In 2024, the Maryland General Assembly convened on Jan. 10 and adjourned on April 8. Maryland Realtors issues a recap of all of the pertinent legislation affecting the real estate industry. This week’s summary is covering the Common Ownership Communities related legislation that passed, which all goes into effect Oct. 1.
HB 159/SB 465 - Electric Vehicle Recharging
This bill prohibits condominiums and HOAs from enacting unreasonable prohibitions against the installation of electric vehicle recharging equipment by unit owners.
HB 280/SB 446 Local Condominium and Homeowners Associations Repair Funds
Counties and municipalities may establish local funds for the purpose of repairing or rehabilitating infrastructure within Common Ownership Communities.
HB 309/SB 15 Cooperative Housing Corporations - Dispute Settlement
The dispute process for cooperatives is adjusted to extend the timeframe for members to correct violations from 10 to 15 days, grant members the right to request hearings, and written notice of violations and advance notice of hearing dates.
SB 665 Maryland Condominium Act - Amendments to the Declaration
The threshold of unit owners required to amend a condominium’s declaration is reduced from 80% to 66 2/3% once the developer has sold all units.
One important piece of Condominium Act legislation to note that did not pass, was HB 281/SB 1157, which would have increased the timeframe for condominium and HOA communities to comply with existing reserve study requirements from three years to five years, and offer additional flexibility to meet reserve requirements. The effective date of HB 107 Reserve Study law was Oct. 1, and condominium and homeowners associations’ have three years from that date to fund, according to their reserve studies, regardless of how many units are within the association. There are no exemptions for condominium associations.
Lauren Bunting is a Broker with Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva in Ocean City, Maryland.
