Community Association News

On March 16, 2020, Governor Hogan ordered the closure of all restaurants, bars, theatres and gyms, effective immediately.  He emphasized that such action was taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and to save lives.  Although the order from the governor did not specifically reference gyms within condominiums and homeowners associations, we are taking the position at Rees Broome that the order extends to all gyms, including gyms within community associations, as the goal of the order is to reduce transmission of the virus.  In addition, as President Trump recently advised against

We have prepared this notice to sensitize you to a recent decision by the Virginia Supreme Court that reduces the level of enforceability of certain provisions that are found in association design standards and rules and regulations adopted by Boards of Directors.  Specifically, in a case called Sainani v. Belmont Glen Homeowners Association, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled against an association that was attempting to enforce the association’s seasonal holiday decoration standards. 

The Virginia Legislature approved the renumbering of several sections of the Virginia Code, including the Property Owners’ Association Act, the Condominium Act, and the Common Interest Community Management Act.
Starting October 1, 2019, the numbers of the code sections will officially change. You will notice updated references in liens and lawsuits being sent to you for signature.

Due to the relatively high prices of condominiums in the Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland areas, FHA financing has always played a big part in the condominium market. Interesting fact, the mortgage limits for FHA jumbo loans in the DC metro area and other jurisdictions in VA and MD can be as high as $726,525 for fiscal year 2019. However, the FHA condominium approval process and the regulations that guide it are constantly changing. 

December 12, 2017

Rees Broome, PC

The Virginia Common Interest Community Ombudsman issued its 2016-17 Report which provides details on the number and types of common interest community complaints adjudicated by that office during the reporting period.

September 10, 2018

Erik W. Fox, Esq.

The Fairfax Board of Supervisors voted on July 31, 2018 to permit short term rentals within the County.

SHORT-TERM RENTALS will be allowed in single-family homes, townhouses, condos, mobile homes and apartments. Per the Fairfax County website, the rules are:

• Owners or renters must be permanent residents of the property they offer for short-term lodging. This limitation is to prevent businesses from operating multiple, full-time rentals, like a hotel or motel, in residential neighborhoods.

Rees Broome, PC is proud to announce that Ursula Koenig Burgess, a Shareholder with the firm, was selected to be the 2019 President-elect of the Community Associations Institute, an international organization with over 37,000 members devoted to serving, supporting, and educating community association board members, managers and business partners.  Ursula will serve as President-elect for 2019 and then as President in 2020.  

The 2018 Virginia Legislative Update is now available on the Rees Broome, PC website.  Please click here to view.

Rees Broome, PC invites Board members and industry professionals to attend a 1-hour luncheon and presentation discussing the 2018 Virginia Legislative Update on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 12pm at our Tysons Corner, VA office.