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 […]
Freedom of speech at issue in today’s Clipper Mill court hearing (MD)
Do Marylanders have a right to free speech? Not if they live in a community controlled by Larry E. Jennings and publicly criticize his plans, the developer argues in a $25 million lawsuit against residents of Clipper Mill. Now those residents are fighting back in Baltimore Circuit Court, asking for Jennings’ lawsuit to be dismissed […]
Disputed Cape St. Claire pier must go, lawsuit over erosion and property rights settled (MD)
A lawsuit between property owners and the Cape St. Claire Improvement Association was settled this month with the agreement that a pier built this spring would come down, but no easements would be granted for public access on the private land. Alan Hyatt, an attorney representing three property owners, said he doesn’t think developers anticipated some […]
Ocean City Condo Complex to Rise Above Flood Level (MD)
Chronic flooding at the Ocean Aire Condominiums is so bad at times that stormwater literally surges as high as the windows. But residents living at the condo complex at 43rd Street and West Avenue in Ocean City’s south end won’t be moving out. They’ll be moving up. Read the article………………………………
Roof rips off Ocean City condominium (MD)
Tropical Storm Isaias was more of a wind event than a rain event for Ocean City, after the roof of a condominium ripped off, most likely by a strong wind gust, approaching 70 to 80 mph. Read the article………………………………
Fire causes heavy damage, displaces dozens at Ridge View II Condominiums Sunday morning (MD)
Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire in the third floor and roof area of a three-story condominium building at 2507 Shelley Circle in Ridge View II Condominiums off Rocky Springs Road shortly before 5:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Arriving firefighters quickly called for a second alarm to battle the heavy fire. As many as 50 occupants […]
Clipper Mill developer Larry Jennings files $25 million lawsuit against residents who testified against his projects
Developer Larry Jennings has filed a $25 million lawsuit against residents in the Clipper Mill community for challenging his redevelopment plans, saying the residents have cost him “millions of dollars” by raising questions that have prevented him from moving ahead with construction. In a 37-page complaint filed in Baltimore Circuit Court, attorneys hired by Jennings […]
Road maintenance woes: Chesapeake Ranch Estates man talks of lingering issue (MD)
Lack of maintenance at a subdivision that was developed in southern Calvert County in the late 1980s and early 1990s has at least one resident upset. Dennis Burger said he purchased a house on Crazy Horse Trail in 2009 and although the Chesapeake Ranch Estates homeowners association was responsive initially, since 2017 it hasn’t been, […]
Columbia Association files lawsuit to halt annual Symphony of Lights event, citing violation of access rights (MD)
The Columbia Association and Inner Arbor Trust have filed a lawsuit in Howard County Circuit Court in an attempt to halt this year’s annual Symphony of Lights drive-thru event in Columbia. The lights tour during the holiday season draws thousands of people to Columbia each December. The suit, filed June 12, names the Downtown Columbia […]
What homeowners associations should do when residents can’t pay during the pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has delivered a multitude of horrors around the world. Along with the personal toll the virus has taken on individuals and families, the pandemic’s impact has shaken nearly all sectors of American economic life, and community associations are no exception. Millions of homeowners were under stay-at-home orders within a community association, and […]
As life moves online, an older generation faces a digital divide (MD)
As life has increasingly moved online during the pandemic, an older generation that grew up in an analog era is facing a digital divide. Often unfamiliar or uncomfortable with apps, gadgets and the internet, many are struggling to keep up with friends and family through digital tools when some of them are craving those connections […]
Community Seeks County Water Service (MD)
Residents of the St. Martins by the Bay community are asking the county to connect them to public water. The Worcester County Commissioners have agreed to schedule a public hearing regarding a request from St. Martin’s by the Bay to expand the Ocean Pines Sanitary Service Area. The expansion, which has been petitioned for by […]
Ocean Pines Seeks Lawsuit Dismissal (MD)
The Ocean Pines Association is seeking dismissal of a lawsuit filed regarding its failure to hold a referendum. On Jan. 10, attorneys for the Ocean Pines Association (OPA) filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit initiated by resident Slobodan Trendic. The legal case was filed against OPA and its board members in November after the […]
Maryland homeowners’ rights bill stems from Ryan Homes issues in Ocean City
In Maryland General Assembly, new legislation will be introduced this session to change Maryland law to stop homeowner associations from signing away the legal rights of its residents without their knowledge. The new bill, called the Sunset Island Act, is based off an ongoing situation in Ocean City. Read the article…………………………..
