by Raymond Daniel Burke | May 9, 2016
A bill that would have required common ownership communities to register with the State did not come to a vote on the floor of the Maryland General Assembly during 2016 session. House of Delegates Bill 1061 would have required common ownership communities — including residential condominiums, homeowner associations and cooperatives — to register each year with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.
by Raymond Daniel Burke | Mar 9, 2016
Bill 1061 in the Maryland House of Delegates would require common ownership communities — including residential condominiums, homeowner associations and cooperatives — to register each year with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. The community would be required to provide (1) the name, address and county in which it is located; (2) the number and type of units; (3) proof of registration with the county if required in that jurisdiction; (4) the name and contact information for each officer or member of the board of directors or other governing body, the property manager, and any attorney; (5) a statement as to fidelity insurance maintained; (6) a statement as to reserve studies and current reserve balances; (7) a statement as to grievance procedures; and (8) any other information that the Department may require.
by Raymond Daniel Burke | Feb 3, 2016
As of January 2, 2016, those who serve on the boards of condominiums, homeowner associations, and housing coops in Montgomery County, Maryland must now complete an education course on the responsibilities of serving on a board of directors. The law charges the Montgomery County Commission on Common Ownership Communities with the responsibility for developing the curriculum. The Commission has established an on-line course on its website at the following link: http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/CCOC-Training.
Each condominium, HOA and coop in Montgomery County is required to certify to the Commission that each of its board members has completed the required training, along with providing an annual report that includes the name and address of each board member, the date each member completed the training, the number of vacancies on the board, and the length of time each vacancy existed.
It should be noted that failure to complete the training course will not disqualify a board member from continuing to serve. However, if a condominium, HOA or coop board member does not complete the mandatory education, the Commission may take legal action to enforce the training requirement. Also, a Commission dispute resolution panel that is reviewing a dispute between a homeowner and a community association may consider a board member’s failure to complete the training in deciding the dispute.
by Raymond Daniel Burke | Jan 25, 2016
Legislation has again been introduced in the Maryland General Assembly to prevent developers from including provisions in condominium governing documents that limit the developer’s liability for construction defects. Senate Bill 250, introduced by Senator Delores G. Kelley, 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. (more…)
by Raymond Daniel Burke | Jan 21, 2016
The text of Senate Bill 168, which would provide for the installation of electric vehicle chargers at condominiums and in homeowner associations, as well as at rental properties, is now available. The proposed legislation would void any provision in condominium and homeowner association documents that unreasonably restricts the installation of chargers, and would regulate and limit the approval process by which a homeowner could secure approval to install a charger.
Here is a link to the full text of the bill: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2016RS/bills/sb/sb0168f.pdf
by Raymond Daniel Burke | Jan 18, 2016
A bill introduced in the early stages of the 2016 session of the Maryland General Assembly would make provisions for the installation of electric vehicle chargers that impact condominiums and homeowners associations. Senate Bill 168 is sponsored by Senator Brian Feldman of Montgomery County The language of a similar bill introduced during the 2015 session (SB 762), also introduced by Senator Feldman, would void any provision in condominium and homeowner association documents that restricts the installation of chargers, and would regulate and limit the approval process by which a homeowner could secure approval to install a charger. The text of this year’s bill should be available shortly.
