Category Archives: Maryland Legislation

Replacement Reserve Funding Required for Condos and HOAs in Prince George’s County, Maryland

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A reserve study to determine the funding needed for future major repairs and replacement of common property in condominiums, homeowner associations and housing cooperatives in Prince George’s County, Maryland will now be required by a new Maryland law, effective October 1, 2020.

The replacement reserve study must be prepared by a qualified professional and identify each structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing component of the common property and any other components that are the responsibility of the condo, HOA or coop to repair and replace. It must also state the normal useful life and estimated remaining useful life of each component; state the estimated cost of repair or replacement; and state the estimated annual reserve amount necessary to accomplish any future repair or replacement.

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2020 Vision: Maryland Condominium Legislative Update

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Condominium insurance, replacement reserves and dispute resolution procedures were among the condominium and homeowners association topics which were considered during the 2019 Maryland legislative session.  However, virtually no new laws affecting community governance were enacted this year.

Looking ahead to 2020, legislation concerning insurance, reserves and dispute resolution is likely to introduced again.

Condominium Insurance Deductibles

Where damage to condominium units and common elements is caused by fire, water or other perils covered by the master property damage insurance, the Maryland Condominium Act requires a unit owner to pay up to the first $5,000 of repair expenses when the cause of the damage originates in that owner’s condominium unit.  While some condos choose a higher deductible, others can only obtain insurance with a deductible of $10,000 or more.  This leaves the condominium association responsible for repair expenses between $5,000 and the amount covered by insurance. Continue reading →

2018 Maryland Legislative Update–New Laws Help Condos and HOAs

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The hot topic during the 2018 Maryland legislative session was how Maryland will adapt to recent changes in federal income tax and health insurance laws.

Beyond the headlines, the Maryland General Assembly considered many bills which directly affect Maryland condominiums, homeowner associations, and housing cooperatives. Several new laws which help condos and HOAs were enacted. Continue reading →

Maryland Legislature Bans Developer Restrictions on Condominium Warranty Claims

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Legislation to prevent condominium developers from imposing restrictions on condominium warranty claims was passed by the Maryland General Assembly during the final days of the legislative session in April, 2018.  In recent years, condominium developers have put provisions in condominium bylaws and sales contracts to limit the ability to condominium associations and unit owners to sue the developer for construction defects. Continue reading →

Condo and HOA Board Member Training Classes

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On Sunday February 25, 2018, a training class for condominium, homeowner association, and co-op board members was presented at the Civic Building in Silver Spring, Maryland by attorney Tom Schild of Thomas Schild Law Group, LLC and Mark Fine, Chair of the Montgomery County Commission on Common Ownership Communities (CCOC).    

All common ownership community board members in Montgomery County, Maryland are required to take a 2-hour training class within 90 days after being elected or appointed to the board for the first time.  The CCOC’s Community Governance Fundamentals class provides board members with a basic understanding of the responsibilities and procedures for governing their community association. The training class topics include association governing documents and statutes, meeting and decision-making procedures, financial management, and owner rights and responsibilities.

Attorney Scott Silverman of Thomas Schild Law Group, LLC  presented a program on hot topics in Fair Housing in Washington, D.C. at Annual Conference of the Washington Metro Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) on Saturday March 10, 2018.  Topics include an overview of fair housing laws, board response to disputes between residents, and accommodations for service and emotional supports animals.

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.

Maryland Makes it Easier to Amend Condo Bylaws and HOA Covenants

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Changes to the Maryland Condominium Act and Maryland Homeowners Association Act will soon make it easier to amend the governing documents of condominiums and homeowner associations.

The new law allows amendments to be made by a vote of members “in good standing” instead of all of the owners.  An owner is not in good standing if the payment of assessments or other charges is in arrears for more than 90 days.

Additionally, the votes required to approve amendments to condo bylaws and the declaration and bylaws of a homeowner association is reduced to 60 percent of the total votes in the condo or HOA, or such lower amount allowed by the association governing documents, beginning October 1, 2017.  Continue reading →