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.
Who can give me information about a specific HOA? Ask your licensed real estate professional, your local Judge of Probate or call/visit the subdivision office. All HOAs have documents on file in the Probate Judge's office locally.
HOA Documents - The association's Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), Amendments to CC&Rs, Bylaws, Lien Notices, HOA Notices, Plats, Maps, and other community documents can be found by visiting the county recorder's office website in which the association is located.
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.
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.
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.
Once you buy a home that's part of an HOA, you automatically become a member of the HOA. HOA rules are legally binding, and you must adhere to all rules and regulations in the governing document. Yes, there are bylaws that you may not like, but there are no HOA loopholes.
Many HOAs maintain a website where governing documents are posted. To find HOA rules and regulations online: Navigate to the HOA's official website. Look for sections labeled “Documents,” “Governing Documents,” or “Rules and Regulations.”
Starting January 1, 2024, the HOA fines associated with things like overgrown landscaping, parking violation, house alterations and more become clearer. "Sometimes it's a matter of lack of communication that happens in some HOAs,” he said. “And the intent of this bill is to make sure that that communication happens."
Other rules apply to the use of the facilities and the adherence to certain architectural guidelines. Anyone who doesn't comply with these laws may be subject to fines, but the HOA can't evict them. These fines, along with unpaid HOA fees, can lead to the removal of non-compliant homeowners from a community.