Majority of Members Must Consent to Dissolution of HOA. Third-Party Rights and Agreements Must Be Honored in Dissolving HOA. Local Government Permitting Conditions Must Be Honored in Dissolving HOA.
COUNCIL OF UNIT OWNERS MAY AMEND THE BYLAWS BY THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF UNIT OWNERS IN GOOD STANDING HAVING AT LEAST 55% 60% OF THE VOTES IN THE COUNCIL, OR BY A LOWER PERCENTAGE IF REQUIRED IN THE BYLAWS.
Individuals can file a complaint against a homeowners' association in Maryland by contacting the Consumer Protection Division of the Maryland Attorney General's Office. Complaints can also be addressed through internal dispute resolution mechanisms if provided by the HOA's governing documents.
While homeowners' associations in Maryland are governed by the federal FDCPA, the state also has an additional legislature that regulates the collection of debt at the state level.
The statute of limitations for enforcing HOA debts and violations in Maryland is typically three years. This means that the HOA must take legal action within three years from the date the debt was incurred or the violation occurred to recover any monies or enforce compliance.
To form an HOA in Maryland, one must adhere to specific legal frameworks that include forming Articles of Incorporation and filing them with the State Department. It is through these initial steps that an HOA is legally recognized. The process integrates both state law and the particular needs of the community.
In some states, such as California, HOA bylaws are considered public record and must be made available upon request.
The local law supersedes the rules and regulations of the HOA, meaning that HOAs must ensure they are operating under the law.
The main difference is that covenants dictate property-related restrictions, while bylaws govern how the HOA operates — things like board elections, meeting procedures, and voting rights. Because covenants are recorded with the property deed and tied to real estate law, they generally hold more weight.