A nearly $40 million recreational and competitive swim center is in the early stages of design and set to be built in Provinces Park in Severn by 2026, according to county officials. However, a coalition of community groups from Arundel Forest, Turnbury Run, Strawberry Hill and Disney Estates is doing everything it can to stop […]
Battle continues over responsibility for fixing Charles County sinkholes (MD)
Merchant says according to property documents, the easement doesn’t belong to him. The county says: it’s on private property. FOX 5 did view communication that says the Swan Point Property Owner’s Association, the developer and county have been in talks to come up with some sort of solution to the problem. Read the article………………………..
Man Sentenced For Henry Mill Home Owners Association Theft (MD)
A Berlin man will spend a month in jail after pleading guilty to a theft scheme involving a local homeowners association. At a hearing Tuesday, Berlin resident Andrew Charles Riley was sentenced to six months in jail with all but one month suspended. The sentence comes after Riley pleaded guilty in July to a theft […]
Collection lawyers avoid lending laws in Maryland; Dissenter decries loophole
A law firm in the business of collecting homeowner association and condominium dues isn’t a “lender” under the Maryland Consumer Loan Law, the state’s highest court ruled, answering a central question in a class action in federal court by delinquent property owners. Read the article………………………..
Berlin Man Pleads Guilty To Theft (MD)
A Berlin man awaits s Read the article………………..entencing after pleading guilty to a theft scheme involving a local homeowners association.Berlin resident Andrew Charles Riley, 60, faced multiple charges related to the theft of close to $16,000 from the Henry Mill Home Owners Association. Riley accepted a plea offer from the state and pleaded guilty to […]
Homeowner fined $40,000 for a few inches of fence takes HOA to court (MD)
Disputes between homeowners and their condo or homeowners association (HOA) aren’t uncommon, but a Maryland woman said her Board took it too far. The disagreement involved a fence and its boundaries. And while the fence cost around $8,000 to construct, the litigation that followed amounted to nearly $40,000. Read the entire article……………………………….
A civil war among neighbors over Confederate-themed streets (VA)
On the corner of Confederate Lane and Plantation Parkway in the Civil War-themed housing development of Mosby Woods, a “Black Lives Matter” lawn sign faces the two street markers. Read the entire article……………………………….
Maryland General Assembly Passes Bill Requiring Reserve Studies
The Maryland General Assembly has passed new legislation requiring all condominiums, homeowner associations, and housing cooperatives to undertake regular reserve studies of common area components. Under House Bill 107, the reserve study requirement, which was previously applicable to only Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, is applicable statewide. Read the entire article……………………………….
Proposed Legislation Would Permit Changes In Percentage Interests Without Consent of All Unit Owners and Mortgagees (MD)
House Bill 358, now pending in the Maryland General Assembly, would allow alterations in the percentage interests assigned to each unit in the common elements by a vote of less than 100% of the unit owners. Read the entire article……………………………….
Inspectors Report Structural Issues at Condo Building Where Ceiling Collapsed on Woman (MD)
Prince George’s County inspectors found structural problems at a condo building after News4 reported a woman’s ceiling collapsed and trapped her a few weeks ago. On the other side of the Treetop Condominiums property, Tina Dowdy-Nixon is trying to renovate and rent her condo. Read the entire article……………………………….
Neighbors Worried for Safety After Ceiling Collapses on Woman in Largo Condos (MD)
A tenant became trapped under debris when a condo ceiling collapsed at the Treetop condominiums in Largo, Maryland. The woman was rescued by neighbors. Merry Wiley, the owner of the condo, says she’s been complaining about the cracks and other issues she’s found to the board of directors for almost a year. Read the entire […]
Fire department: Hydrants maintained by condo association didn’t have enough water to fight Forestville blaze (MD)
The nearest hydrant with enough water was a quarter mile away from a burning building at the Holly Hills condominiums in Forestville on Tuesday. Read the entire article……………………………….
