Maryland

Maryland Condo & HOA News

Microwave starts fire at condominium building in Harford County (MD) April 18, 2024
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…………………………….
Extreme Hoarding Conditions Hinder Firefighters Battling Maryland Blaze April 8, 2024
Hoarding conditions made things difficult for fire crews on Sunday afternoon who were called in to battle a blaze that broke out in a Harford County duplex, officials say. Read the article…………………………….
Riviera Beach residents told not to touch debris washed up from Key Bridge collapse (MD) April 3, 2024
Debris, including large pieces of wood, has washed up on the shores of a riverfront neighborhood in Anne Arundel County following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Members of the Riviera Beach Community Association say they are concerned and are looking for guidance. Read the article…………………………….
Condo building burns up in fire in Bowie (MD) March 25, 2024
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) March 14, 2024
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…………………………….
Proposed Legislation Would Reduce Percentage Required For Declaration Amendments (MD) March 4, 2024
Proposed 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, 2024
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 Lakey Boyd’s departure in January 2023. Read the article…………………………….

Maryland Condo & HOA Articles

HOAs are blocking solar panels and native lawns. Here’s how to fight back.
More Americans than ever are running afoul of their HOAs for updating their homes in ways that benefit the environment, adding solar panels, native lawns, EV chargers, clotheslines or gardens. Once a rarity, 84 percent of newly built, single-family homes sold in 2022 were part of HOAs, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Read the article…………………………….
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 association
Homeowners’ 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 Maryland
As 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 Update
The 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………………………..

Maryland Laws

Condominium Law

Homeowner Association

Timeshare

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

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: