Maryland Condo & HOA News
- Worcester lawmakers talk bills on condo repairs, fallen hero taxes, more (MD) March 14, 2024The House Environment and Transportation Committee heard a bill sponsored by Del. Wayne Hartman (R-38C) on March 5. House Bill 1262, or Common Ownership Communities-Reserve Studies-Alterations, would extend the timeline for required condominium repairs determined by an assessment from three to five years. Read the article…………………………….
- Proposed Legislation Would Reduce Percentage Required For Declaration Amendments (MD) March 4, 2024Proposed legislation pending in the Maryland General Assembly would reduce the percentage of approval votes required to amend a condominium declaration from 80 percent to 66 2/3 percent. Read the article…………………………….
- Columbia Association board on track to select a new leader by late April (MD) February 18, 2024A year after Columbia Association’s president and CEO resigned amid tensions with the board, board members say they are “on track” to pick a new leader by the end of April. Columbia Association, a massive homeowners group that in many ways functions like a city government, has been without a full-time president and CEO since Lakey Boyd’s departure in January 2023. Read the article…………………………….
- A 2022 law required HOAs to assess maintenance needs. Now it’s time to pay up (MD) December 22, 2023Maryland community associations are finding themselves squeezed by a 2022 law intended to ensure maintenance of condominiums and similar housing, but which is resulting in thousands of dollars in surprise fees and assessments that are leaving some residents struggling to make ends meet. Read the article………………………….
- Maryland judge sides with insurer in dispute involving 22 damaged condo roofs December 7, 2023A condo association submitted a claim to Philadelphia Indemnity, alleging a storm damaged the roofs of 22 condominium buildings that required replacement, claiming the replacement costs of the roofs totaled more than $1.1 million. Meanwhile, Philadelphia Indemnity estimated that the storm-related damages and repairs came in around $38,000. Read the article…………………………………
- ARC process now reflects HOA rules (MD) November 22, 2023The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors approved two resolutions to conform with the Maryland HOA Act related to Architectural Review Committee guidelines. The changes related to the workings of the committee and enforcement/notification of homeowners about violations. Read the article…………………………..
- Final investigation report into Potomac Oaks condominium explosion released (MD) November 22, 2023Tuesday night, the 21-page final investigation report from the explosion at Potomac Oaks Condominiums was released. The report was released, after WUSA9 pressed both the City of Gaithersburg and Montgomery County for answers on the one-year anniversary of the explosion. Read the article………………………..
Maryland News Archives
Maryland Condo & HOA Articles
- Five Ways to Improve Community Association Collections (MD)Community associations face many challenges, none more so than funding the upkeep and welfare of their communities. An owner who refuses to pay their share can put a heavy strain on a community association’s finances. Community associations must be proactive and aggressive in protecting their interests.Read the article…………………………….
- How to do battle with your homeowners associationHomeowners’ Associations, also known as HOAs, are often necessary and helpful — especially in multi-unit dwellings or communities with a lot of common areas — but if you poll your neighbors about whether they enjoy living in one, you’ll likely receive mixed reviews. Read the article……………………………….
- Montgomery County’s Existing High-Rise Building Sprinkler Program Maryland 2023 (MD)As of February 2023, a total of seventy-six (76) high rise buildings in Montgomery County do not have sprinklers in each unit. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that more than 2,500 people die in home fires each year. Yet, the risk of dying in a home fire decreases by about 80% when a home is equipped with a fire sprinkler system. Accordingly, for the safety of residents, visitors, and first responders, the Maryland State Fire Marshall has mandated ...
- Addressing Complaints of Marijuana Smoke In Community Associations Following Legalization Of Recreational Marijuana Use In Delaware and MarylandAs of April 23, 2023, and July 1, 2023, Delaware and Maryland, respectively, have legalized the personal use of marijuana. In light of the recent laws, common interest communities across these two states may soon (if not already), contemplate how to appropriately address an uptick in complaints related to marijuana smoke. Read the article………………………..
- 2023 Maryland Legislative UpdateThe 2023 legislative session has produced several changes to the Maryland laws applicable to community associations. This article provides a brief summary of these community association related bills recently passed by the Maryland General Assembly. Please note: All new laws set forth below will take effect on October 1, 2023. Read the article………………………..
- Changes to Condominium Insurance Requirements For “Detached” Units (MD)House Bill 98, making changes to condominium insurance requirements, was passed during this year’s legislative session and signed into law by Governor Moore. It amends Section 11-=114 of the Condominium Act concerning the mandatory insurance that is required to be maintained by the Council of Unit Owners. Read the article………………………..
- Changes to Condominium Insurance Requirements For “Detached” Units (MD)House Bill 98, making changes to condominium insurance requirements, was passed during this year’s legislative session and signed into law by Governor Moore. It amends Section 11-=114 of the Condominium Act concerning the mandatory insurance that is required to be maintained by the Council of Unit Owners. Read the article………………………..
Maryland Article Archives
Maryland Laws
The firm of Cowie & Mott provide a digital copy of the Maryland Condominium Act and Maryland Homeowner Association Act
Maryland Condo & HOA Resources
Maryland Consumer Guide: Understanding Condominium Living (PDF)
Secretary of State: Condominium and Timeshare Information
Community Associations Institute – Washington Metropolitan Chapter; Chesapeake Bay Chapter
Maryland Homeowners’ Advocacy Alliance, Inc.
A non-profit, all-volunteer, statewide organization protecting the rights pf homeowners in condominium associations, homeowner associations and cooperatives, founded in 2018 by some of the Members, Officers and Board Members of the Maryland Homeowners Association.
Montgomery County Commission on Common Ownership Communities
MISSION STATEMENT: The CCOC is committed to providing owners, tenants, residents, boards of directors, and management companies of self-governing residential communities with information, assistance, and impartial dispute resolution programs that:
- Improve the quality of life in the community
- Strengthen the self-governing community structure and
- Enhance the value of residential property in community associations
The CCOC provides these services to the public with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to the highest ethical standards.
General
Filing a Complaint
Commission on Common Ownership Communities (CCOC)
- Minutes of Recent CCOC Meetings
- CCOC Decisions
- Guide to the Procedures and Decisions of CCOC
- Meet Our Commissioners
- FY2018 CCOC Survey NEW
Homeowner Resources
- Assessments And Your Community
- How to Prepare for Your Hearing…
- What You Should Know About Buying a Home…
- What You Should Know About Your Condominium, Cooperative, or Homeowner Association
Association Resources
- Community Association Manual and Resource Guide UPDATED
- Guide to the Procedures and Decisions of CCOC
- How to Hold an Election
- Sample Association Notices: Long Form / Short Form
- Collection Issues
Laws and Policies
- Montgomery County Code: Chapter 10B. Common Ownership Communities *
- CCOC Adopts Rules on Default Judgments
- Policy Statement on Exhaustion of Remedies
- Video Recording Guidelines 2014
Publications
- Communicator Newsletter Library
- Community Association Manual and Resource Guide UPDATED
- Guide to the Procedures and Decisions of CCOC
Maryland Condominium and Homeowners Association Law Booklet
Maryland Condominium & Homeowner Association Blogs
Maryland Condominium & HOA Law
The law firm of Cowie & Mott has a number of articles dealing with construction defect issues