date the application and supply contact information.
- Attend the meeting where your application will be reviewed to answer questions about the project.
THRIVE AT COLUMBIA TOWN CENTER
Town Center is one of the ten villages of Columbia, Maryland. Our Village offices are located in Historic Oakland, one of the most beautiful historic buildings in Howard County. In the heart of Columbia, Town Center’s residents enjoy living in an urban community in a suburban setting with close proximity to all Columbia amenities, attractions, and cultural activities. Visit us to learn more about our community at 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia, MD 21044. Call us at 410-730-4744 or visit our website https://www.columbiatowncenter.org/