North Ocean City Condo Owners Continue Dispute; Mounting Legal Fees Worry Board (MD)
What began last year as a dispute between a group of north-end condo owners and its elected board of directors has now apparently turned into one owner’s crusade against the some of the board’s practices and the same board urging other owners to retaliate. Last spring, a group of unit owners at the Ocean Place […]
Silver Spring Resident Quarantined by a Sinkhole (MD)
Silver Spring resident Brian Kildee hasn’t been able to access one-third of his home the past two months, thanks to a geological phenomenon. He can’t have guests sleep over, work in his home office or access his family’s Christmas decorations. All because of a sinkhole. Kildee lives in a condominium in the National Park Seminary […]
Baltimore to audit water billing after failing to collect $2.3M from Ritz Carlton waterfront condo development (MD)
Baltimore will conduct a sweeping audit of its water billing system after discovering the city failed for more than a decade to collect a total of $2.3 million from the Ritz Carlton Residences, a high-end waterfront condominium development, Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young’s office said Wednesday.
How an obscure rule could cost Worcester County residents thousands in fines (MD)
In an emailed statement, Harold Higgins, chief administrative officer for Worcester County, stated the county’s goal is not to issue any fines, but to “elicit voluntary compliance.” “Ultimately, the White Horse Park Board of Directors is responsible for enforcing the declarations and covenants regarding seasonal occupancy,” Higgins wrote in an email. To enforce the zoning […]
Lewes Public Library files suit against Five Points over land dispute (MD/DE)
A “Free Little Library” at The Villages of Five Points in Lewes is now the center of a lawsuit. Lewes Public Library filed the suit against Villages of Five Points Property Owners Association over a months-long land dispute. It wants a court order declaring the land belongs to the nonprofit and that it has built […]
Elected officials weigh in on sober living home’s right to operate in Frederick neighborhood (MD)
A sober living house at 439 Delaware Road in the River Crest neighborhood in Frederick sparked controversy the moment it opened its doors in late April. While some nearby residents still object to the house being there and a ruling from the city that allowed it, city officials largely supported a June 5 memo from […]
Decision on fines for homeowners delayed, public input encouraged (MD)
The Ocean Pines Board of Directors is holding off on a decision on a referendum that would allow the governing body to fine certain property owners. We’re told the board decided to hold off because they have two interim members with one vacancy, and will hold off on making this critical decision after the elections. […]
Rodgers Forge cuts racist wording from historic deeds; Balt. Co. Exec. is ‘proud’ (MD)
A Baltimore County community has been working to remove racist language from its historic deeds. Last year, Rodgers Forge became the first neighborhood group in Maryland to apply to remove the wording, reports The Baltimore Sun. Read the article…………………………
Controversy brewing over ‘adults only’ swim time in Gaithersburg community (MD)
Did you hit the pool this Memorial Day? At many pools, there’s a whistle blown every hour or so alerting everyone that it’s time for adult swim! But if that’s happening at the pool where you live, it could be breaking federal law. Some Gaithersburg residents found that out the hard way this holiday weekend. Read […]
South Hampton HOA treasurer pleads guilty to embezzlement charge (MD)
Just days before his trial was set to begin, South Hampton Homeowners’ Association treasurer Benedicto Afroilan pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor charge of fraudulent misappropriation, likely bringing an end to court proceedings against Afroilan and his four co-defendants in the case. (link requires a subscription)
Special tax district for Ranch Estates OK’d (MD)
The Calvert County commissioners approved a request from the Property Owners’ Association of Chesapeake Ranch Estates for a four-year special taxing authority with a $25 fee increase. The decision to increase the fee was met with opposition. Read the article……………………
Maryland property management company accused of misusing nearly $2.5 million in HOA, condo fees
A property management company is in trouble with the state over how it spent homeowner and condo fees. The Maryland Attorney General Consumer Protection Division filed charges against Evergreen Management, LLC for misappropriating consumers’ fees paid to their homeowner associations and condominium associations. The owners of Evergreen, Jason Barry Oseroff and his late father Ivan […]
HOA president pleads to misdemeanor in embezzlement case (MD)
South Hampton Homeowners’ Association president Ulysee Davis pleaded to one misdemeanor charge of fraudulent misappropriation Tuesday, the first legal outcome arising from charges brought against Davis and four others for allegedly stealing over $100,000 from the South Hampton Homeowners Association over the course of at least five years. Read the article…………………….
