Maryland General Assembly | |
---|---|
| |
Citation | House Bill 107 |
Enacted by | Maryland House of Delegates |
Enacted by | Maryland State Senate |
Commenced | October 1, 2022 |
Legislative history | |
First chamber: Maryland House of Delegates | |
Introduced by | Marvin E. Holmes Jr. |
Passed | March 29, 2022 |
Voting summary |
|
Second chamber: Maryland State Senate | |
Passed | April 4, 2022 |
Voting summary |
|
Status: In force |
Maryland House Bill 107, also known as HB107, is a Maryland state law passed in 2022 that mandates that condominiums, housing associations, cooperatives, and homeowner associations complete a reserve study by October 1, 2023. [1] The law, passed in response to the Surfside condominium collapse, is most notable for expanding the existing law on reserve studies, which only applied to Montgomery County and Prince George's County, to the entire state, requiring community associations three fiscal years to "attain the annual reserve funding level" recommended by the study and giving the board of directors of each association the power to "increase assessments" to fund such a study, overriding any bylaws or other governing documents capping assessment increases. [2] It became law without the signature of Governor Larry Hogan. [3]
The law requires community associations, specifically cooperative housing corporations and residential condominiums, established on or after October 2022, [4] to conduct reserve studies, then update those studies every five years. [5] [6] The legislation also requires associations to annually fund the reserve amount, for repairs and maintenance, [7] recommended in the reserve study, for the study to be publicly available for inspection by any unit owner, and to attain the annual recommended level of reserve funding within three years of the initial study's completion, with no exemptions based on association size "or number of condominium units." [8] [6]
Furthermore, the law defines the specifics of a reserve study, mandates reserve studies of "common area components" every five years (for those associations without a reserve study after October 2018), [6] requires that the level of reserves be included in the annual budget, and gives association boards the power to raise money for the reserve fund regardless of governing documents restricting or capping assessment increases. [9] [10] [11] The legislation's broad language says that common-area components are important “structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing” components that need to be replaced. [6] The law also outlines four requirements for those who can prepare reserve studies. [12]
The bill does not identify funding methods for which the capital for the reserve fund needs to be collected. [6] Reserve Advisors, an engineering firm, notes that the funding recommendations of the reserve study do not have to be followed, but advised homeowner associations to not "forgo meeting the funding recommendations" [13] In contrast, the Maryland Attorney General stated that reserves must be budgeted "in accordance" with the reserve study [14] and other commercial organizations stated that funding for reserves is "mandatory" or "required." [11] [15] Commercial condominiums and homeowners associations with costs of purchase and installation costs of common components under $10,000 are not impacted by the law. [16] [17]
Similar provisions were included in the 2020 Maryland reserve study law applying to Prince George's County and Montgomery County, with this law expanding those requirements to make them applicable statewide. [18] [19] [20]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2023) |
In October 2021, Marvin E. Holmes Jr. described reserve studies as necessary because of complaints by association members that they are hit with huge special assessments because there aren't "enough funds in their reserve accounts" and argued that the bill would "help protect against those scenarios." [21] Holmes has been described as a "staunch supporter" of greater oversight of HOAs and condo associations [22] and a "housing guru" in the Maryland General Assembly. [6] Previously, the Maryland General Assembly failed to adopt statewide legislation mandating reserve studies, but adopted similar legislation for Prince George's County in 2020 and Montgomery County in 2021. [23] [24] [25] Holmes also helped write those reserve studies laws. [6]
A few government entities favored the legislation. The Maryland Department of the Environment argued that the bill's requirements would be beneficial for the agency, providing additional financial security and diligence "better ensuring" that public health and the environment "are protected." [26] The agency later stated that the law related to programs of the agency's Land and Materials Administration. [27] The Montgomery County, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Affairs Commission on Common Ownership Communities also favored the law, calling reserve studies critical to avoiding emergencies for community associations and a "little financial pain" which leads to "lower costs" in future, noting that special assessments or projects will need to be scrapped, and that "unexpected fees" implemented by association boards can be "disruptive...and are difficult to get passed." [28]
The Attorney General of Maryland supported the law. The Consumer Council, a subdivision of the Maryland Attorney General's office, called the law "warranted," argued that smaller communities are "unlikely to be overburdened by this law," and stated that the law could protect against "very high assessments" being implemented on unit owners or a disaster like the Surfside condominium collapse from happening in Maryland. [29] Another subdivision, the Consumer Protection Division, also favored the legislation. [30]
Some homeowners and condo owners favored the law, stating that it would lead to "appreciation of Homeowner properties" [31] or that state-wide mandate for reserve studies would push governing boards to adequately plan "for short term or long-term projects". [32] Previously, in June 2021, the Baltimore Sun editorial board voiced their support for making the reserve study law, applicable to Prince George's and Montgomery counties, apply statewide, arguing that unit owners will sleep better when there are "periodical assessments of maintenance needs," but said that it should not be "unduly burdensome." [33]
Other organizations only favored the law with amendments. The Community Associations Institute considered the law one of their priorities, [34] and said that having up-to-date reserves makes associations "attractive to owners, lenders, and avoiding the need for special assessments." [35] In a letter to Delegate Kumar P. Barve, CAI noted their support for the legislation, but called for building "flexibility into proposed legislation," revising the legislation to include residential and non-residential condominiums, and noted concern about "enforcement of a statewide reserve mandate." [36] Scott Silverman of the CAI argued that despite the financial burden, the law is "something that ultimately we believe will prevent catastrophic loss," while noting that "there is nowhere else to go for the money but the residents." [6] The Maryland Building Industry Association also noted that they supported the legislation, but called for an amendment which gave associations flexibility to make decisions regarding reserve funding and for exceptions as to what associations the bill should applicable to. [37]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2023) |
