Property Inspections

Each year the Association staff conducts a community-wide inspection of homes in the Newington Forest Community. The Covenants Inspector uses a checklist based on criteria outlined in the Association's Governing Documents to ensure that the standards are uniformly applied throughout the community. These annual inspections begin in the spring and continue through the fall.

Annual inspections include the exterior areas of your home that are visible from sidewalks and common areas. Property owners who receive an inspection notice via mail are encouraged to email [email protected] with a plan of action to remedy the issue or alert the office that the maintenance issue has been resolved. Contacting us will help to avoid further action by the Association, which may include additional notices and loss of community privileges. Below you will find a list of common issues we find during the inspection season.

The 2026 Inspection Schedule of the community will start with streets branching off of Southrun Rd (between Pohick Rd and the ball field), then Creekside Way, Woodlawn Way, Magic Leaf Rd, Diving Cliff Ln, Rolling Knoll Ct., Sunset Path Ct, and then streets branching off of Newington Forest Ave (between Hooes Rd and Pohick Rd).

Grass Inspections will begin in May. Grass should be no taller than 6 inches and grass found to be 12 inches or taller will be reported to the Fairfax County Department of Code Compliance for enforcement.

Siding & Shutters	Noted when siding &/or shutters are dirty or damaged. We kindly request that all siding be cleaned of all algae growth, excessive dirt, or mold to properly maintain the home and present a uniform appearance.
Improper use of the common area	Noted when there are miscellaneous items placed on common areas, usually behind townhouse properties. Residents shall not extend their yards into the wooded common areas of the Association, store items on the common areas, or place structures on the common areas.
Concrete stoops	Noted when there are signs of erosion, and/or it is excessively dirty or cracked. We ask residents to back-fill underneath the front entry stoop to control erosion, support the structure, and deter wildlife from making a nest in the area. It is important to keep the stoop clean and in good repair.
Decks	Noted when a deck is in need of maintenance, excessively dirty, or has excessively faded stain. We ask residents to repair or replace any rotten, broken, or missing boards, clean, or re-stain to preserve deck material.
Doors (including storm doors and garage doors)	Noted when paint on the door, door trim, or kick plate is in need of maintenance. We ask residents to repair, repaint, or replace to properly maintain the structures. Removal of storm door includes removing all hardware.
Driveways & Pipestems	Noted when a driveway is in need of maintenance. We ask residents to fill cracks larger than ½ inch (as well as holes or deteriorated sections where the surface material is loose and falling apart) and/or remove vegetation, clean, patch, resurface, or replace the driveway to maintain the structure properly. When pipestems are in need of maintenance, we ask residents to work with neighbors to repair and maintain the jointly owned pipestem to properly maintain the structure.
Fences	Noted when a fence or gate has broken/missing/excessively deteriorated boards (including the top boards and posts), is leaning, or is excessively dirty. We ask residents to repair or replace broken slat(s) or posts on the fence. If your fence adjoins a neighboring property fence, please work with your neighbor to properly maintain this section of fence.
Gutters, roof, and soffit (the over hang of the home)	Noted when gutters have excessive debris, are dirty, the roof has missing shingles (including decorative roofs such as bay windows), or the soffit material is damaged. We ask residents to clean out debris as necessary, secure or replace shingles, and repair or replace soffit material to avoid water damage to the home.
Sheds	Noted when a shed is in need of maintenance or excessively dirty. We ask residents to repair or replace deteriorated material and/or clean to properly maintain the structure.
Landscaping & yard maintenance	Noted when grass is taller than 6 inches, there are bare spots (no ground cover), defined landscape beds are not maintained, and/or there are dead plants/trees. We ask residents to mow the grass to maintain a healthy landscape and avoid attracting unwanted wildlife habitation. Grass found to be over 12 inches tall will be reported to Fairfax County Department of Code Compliance for enforcement. As stated in the NFCA Declaration of Covenants, Covenant Conditions and Restrictions and Reservation of Easements; Section 6.11: Land not occupied by structures should be kept planted with grass, trees or shrubs, or other landscape ground cover such as mulch or landscaping rocks. Please cover areas of bare dirt to prevent erosion.
Trash & recycling containers	Noted when trash & recycling cans are visible from the street, sidewalk, and adjoining properties. Trash bags, cans, and recycling bins can only be placed out after dark on the night before or on the day of trash and/or recycle pickup. After dark on Sundays and Wednesdays is the earliest trash can be placed outside. Trashcans/recycling bins must be removed promptly following trash pickup and shall be stored visually screened from all streets and adjacent and surrounding lots. Please store trash, recycling, and yard waste containers out of public view and on your own property (not on the common areas).
Windows	Noted when windows, screens, window trim, or the decorative grids need maintenance. Windows on a particular side of the home must all match in decorative grid style (with the exception of bay windows), screens, and trim. We ask residents to replace missing screens or remove all screens to present a uniform appearance for windows on the home. Please repair or replace the trim to maintain the structure, avoid possible water damage inside your home, and present a uniform appearance. Please repair or replace decorative grids for a consistent style on all windows on a particular side of the home.
Foundation	Noted when the foundation paint is peeling, excessively dirty, or cracked. We ask residents to clean, repaint, and/or repair the foundation to present a uniform appearance.