HOAs can be a homeowner turnoff, but many still don’t get involved

Homeowners associations are increasingly common in residential communities in the U.S. and their intended purpose is to ensure quality of life and property values, but owners who live in HOA communities have lots of complaints about them, even if they don’t bother to get involved.   Read the article…………………………….

Fire Sprinkler Saves Bel Air Condominium from Significant Damage (MD)

A fire sprinkler system is being credited with preventing major property damage and saving lives, including a beloved pet, during a fire at Park View at Bel Air, a multi-unit senior condominium, on Sunday afternoon. No injuries were reported, and only a few residents were temporarily displaced, receiving assistance from friends and family.   Read the […]

Residents allowed to remain in homes (MD)

The city of Laurel was able to rescind the notice to vacate order for the residents of The Tiers of Laurel Lake Condominiums before the Jan. 10 deadline, as the complex was deemed safe for occupancy, city staff said.  “We have confirmation from the city that we are good to go,” Natalie Stuppard, vice president […]

Condo Owner Rips County on Building Energy Standards (MD)

Last week, when Council Member Kristin Mink joined Council Member Will Jawando in opposing the Planning Board’s Attainable Housing Strategies initiative, she recommended several alternatives in justifying her position. Among them was “supporting older condo buildings and townhouses with HOAs. Many of these properties are at risk of failing due to huge maintenance costs, often […]

Laurel condo complex makes safety upgrades to keep residents in their homes (MD)

Residents in one Laurel condo complex are breathing a sigh of relief Friday after city officials rescinded a notice to vacate order that would have forced them to leave their homes.  The city of Laurel stepped in after years of warnings about dangerously unsafe stairwells at the Tiers of Laurel Lake Condominiums that they say […]

Maryland condominium has no heat and no easy solution in sight

According to a note from the condo’s management, the entire complex is without heat. There is a system of underground pipes that must be repaired. It may take contractors up to three weeks to fix the problem. The note suggests that they seek other accommodations.    Read the article…………………………….

Annandale resident lost everything in a fire (MD)

Because the fire investigators found asbestos in the building, the nine families who live there are prohibited from getting into their apartments to get their possessions. They haven’t been told when they’ll be able to move back – only that it could be six months to a year.   Read the article…………………………….

Court Temporarily Blocks – CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT

A federal court has issued a nationwide injunction temporarily blocking the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), originally set to take effect on January 1, 2025.  The CTA mandates condominium and HOA board members to report beneficial ownership information (BOI) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). However, this recent ruling from a Texas […]

Maryland man uses flamethrower to burn ‘TRUMP’ into road

A Glen Burnie man is facing charges after police say he used a flamethrower to burn “TRUMP” and “USA” into the middle of a residential road.  According to court documents, Anne Arundel County Police learned of the burning from the Creekside Village Homeowner Association. The HOA told officers that the incident was recorded and later […]

‘State law forces huge condo increases’ (MD)

In 2001, the collapse of a tower in Florida prompted a wave of state legislatures to pass laws designed to improve the stability of condominium buildings.   The Maryland General Assembly was part of this trend, passing legislation during the 2022 session that might have had good intentions, but has now triggered large rate increases for […]

$600K HOA fees class action settlement (MD)

A $600,000 class action settlement resolves allegations that Small Community Specialists, Associations Inc. and HOAM Ventures charged Maryland consumers fees to make online payments for homeowners association dues and other expenses.  The HOA fees settlement benefits Maryland consumers who paid a fee to Small Community Specialists, Associations Inc. and HOAM Ventures for HOA dues, condominium […]

Easton Club East restarts HOA election, reaches settlement with resident (MD)

The retirement neighborhood Easton Club East has restarted its board election following the settlement of a lawsuit in which a resident alleged his nomination was unlawfully rejected.   On Oct. 21, Jerry Wade filed a complaint in the Talbot County Circuit Court claiming the Easton Club East Community Association violated its bylaws and exceeded its authority […]

Easton Club East resident requests court to order delay of HOA election (MD)

A resident of Easton Club East has filed a complaint requesting an injunction against the Easton Club East Community Association’s board election after his candidacy was rejected.  Jerome Wade, represented by attorney Lyndsey Ryan, filed the complaint on Oct. 21, according to Talbot County Circuit Court records. It outlines why he is “challenging the unlawful […]

Troubled condo complex in Ocean City still looking for a buyer (MD)

Two months after a shuttered Ocean City condominium complex went up for sale with an asking price of $7 million, there is no word whether the property is attracting any interest from would-be buyers.  The troubled Seaspray condominiums were closed down by the city last April following structural problems at the 32-unit complex    Read the […]

Anti-terrorism law requires burdensome reporting rules for HOAs (MD)

The Braddock District Council of Community Association warns HOAs that they will face significant, burdensome reporting requirements, beginning Jan. 1, 2025, under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA).  The boards of HOAs, condo associations, and community associations will be required to report annually to the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network    Read the article…………………………….

Community rallies around dozens displaced by Maryland condo building fire

More than 40 residents’ homes were damaged or destroyed by a fire in Clarksburg, Maryland, Saturday, and they’re getting by with help from the community.  Jala Carter, her fiancé and their four kids were home when fire ripped through their condo building about 8 a.m. She pulled the fire alarm, got her family out and […]

Still No Answers

As a Plum community pauses to remember those who died in a fatal house explosion a year ago, questions about the cause remain unresolved and a mayor is demanding answers.  Six residents in the Rustic Ridge neighborhood died as a result of the massive Aug. 12 explosion, which sent shock waves that were felt throughout […]

Maryland must not overregulate homeowner groups

I am writing to address the growing concerns among Maryland’s homeowners’ associations regarding the potential ramifications of the Corporate Transparency Act on operations. While transparency within corporate structures is undoubtedly important, applying the act to homeowners’ associations presents unique challenges that merit careful consideration.     Read the article…………………………….

City of Rockville Honors Community for Environmental Excellence (MD)

“The Mayor and Council and the city’s Environment Commission honored two community members and a condominium association in May with Environmental Excellence Awards recognizing contributions to Rockville’s environmental health and sustainability.  Westmore Commercial Condominium Association, Inc. for Outstanding Leadership in Environmental Practices for inspiring and supporting its auto service members’ efforts to clean up and […]

Hit by SLAPP suit, Clipper Mill residents punch back (MD)

In a stunning twist, the individuals and entities Baltimore developer Larry Jennings sued for $25 million in 2020 have filed a class action suit against him, saying courts should send a message against lawsuits designed to intimidate    Read the article…………………………….

Condo complex residents struggle without A/C during heat wave (MD)

Staying cool is difficult these days for Alfonso Passeri and his family.  “Something I just got to do to stay cool, man,” Passeri said, using one of several fans set up around the home he shares with his mother and younger brother at the Cherry Glen Condominiums.  They and others who live in the complex […]

Beltsville condo residents must endure heat wave with no air conditioning (MD)

With a heat wave in the forecast, concern is growing among condominium residents in Beltsville.  Residents at the Cherry Glen Condominiums said their entire complex has been without air conditioning for months.  “This is serious,” said 30-year resident Denise Joyner. ‘This is life or death stuff. You’re talking about ‘be patient.’ We’ve been patient for […]

Harford County investigates drive-by shooting in a usually peaceful community (MD)

Michael Beavers is a former board member of the homeowner’s association for the Gunpowder community.  “Shocked. It doesn’t happen here. I mean this is a quiet neighborhood. We hear about it on the news, but it doesn’t happen here,” said Beavers.  According to Beavers, the HOA placed hidden cameras throughout the community to deter crime, […]

Owners at Closed Ocean City Condo Complex Appeal for Help (MD)

Frustrated owners at the shuttered Seaspray Condominiums appealed to Ocean City officials Thursday to get the complex reopened for the summer vacation season.  For now, red tags have been slapped on the condo complex at 34th Street and Bay Avenue declaring that the buildings are currently “unsafe for human occupancy.”    Read the article…………………………….

Ocean City Condo Complex Remains Closed for Safety Repairs (MD)

An Ocean City condominium complex that was shut down last week by the city’s construction official amid safety concerns will remain closed until structural repairs are made.  For now, red tags have been slapped on the Seaspray condos at 34th Street and Bay Avenue declaring that the buildings are currently “unsafe for human occupancy.”   Read […]

Ocean City Condo Complex Shut Down Amid Safety Concerns (MD)

An Ocean City condominium complex with a history of alleged structural problems dating back more than 40 years has been declared unsafe and was closed down by the city.  Ocean City’s construction official issued “unsafe structural notices” and ordered the Seaspray condos to be vacated until repairs can be made, city spokesman Doug Bergen said.  […]

Microwave starts fire at condominium building in Harford County (MD)

A microwave started a fire at a condominium building in Harford County, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal.  A neighbor of the occupant heard a smoke alarm and later discovered the occupant inside her apartment with heavy smoke, fire officials said. Another neighbor assisted her out of the apartment.   Read the article…………………………….

Condo building burns up in fire in Bowie (MD)

Fire crews in Prince George’s County are working to put out a fire that burned through a condo building on Monday.  The fire department responded just after 1 p.m. to the multi-family dwelling which is a condo building. Flames were showing through the roof, and the fire has caused significant damage.    Read the article…………………………….

Worcester lawmakers talk bills on condo repairs, fallen hero taxes, more (MD)

The 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…………………………….

Columbia Association board on track to select a new leader by late April (MD)

A 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 […]

Maryland judge sides with insurer in dispute involving 22 damaged condo roofs

A 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)

The 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…………………………..

‘It’s torture by a thousand cuts’ | Residents still search for answers one year after Potomac Oaks Condominiums explosion (MD)

On November 16, 2022, a 36-year-old man reportedly took his own life setting off a chain of events that caused an explosion at the Potomac Oaks Condominiums. The explosion left 14 people injured but only the 36-year-old man was killed. Montgomery County Department of Police Chief Marcus Jones said in 2022 that investigators have no […]