24 condos damaged or destroyed after fire rips through Prince George’s complex (MD)
The fire impacted 24 units at the Holly Hill condominium complex, according to Prince George’s County Fire and EMS. Shockingly, no one was injured. Read the entire article……………………………….
Spray painted swastikas discovered Monday in Elvatontown community (MD)
An investigation is underway after three spray painted swastikas were discovered Monday morning in the Elvatontown community of Glen Burnie. The antisemitic symbols were plastered on the road and on an HOA-owned pool-house near Century Towne Road at Shetlands Lane. Another was painted on a building at the swimming pool. Read the entire article……………………………….
Proposed Legislation Would Authorize the Creation of a Fund For Infrastructure Repairs (MD)
House Bill 1061, now pending the the General Assembly, would authorize counties and municipalities in Maryland to create a fund to assist in the repair of infrastructure in condominiums and homeowner associations. Read the entire article……………………………….
Jessup man sentenced for theft scheme of more than $100,000 (MD)
A Jessup man was sentenced for a series of thefts over an 18-month span. Wharton, who was the treasurer of the Ridgely’s Run Community Association from January 2017 to December 2018, misused funds from the association’s account and made unauthorized payments to his company and himself, submitted fraudulent rent payments for his residence in Jessup and […]
“I am not going away” A lawmaker’s continued push for HOA regulations and consumer protections (MD)
More than a million people are estimated to reside within a homeowners association or condominium board in Maryland, and yet, there aren’t many requirements to manage these communities. Delegate Marvin Holmes Jr. (D-Prince George’s County) is determined to change that. Read the entire article……………………………….
House Bill Would Make Changes In Condominium Governance, Particularly During The Period of Developer Control (MD)
House Bill 140, now pending in the Maryland General Assembly, would make several amendments to the Maryland Condominium Act relating to governance during the period of developer control and, in all condominiums, would expand unit owner participation in meetings of the board of directors Read the entire article……………………………….
HOA Presidents Strikes Back at Citizens Opposing ‘No’ Parking Signs in Lexington Park (MD)
The St. Mary’s County Board of Commissioners held a public forum on Jan. 11, where many of the citizens complained about the parking restrictions. Citizens believed that the commissioners’ board added park restrictions off of misinformation given by a Homeowners Association (HOA) member. In defense of the HOA, the HOA president has responded. Read the […]
78-year-old among residents still unable to return to asbestos-contaminated condo building (MD)
A condominium in Columbia is still recovering several months after asbestos was found inside the building while cleaning up water damage. Read the entire article……………………………….
Farr wins lawsuit for Ocean Pines board election (MD)
Rick Farr, the previously disqualified candidate for the Ocean Pines Board of Directors, was vindicated this week in a Worcester County Circuit Court finding that current board leadership acted improperly to block his campaign. Read the entire article……………………………….
Water main break floods condos in Rockville, at least seven families displaced for ‘weeks’ (MD)
At least seven families have been displaced after a water main break sent water pouring into terrace-level units at the Plymouth Woods condo and townhome community in Rockville. Read the entire article……………………………….
Maryland Court of Special Appeals throws out developer’s $25 million lawsuit against Clipper Mill residents
Residents of Baltimore’s Clipper Mill community won’t have to pay a developer $25 million for testifying against its development plans at public hearings, according to a ruling issued Thursday by Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals. Read the entire article……………………………….
No year-round stays: Ocean Pines’ White Horse Park updates bylaws (MD)
The White Horse Park Community Association received confirmation from the Worcester County Commissioners on Dec. 7 that its members can update its declarations to state that long-term offseason dwelling in the RV and mobile-home community is prohibited. Read the entire article……………………………….
Residents of Columbia condo building say they’ve been unable to go home since October (MD)
Residents of a condominium in Howard County say their building was evacuated in October and they have not been able to get back inside since then. Concord House, located across the street from Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, also has a padlock on the front doors of the building. Read the entire article……………………………….
