by Raymond Daniel Burke | Apr 22, 2014
Both the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates passed bills that would require Homeowners Associations to make re-sale disclosure information available upon written request of a lot owner. However, the two houses were unable to agree on a portion of the proposed new law that placed limits on the fees that can be charged by a howeowners association or a condominium council of unit owners for providing resale disclosure information. The Senate version would limit those fees to the lesser of $50 or the actual cost of furnishing the information. The House version would set a limit of $250. The Senate, which was the first to pass SB 229, refused to accept HB 412. The House then refused the Senate’s request to agree to the Senate version. (more…)
by Raymond Daniel Burke | Mar 21, 2014
Please look for the ad for this blog in the program for this weekend’s Home and Condo Show in Ocean City. The show begins today and runs through Sunday at the R.E. Powell Convention Center. Hours are Friday Noon – 6:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, and Sunday 10:30 am – 3:30 pm.
by Raymond Daniel Burke | Mar 18, 2014
House Bill 1080, now pending in the Maryland House of Delegates, would establish revised disclosure requirements and procedures in both initial sales and re-sales of residential condominium units. The most extensive changes would impact re-sale contracts. In addition to providing purchasers with additional rights of rescission, councils of unit owners would be required to furnish information requested by a seller to be disclosed to a purchaser with seven days after the request rather than the current twenty days. In particular, purchasers would be entitled to receive notice of any significant change in the disclosure information once it is provided. With regard to re-sales of existing condominium units, the proposed new law would amend Section 11-135 of the Maryland Condominium Act, which requires certain disclosures to purchasers by both the council of unit owners and the selling unit owner. The bill would also add new Section 11-135.1 to exclusively apply to condominiums having less than seven units. With regard to initial sales of new condominium units, the proposed law would amend Section 11-126, and impose certain new disclosure requirements on developers. (more…)
by Raymond Daniel Burke | Mar 12, 2014
The Maryland General Assembly is considering a bill that would require condominiums to remove limits on the number or percentage of units that can be rented, if the unit owner demonstrates “financial hardship” and meets certain other requirements. House Bill 1039 would establish new Section 11-111.4 in the Maryland Condominium Act, and provide that unit owners who meet one of the bill’s six definitions of financial hardship may request a waiver from any rental limitations applicable to the community. The unit must be the owner’s primary residence, and the appraised value of the unit must be less than 90% of what is owed. The exception to rental restrictions would be for a term of three years. (more…)
by Raymond Daniel Burke | Mar 6, 2014
The Maryland Senate, by a vote of 36 – 11, has passed legislation that would prevent residential condominium developers from including certain provisions in the project’s governing documents or sales contracts that limit the developer’s liability for construction defects. As dicussed in an earlier post on this blog, Senate Bill 207 would prohibit provisions in the declaration, bylaws or rules and regulations that limit the ability of a council of unit owners to file suit on behalf of itself or the unit owners or enforce warranty claims. The proposed new law would also preclude limits on the rights of condominium councils or individual unit owners to bring claims relating to an alleged failure of the developer to comply with building codes, county approved plans and specifications, product manufacturer’s installation instructions, and other construction industry standards. Proposed new Section 11-134.1 of the Maryland Condominium Act would prohibit provisions designed to prevent the filing of a claim within the applicable period of limitations or prevent claims from accruing pursuant to the “discovery rule.” The new law would also preclude provisions requiring a vote of the unit owners approving the initiation of a claim, unless such a requirement is adopted after the unit owners assume control of the community from the developer.
However, a companion bill in the House of Delegates, HB 259 received an unfavorable vote in the House Environmental Matters Committee. It remains to be seen whether compromise between the two houses on a joint bill can be accomplished.
by Raymond Daniel Burke | Feb 7, 2014
Senate Bill 274, now pending before the Maryland General Assembly, would require that residential property managers for condominiums, cooperatives and homewoner associations be registered with the Maryland Department of Licensing and Regulation. Unlike House Bill 10, which calls for a licensing process, the Senate proposal would have the Department issue registration certificates that would be renewed every two years. An applicant, in addition to paying a registration fee, would be requried to identify all of the communities that they mangage, and certify that they are covered by fidelity insurance. The Department would be authorized to establish other requirements for registrants, and to investigate complaints alleging a failure to comply with the applicable provisions, or refer complaints to the State’s Attorney’s Office.. Failures to comply could result in misdemeanor and fine.
