The District of Columbia Condominium Act has been amended to require new notices and information be provided to condominium purchasers and unit owners.

When a condominium advises the owner of its intention to take legal action to collect any past due amount owned by the unit owner, the owner must be provided with a statement of account showing the total amount past due, including a breakdown of the categories of amounts claimed to be due and the dates those amounts accrued.

The notice of delinquent assessments must also include contact information for the condominium so the owner knows who to contact to settle the past due amount.  Additionally, the owner must be informed of resources which the owner may utilize at the District of Columbia Department of Housing and Community Development and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The new law also requires a Washington, D.C. condominium developer to provide each purchaser with the recorded condominium declaration and bylaws and information about the rights and responsibilities of condo unit owners under the Condominium Act.  Among these rights are the right to attend most board meetings, the right of access to association books and records, and the right to cure a default in payment of assessments prior to foreclosure.

The Condominium Act amendments also establish a Condominium Association Advisory Council to advise the Washington, D.C. government on matters relating to condominiums in the District.

The new law, known as the Condominium Owner Bill of Rights and Responsibilities Amendment Act of 2016, took effect April 7, 2017.

Posted by Thomas Schild Law Group, LLC, attorneys for condominiums, homeowner associations and housing cooperatives in Maryland–including Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Howard County, Frederick County, and Baltimore County; and in Baltimore City and  Washington, D.C.