Maryland

Maryland Condo & HOA News

Annapolis beach community roiled by president’s theft charges: ‘He betrayed us all’ (MD) October 14, 2024
Oyster Harbor, one of 62 “special tax districts” in the county, collects $400,000 a year from a surcharge tacked onto residents’ property bills. The additional revenue is supposed to go to clearly defined community projects, like snow removal or shoreline erosion. But the county relies on community associations, usually run by volunteers, to enforce how money is spent. Read the article…………………………….
What happens when your HOA goes rogue? There’s a new solution in Prince George’s County (MD) September 18, 2024
What happens when your homeowners association ignores its own rules? In Prince George’s County, the answer is: Nothing. You can try to take it to court and watch the fees you pay get used against you while you also pay for your own lawyer; but beyond that, residents have had no recourse, until now. In a 9-0 vote, the Prince George’s County Council approved a new law that will require HOAs to participate in a hearing with the Commission on ...
Troubled condo complex in Ocean City still looking for a buyer (MD) September 6, 2024
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 article…………………………….
Anti-terrorism law requires burdensome reporting rules for HOAs (MD) September 5, 2024
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 August 20, 2024
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 alerted her neighbors. Read the article…………………………….
Still No Answers August 11, 2024
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 the borough and beyond. The blast destroyed three houses and caused significant damage to a dozen more. A house across the street remained standing but ...
Maryland must not overregulate homeowner groups July 17, 2024
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…………………………….

Maryland Condo & HOA Articles

2024 Maryland Community Association Legislative Update
The Maryland General Assembly passed legislation, effective October 1, 2024, that will impact community associations……Historically, condominiums have been required to obtain consent from 80% of the unit owners before an amendment could be made to the Declaration. This new law lowers the threshold requirement to written approval from 66.6% of the total number of unit owners. Read the article…………………………….
Tips for Living in an HOA Community
Many people new to homeowners association (HOA) living approach it as they would any other community. However, HOA’s have unique qualities that set them apart from traditional neighborhoods. The tips in this article will help you live peacefully and productively in your HOA community. Read the article…………………………….
What are Maryland developers’ responsibilities for condo and homeowners associations amid legislation changes?
Back in the 2022 Maryland legislative session, mandatory reserve requirements were passed that applied statewide to all condominium and homeowners associations. Not only did these reserve requirements apply to existing condominium and homeowners associations, but the legislation also applied to newly formed associations before control transitioned to homeowners. Read the article…………………………….
Tip to Manage Large-Scale Amenities
We sat down with Aimee Winegar, CMCA, LSM, PCAM, general manager, Worman’s Mill Community Conservancy & Urbana Commercial Conservancy, in Frederick, Md., to discuss the challenges large-scale managers face, from navigating large swimming pools with water slides to fitness centers. Winegar, who has more than 30 years of experience managing large-scale communities, shares her tips for making sure amenities operate effectively and efficiency so residents can enjoy them. Watch the video………………………….
Bad Things Can Happen When Company Officers Use Their Private Email Accounts for Work (MD)
It is generally unwise to use private email accounts for company business. Clark v. Council of Unit Owners of the 100 Harborview Drive Condominium Association, 2024 WL 2155021 (D. Md. May 13, 2024)(Quereshi, J.), provides a good example. The Clark Court did two relevant things:It ordered targeted searches of the private email accounts of officers of the defendant Condominium Association because those accounts had been used for condominium business; and, It explained when an officer’s private email is within the organization’s possession, ...
2024 Maryland Community Associations Legislative Update
The Maryland General Assembly’s 2024 legislative session saw over 1,400 House Bills and 1,100 Senate Bills introduced, with several new laws passing that will affect community associations beginning on October 1, 2024. Read the article…………………………….
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…………………………….

Maryland Laws

Condominium Law

Homeowner Association

Timeshare

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: