Community Association Newsletters

As community associations continue to adapt to new resale requirements, lengthy lender questionnaires, and the dreaded “blacklist” of projects deemed ineligible for financing, we strive to find ways to support our clients.  This article aims to provide an overview of the requirements and provide suggestions for how managers and boards can try to serve their members’ interests.

As you may know, the District of Columbia and Maryland have adopted Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) that apply to many of our condominium clients. 

The 2024 Virginia legislative session was a busy one! Over 3,500 bills were introduced in the session and many of them impacted community associations in some way. A summary of the most pertinent proposed legislation which passed is below, as well as a two of the more critical bills we anticipate returning to the General Assembly in the 2025 session.

There were many bills surrounding affordable housing this session and, of course, clean energy initiatives; some of which passed, and others did not. The following bills passed the Maryland General Assembly in the 2024 session and were signed by Governor Wes Moore. The laws will become effective (unless otherwise indicated) on October 1, 2024. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

High-Rise Buildings – Fire Safety Requirements

By: Luke A. McQueen and R.A. Hurley

Foreclosure of a home or unit is an option for recovering assessments.  The laws governing foreclosure options have evolved and been tweaked by legislatures over the last few years. Here is a quick survey of foreclosure options in the various jurisdictions.

By: Todd A. Sinkins

By: Leslie Brown and Patrick Roche

Rising premiums?  Water damage deductibles?  Excess and surplus markets? 

Is that a Bird or a Plane? Regulating Drone Use in a Community
By: Mariana R. Teran and Ruhi F. MirzaDrone Regulations
 

The New Corporate Transparency Act

What Boards and Managers Need to Know

By: Todd A. Sinkins

We often receive questions regarding an association’s maintenance, repair, and replacement obligations.  For example, who is responsible for maintaining, repairing, or replacing the exterior unit windows and doors?  Of course, the answer is always, “it depends.”  It depends largely on the condominium instruments, and in some cases the jurisdiction.