Calvert board holds hearing on Ranch Club’s proposed STD (Special Tax District) (MD)
For the six time in 21 years, leaders of the Chesapeake Ranch Estates’ (CRE) homeowners’ association board have requested Calvert County officials to collect a special tax for the purpose of maintaining and enhancing roads and infrastructure. The levy being requested by the Property Owners Association of Chesapeake Ranch Estates (POACRE) is $275 per lot, […]
Ocean City condo owners fight for transparency on building repairs (MD)
Ocean City condominium unit owners are seeking answers after a proposal to repair their building’s exterior has nearly doubled in cost from what they claim are “added beautification items.” The project to repair the exterior insulation and finish system of the Ocean Place Condominiums building, located in northern Ocean City near the Delaware border, has […]
Appreciation: Benny L. Kass made buying and owning a home less scary for a generation of readers
On Oct. 7, 1972, a column debuted in The Washington Post’s Real Estate section aimed at transforming one of the most perplexing transactions for many people — buying a house — into a process they could understand and manage. At first, the column by Benny L. Kass was called Counsel to Home Buyer and Owner. […]
Grand jury adds embezzlement charges to HOA case (MD)
A Charles County grand jury has handed down indictments against five people accused of stealing money from the South Hampton Homeowners’ Association, including embezzlement charges for the two HOA officers who were allegedly involved in the scheme. The indictments, filed on Dec. 14, charged South Hampton Homeowners’ Association president….. (requires subscription to read the […]
Residents turn port-a-potty into festive spectacle (MD)
When a construction crew placed a port-a-potty in a Frederick County neighborhood, residents transformed the eyesore into a spectacular holiday light display – complete with a disco ball. The portable toilet appeared in the Urbana neighborhood for the construction crew retrofitting a nearby storm water management pond. Read the article…………….
How to have influence on your condo board
Q: I own a small condominium in a midsize building in Chicago. I pay around $500 per month in assessments, and the building has more than $600,000 in reserves. The association hired a consultant to deliver a reserve study to the board, but it has not been posted to the condo building website. Read the […]
Three new headaches for homeowner associations
What do drones, copyrights and mold have in common? According to USI Insurance Services, a national insurer with more than 50 offices throughout the country, these are some of the emerging trends that homeowner associations are — or will be — facing in the coming years. They all affect the financial well-being and the investments […]
South Hampton HOA president, treasurer charged with felony theft (MD)
South Hampton Homeowners’ Association president Ulysee Davis, his wife Linda and HOA treasurer Benedicto Afroilan have each been charged with felony theft and conspiring to steal in excess of $100,000 for allegedly stealing money from the South Hampton Homeowners Association over the course of at least five years, according to charges filed by the Charles […]
Ocean City condo loses part of roof (MD)
A condo building in Ocean City lost part of its roof Sunday. High winds and rain plagued the resort during the weekend, but a chunk of the Cara Mar roof was in its parking lot on 123rd Street. A man who answered the the condo association’s phone number confirmed that part of the roof came […]
New Maryland Law Prevents Developers From Retaining Disproportionate HOA Voting Control
A new law, effective October 1, 2018, will prevent developers from retaining disproportionate voting control after selling a majority of lots within a homeowner association (“HOA”) subdivision. This law ends the practice where some HOA developers created governing documents that gave them multiple vote for each unsold, Read the article………………..
