Frequently Asked Questions
- How much are dues? How do I pay them?
- Dues are currently $33 per month per home. You can learn about the different ways to pay dues, including online payments, personal checks, and bank payments on our Dues Payment page.
- What day is our garbage, recycling, and yard waste collected?
- You can find your collection day by visiting the City of Durham website and entering in your address. Trash is picked up weekly, and recycling every other week. If you need to replace or remove a city-provided bin, you can do so at the City of Durham solid waste website. Yard waste service is an optional fee-based service that you sign up for annually. HVFN also has rules about where trash bins may be stored on your property that you should review.
- Do I need HOA approval to cut down trees in my yard?
- If the tree being removed is a Bradford Pear tree or is diseased or damaged, you do not need permission to remove it. However, the removal of other trees may require approval from the Architectural Review Committee. Please read our guidelines on tree removal and learn about the process of architectural approval.
- Do I need HOA approval to install a fence?
- Installing fencing of any kind requires approval from the Architectural Review Committee. Please read our guidelines on fencing and learn about the process of architectural approval.
- Do I need HOA approval to paint my house the same color?
- No. However, if you wish to change the color of your home or another structure on your property, please review our guidelines on changes of paint color or stains and learn about the process of architectural approval.
- How far in advance do I need to submit an architectural request?
- You can view the review process in detail on our Architectural Review page, where you can learn when approval is required, what information is needed, and timelines. Generally, most requests are reviewed within 30 days, often sooner.
- What is the non-emergency number for the Durham Police Department?
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(919) 560-4600Below are just a few examples of the types of calls that should be reported to Durham’s non-emergency phone number.
- Barking dogs
- Loud music
- Burglaries that occurred hours or days earlier (not in progress)
- Vandalism to public or private property
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- How do I report a street light outage?
- The Homeowner’s Association does not handle the repair or replacement of street lights. Please visit the City of Durham website to learn more about how to report issues with street lights.
- Can I let my dogs off-leash in the neighborhood and common areas?
- No. Durham County pet owners are required to keep their animals under restraint when they’re away from their property. It’s unlawful to take a dog on a stroll through your neighborhood without a leash. No matter how friendly or well-behaved the owner believes their pet can be around others, the pet must be supervised and restrained at all times for everyone’s safety. Taking your dog out to the “big field” or in another common area to play off-leash fetch is not allowed per Durham ordinances. Learn more at the Durham County Sheriff’s Office website.
- How do I make sure I am notified about neighborhood service dates, upcoming events, and the annual meeting?
- The Hope Valley Farms North HOA uses their community website to send homeowners very important information. All homeowners are encouraged to register for the website and ensure messages are not going to a spam folder.
- How do I become a Board or Committee member?
- Any homeowner in Hope Valley Farms North is eligible to become a Board Member. Elections for new Board members are held each year at the Annual Meeting. You can nominate yourself prior to the annual meeting each year by contacting the property management company at manager@hvfnorth.com. You can learn about our committees on the Board and Committees page, and request to join a committee by contacting manager@hvfnorth.com.
- The HVFN Board members:
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- Are volunteers, elected to serve three-year terms
- Are elected by the homeowners in the neighborhood each year.
- Meet regularly throughout the year
- Ensure the governing documents are followed and enforced
- Oversee due process hearings
- Evaluate the annual budget to determine the amount of monthly dues needed to meet budget
- Review vendor bids and contracts for community services such as landscapers, security, social events, and more
- Evaluate and select the property management company
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- If you’d like to contribute your time and skills to the neighborhood without the full commitment of Board membership, you can volunteer or ask a Board member to start a subcommittee. You can volunteer by contacting board@hvfnorth.com
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Events and Services
- Each year, the Hope Valley Farms North Homeowners Association coordinates community-wide events and services. For the annual meeting, homeowners will be notified via mail and email. For other services and events, email notifications will be the only way to know all the details ahead of time, so please make sure you are signed up for our email list. To check on the status of your subscription, please contact manager@hvfnorth.com
Annual Meeting- Every year, the HOA conducts an annual meeting that all homeowners are encouraged to attend. At this meeting, homeowners have a chance to ask the HOA Board questions, vote on the budget, elect new board members, and provide feedback on important neighborhood issues. Homeowners are notified of the meeting via mail and email.
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- Fall Festival
- On most years, the HOA puts on a Fall Festival for all homeowners and their families. This event often includes complimentary food, photos, bounce houses, pony rides, and more. To make sure you are notified about the date, time, and location of the Annual Fall Festival, sign up for our newsletter.
- Other Events & Services
- Our HOA relies on volunteers to coordinate and plan neighborhood-wide events and services, including the Yard of the Month program, holiday events, and more. Any homeowner is welcome to join the Social Programs Committee, and we are always looking for more interested volunteers. To join, please contact manager@hvfnorth.com