New law aims to keep basketball hoops up, tensions down in restrictive Maryland communities
On a warm day, it wouldn’t be unusual to spot kids shooting baskets in a driveway of Rockland Ridge, a gated Baltimore County community. Since a new state law barred “unreasonable” restrictions on portable hoops, the new homeowners’ association president says she is pleased kids can get out and play the sport, and is thankful […]
Montgomery County condo complex evacuated due to safety concerns; residents in limbo (MD)
Residents of a condominium in Olney are in limbo after a major safety concern with the stairwells in the building forced evacuations. Read the entire article……………………………….
Nottingham residents without water for days; growing frustrated with response to water main break (MD)
They said the HOA is telling them DPW is responsible to fix the problem, but the agency tells WMAR-2 News it’s the HOA’s job because the water main break is on private property. Read the entire article……………………………….
Ocean Pines board to consider removing director Tom Janasek at special meeting (MD)
Ocean Pines director Tom Janasek is the target of a motion to remove him from the board for a second time in a year. According to a news release from Ocean Pines Association, the agenda of an Oct. 11 meeting of the Board of Directors lists a motion by Director Colette Horn to remove Janasek […]
Settlement Reached With MOCO Condo Association, Attorney General (MD)
A Montgomery County condominium association has reached a settlement with the state’s attorney general after it was accused of violating the Maryland Condominium Act and the Consumer Protection Act. Read the entire article……………………………….
Aspen Hill Condos Fire Leaves Woman In Critical Condition; Some Residents Displaced (MD)
Several residents at the Grand Bell II Condominiums in Aspen Hill are displaced after a fire on Tuesday night, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) officials. The blaze also left one woman in critical condition. Read the entire article……………………………….
Defunct Maryland HOA leaves complex with collapsing sidewalk
When Patricia Harris bought her Upper Marlboro townhome 31 years ago, she thought she had found her ideal home. The timing couldn’t have been better. “Do you want to be in the front or [do] you want to be in back?” Harris recalled the developer asking when it was time to choose the location of […]
Miami tragedy offers Ocean City lessons (MD)
As the tragedy of the condo collapse in Surfside, Florida continues, we’ve learned that the owners of Champlain Towers South knew their building needed extensive repairs. Various sources report they were stymied by the $15 million price tag, along with the magnitude of the project. Read the entire article……………………………….
$2M In Damage, Dozens Displaced In Abingdon Condo Fire: Officials (MD)
A pair of condominium buildings was destroyed in a fire that caused $2 million in damage in Abingdon, according to officials. Investigators said 24 residences were uninhabitable due to the inferno in the 3500 block of Thomas Pointe Court. Read the entire article……………………………….
Man killed by police after shooting, explosion in Woodlawn had carried gun, harassed community, neighbors say (MD)
Baltimore County police said in a news release Sunday that investigators believe Brown forced his way into the home of Ismael Quintanilla, a 41-year-old neighbor, and fatally stabbed and shot him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Quintanilla’s wife, 37-year-old Sara Alacote, was also shot fatally by Brown, according to police. The department said […]
Columbia Association to permanently shut down Haven on the Lake, keep 8 pools closed this summer (MD)
Budgetary challenges due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic will once again impact the Columbia Association’s services this summer. Last month, the association’s board approved its fiscal 2022 budget, which included keeping eight of its 23 pools closed and the permanent closure of wellness center Haven on the Lake. Read the article…………………………………..
Condo Complex to Rise Above Flood Level in $3 Million Project (MD)
An Ocean City condominium complex often inundated by stormwater will be getting a lift – literally – to elevate it above flood levels. The city has been awarded a $3 million federal grant to raise the seven-building Ocean Aire condos at 43rd Street and West Avenue in the south end of town. Read the article……………………………
Ocean Pines board doesn’t act on allegations against leader, sparking community outrage (MD)
Community members in Ocean Pines are upset with the homeowners association’s Board of Directors after the body declined to act on allegations that the board president allegedly created a hostile work environment for employees. Read the article………………………………
Pines board denies claims by Phillips of hostile workplace (MD)
After holding a pair of closed session meetings over an ethics and conduct complaint against an unnamed director the week before, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors last Thursday held a special meeting lasting only several minutes to dismiss the allegations. Director Dr. Colette Horn opened the brief virtual meeting on Feb. 4 by […]
Woman seriously injured in Aspen Hill fire (MD)
A fire seriously injured a woman in an Aspen Hill condominium building Friday, according to a Montgomery County Fire & Rescue official. Pete Piringer, a Fire & Rescue spokesman, posted on Twitter Friday that a fire occurred in a kitchen on the first floor of a building in the Aspen Green condominium complex on Hewitt […]
Water bill on Hampden townhouse project, up to $200,000, disputed by developer proposing Westport project (MD)
The water bill for a new townhouse community in Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood has gone unpaid for years and reached nearly $200,000. Residents of Hampden Square say they’ve tried unsuccessfully to pay their fair share of a bill that’s remained in the land developer’s name. Read the article……………………………………
Cape St. Claire resident pulls the plug on phallus Navidad lights after complaints to HOA (MD)
The Annapolis “penis house” became a beacon for laughs in hard times, but it appears the joke is over. The Ramblewood Drive home with a 35-foot phallic holiday light display on the roof would have made a great landing strip for Santa, but after complaints to the neighborhood homeowners association, the display is no longer […]
Maryland Residents Could Be Forced to Leave at Moment’s Notice as Retaining Wall Fails
Some homeowners in one Maryland neighborhood have been told to prepare to leave their homes as the retaining wall supporting some of their houses has failed, threatening collapse at any moment. The retaining wall built to support houses in the Tantallon community in Fort Washington is shifting every time it rains. Read the article……………………………….
Unhappy with the way your HOA is run? Here’s what you can do to improve the board.
Q: I wanted to comment on your recent column relating to the use of a homeowners association (HOA) pool during [the pandemic]. Halfway through your answer you wrote, “You and your fellow residents voted in the board and they represent you.” Read the article…………………………………
Baltimore judge dismisses Clipper Mill developer’s lawsuit against residents who spoke out against more housing (MD)
A Baltimore Circuit Court judge has dismissed a $25 million “bad faith” lawsuit that the developer of Clipper Mill filed against condo and townhouse owners in the community who spoke out against plans to build more homes. Read the article……………………………..
White Horse Park Community Seeks Closure Amid Legal Battles; County Legal Expenses To Date Exceed $50K (MD)
Regardless of which side of the issue they’re on, property owners in White Horse Park agree the lawsuit regarding full-time occupancy has changed the community. While some highlight the newly enhanced security measures and increased accountability as improvements, others in the park decry their lack of privacy and cite board overreach and tunnel vision related […]
Lake Linganore residents want traffic to slow down; homeowners association will consider (MD)
Woodridge Road is a fairly common looking residential street that runs off Gas House Pike downhill and slightly snakes before connecting to other eastern parts of communities that make up the Lake Linganore Association. It’s also where, according to some residents, speeding motorists have been a huge issue during the past several months, as new […]
White Horse Park Residents Want County Out Of Lawsuit (MD)
A trial is currently scheduled for Dec. 15 and 16 after last month’s settlement talks resulted in no agreement between the parties. Cropper’s clients filed their lawsuit against Worcester County last fall after the county announced plans to begin enforcing White Horse Park’s seasonal occupancy restrictions. Residents, many of whom have lived at White Horse […]
Officials: 18 residents displaced after car crashes into condo building (MD)
Eighteen people are without a home after officials say a car crashed into a condominium building, according to the Prince George’s County Fire Department. Read the article………………………………..
Clipper Mill court hearing lifts veil on developer’s tactics to keep residents in line (MD)
Grilling the lawyer handling Larry E. Jennings’ litigation against residents of the Clipper Mill community, Baltimore Circuit Court Judge John Nugent kept returning to one issue: The developer’s request for millions of dollars of damages. “Let me ask you a question: $25 million in punitive damages?” Nugent asked Jennings’ attorney. “What am I to take […]