With the Maryland General Assembly now in the final month of the 2017 legislative session which ends on April 10, several bills regarding community associations are still under consideration. Other bills have died in committee. A bill must be passed by the Maryland House and Senate and signed by the Governor in order to become law.
Here’s What’s HOT!
State Registration of Community Associations. Legislation to require each condo, co-op and HOA to register with the state has been passed by the House after it was amended to limit the information required. For communities which already register with the county, no additional state registration would be required. The bill is now under review in the Senate.
Manager Licensing. A bill to require community managers to obtain a State license has been introduced again this year. Manager licensing legislation was previously considered in 2014 and is under study again in the House of Delegates. The proposed legislation would require a manager to have specified training, pass a test and pay a license fee in order to provide management services to condos, coops and HOAs.
Replacement Reserves for Capital Expenditures. Every five years, each condominium and homeowners association would be required to obtain a study of the estimated costs to repair and replacement of building structural components, roads, recreation facilities and other similar items. The House has passed this legislation which is now under review in the Senate.
Foreclosure Sale Notice. A lender which sells a property at foreclosure would be required to give written notice of the proposed sale to any condo or HOA which has recorded an assessment lien against the property at least 30 days before the sale date. Notice of any postponement or cancellation of the foreclosure sale must also be provided to the property owner, condo and HOA. This legislation has passed both the House and Senate.
Governing Documents. Still under study are bills to make it easier to amend condo and HOA governing documents and to invalidate condo document provisions which limit the time for bringing condominium legal claims regarding construction defects.
Here’s What’s NOT
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. A bill to invalidate condominium and homeowner association covenants which prohibit or unreasonably restrict the installation electric vehicle charging stations in parking spaces designated for the exclusive use of a homeowner was killed by House and Senate committees.
Backyard Gardens. Also killed in committee was a bill to invalidate association covenants which prohibited gardens in the backyard of a home.
Smoking Restrictions. Legislation to allow the board of directors of a condominium or homeowners association to adopt rules to prohibit tobacco smoking in an owner’s condo or townhome was voted down in committee.
For updates and details on legislation affecting Maryland condos, co-ops and homeowner associations, sign up for the Maryland Condominium & HOA Law Blog to receive the latest blogposts by email.
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 Washington, D.C.