Why your development could be in big trouble if your HOA documents aren’t set up properly
Q: My husband inherited a private development that his father owned in West Virginia. How does one go about starting a homeowners association (HOA) for something like that? The lots were sold without any agreement about an HOA. All the extra costs like roads and sewer and snow removal have been covered privately, thus making […]
Mother fights back after neighborhood dog attacks daughter, dog twice
A battle had been brewing for three years, after a neighborhood dog named Debo attacked Norma Coates’s daughter and his dog, Lucky, back in 2013. And then it happened again this year. Read the article…………
County Says ‘Trash Enclosures’ At New Bethesda Condo Building Must Be Removed (MD)
Six outdoor trash storage “enclosures” made of stone and marble at a new Bethesda luxury condominium building aren’t allowed and must be torn down, according to a county permitting official. Read the article………….
Management Firm Owner Admits to Stealing Over $2.5 Million from Client Homeowner and Condo Associations (MD)
William Kyndall Francis, age 39, of Elkridge, Maryland pleaded guilty today to wire fraud. The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Kevin Perkins of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office. Francis owned and operated Legacy Investment and Management, […]
Maryland Court of Special Appeals Upholds Contempt Ruling Against Condominium
The Maryland Court of Special Appeals has upheld a ruling of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City finding a Condominium Council of Unit Owners in contempt of court for failing to make common element repairs within the time designated in the ruling of an arbitrations panel, and ordering that monthly payments to the displaced unit […]
Maryland General Assembly Passes Bill That Will Limit Condo and Homeowner Association Liability For “Errors and Omissions” In Resale Certificates
A bill that was originally intended to limit fees charged by condominium associations for providing resale certificates has passed both houses of the Maryland General Assembly with amendments that limit the association’s liability for inaccurate information contained in those certificates. The Maryland Senate has joined the House of Delegates in passing an amended version of […]
New laws (MD/DC) next year mandate bicycle storage, training for board officials
If you are a member of a community association board of directors in Montgomery County, as of January 2016 you will be required to take basic training within 90 days after being elected. And if you live in an apartment in the District and own a bicycle, your landlord may be obligated to provide storage […]
Report suggests more staff, technology for homeowner-association review board (MD)
A new report has found that a county commission that oversees issues involving homeowner associations generally works well, but could use more staff, updated technology and a greater focus on education and advocacy. Read more………
Two-hour educational video soon to be required viewing for HOA, condo stewards (MD)
Members of the governing boards of the county’s 1,000-plus condo associations and HOAs will soon be required to watch a free, two-hour, online video about the basics of running a common ownership community. Read more……….
Leisure World of Maryland: Governance Needs To Be Certified- (Follow Up)
As President of the Leisure World of Maryland resident advocacy organization “JustUs”, I want to thank Councilman Leventhal and his staff for honoring my request and introducing this most significant legislation. The origins of this landmark legislation are addressed within the article “Grade “A” Certified: R-E-S-P-E-C-T, Truthfulness and Advocacy”. Read more………
Homeowners association governance regulations proposed
The Charles County Commissioners discussed new regulations for homeowners associations that may spring up from future developments at their Tuesday, Oct. 8 meeting. Charles County attorney Barbara Holtz said the new regulations were proposed to help prevent future pitfalls current homeowners associations, which will not be affected by the proposed additions to county code, have […]
County asked to take over roads near Wisp (MD)
The roads will be abandoned once D.C. Development bankruptcy proceedings are complete. Klaus Schmidt, a board member of Kendall Camp Property Owner’s Association, asked the county to take over ownership of the roads and asked that the association be given a seat at the meeting Read more…….