In an op-ed in July 2021, Arthur T. Johnson argued that the law would "impose an unnecessary cost" on many common ownership communities (COC) and "a boon" for some engineering firms and create "significant financial hardship for many COCs and their members." Instead, he called for local government to regulate COCs, rather than state government, having county government determine building safety, and county inspections rather than "expensive 5-year reserve studies." [38] The bill Johnson referred to, House Bill 313, was a similar bill also mandating reserve studies, introduced in 2021, but never passed the Maryland General Assembly, with lobbying against the bill by CAI members. [39] A commentary by Independent American Communities, in 2022 claimed that the CAI's reserve specialists will "personally profit" from the law's new requirements. [40]
The legislation was pre-filed with the Maryland House of Delegates on September 29, 2021. It was amended by the Environment and Transportation Committee [41] and later by the Judicial Proceedings Committee. [42] On March 29, 2022, the Maryland Senate voted unanimously in favor of the legislation, with three members absent. [43]
The Maryland House of Delegates concurred with the Senate's amendments and passed the legislation on April 4, 2022, by a vote of 90–39, with six not voting and six absent. Those who voted against it included Christopher T. Adams, Carl Anderton Jr., Steven J. Arentz, Lauren Arikan, Wendell R. Beitzel, Joseph C. Boteler III, and Jason C. Buckel. [44] Some argued that the law only received momentum after the Surfside collapse, with Scott Silverman of the Community Associations Institute saying “they needed the fear of that kind of disaster in Maryland to persuade everyone that a statewide bill was necessary." [6]
In October 2023, OC Today reported that the law was impacting condominium owners in Ocean City, Maryland, and across Maryland, with unit owners facing "five-to-six digit bills over the next few years" to meet the law's deadlines, which require a reserve fund for repairs and maintenance. [1] Other media reported that condominium owners in Ocean City were "grappling with substantial financial obligations" as a result of the law. [47] Some firms predicted that the law could put pressure on housing prices and result in a potential rise in "significant special assessments," large shortfalls for reserves, and result in an influx of units sold. [48] [49] One insurance company that favored the law noted that the law may seem "a bit tough on associations" and result in a "short-term struggle" for certain associations. [50] Kathleen Dartez, the legal affairs director of the Maryland Association of Realtors, stated that condo buyers should anticipate that "a special assessment or increase in monthly charges will be imposed" on condominium unit owners to build up the required reserve fund. [51] In addition, the Maryland Association of Realtors added an "Condominium/HOA Reserve Study Disclosure" to their consumer notice for buyers of residential real estate in the state. [52]
In December 2023, residents of Tudor Arms Apartments in Baltimore's Wyman Park told The Baltimore Banner that the law had been on "everyone's mind," that some people aren't going to be able to pay for the increased fees as a result of the law, and that they wish "there could have been a longer period of time" to fill the required reserve. The Baltimore Banner also noted that the law is an issue for smaller associations that can't raise the necessary funds quickly enough to fulfill regulatory requirements, especially if many residents cannot "readily contribute" the large amounts needed. [6] Lawyers, such as Bruce Brown and Jason Cook, told the publication that the bill had "good intentions" but there was a "lack of understanding" as to the impact of the legislation on residents and community associations, with volunteer board members "under the gun" to require their neighbors to pay "dramatic fee increases from their neighbors" and that the law's biggest impact would be on buildings without "proper reserves." Real estate agent Jeff Nelson argued that the law is mainly an issue for buildings that haven't been maintaining necessary reserves, while J.D. Russell of HPS Management said that regulatory compliance for some associations will be impossible in the short-term. [6] Others had concerns that the law could impact the "resale value" of properties within community associations, with lenders not providing financing for those units with underfunded reserves, while higher fees and assessments could make some units less financially attractive, "pushing down prices." [6]
In November 2024, residents of the Rockland Run condominium community, of 241 units, in Baltimore County, shared their concerns with The Baltimore Banner about rising costs, including a 15% raise in dues and a "$250,000 special assessment" that has to be split among residents, and noted that one resident asked the Maryland Office of the Attorney General for help, but was told that property manager refused to "participate in mediation or turn over audits and other documents she requested." Some residents quoted said they were considering leaving to avoid higher financial costs and reported mismanagement, while the community's property manager criticized concerns about residents, and the community's president said skepticism about the board and management were incorrect and recommended those dissenting "use the annual election process to make changes." The article also noted that the community's reserve account had been depleted to about $30,000, leading to the special assessment. [53]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2023) |
It was reported in December 2023 that the Maryland Attorney General's consumer protection division could take "enforcement action" against community associations in noncompliance. Some noted that associations not in compliance could "face civil penalties." [6]
A law which would have extended the time-frame for associations to comply with the amount stated in the reserve study from 3 to 5 years, after the first reserve study, did not pass in the 2023 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly. [54] In December 2023 it was reported that Del. Holmes was working to pass an amended law in the 2024 legislative session, to clear up "confusion," including new legislation to increase the time community associations are required "to fill their funds." [6] Others called for a "some kind of funding mechanism" to help some community associations "fill their reserve funds". [6]
A homeowner association, is a private, legally-incorporated organization that governs a housing community, collects dues, and sets rules for its residents. HOAs are found principally in the United States, Canada, the Philippines, as well as some other countries. They are formed either ipso jure, or by a real estate developer for the purpose of marketing, managing, and selling homes and lots in a residential subdivision.The developer may transfer control of an HOA after selling a predetermined number of lots.
A condominium is an ownership regime in which a building is divided into multiple units that are either each separately owned, or owned in common with exclusive rights of occupation by individual owners. These individual units are surrounded by common areas that are jointly owned and managed by the owners of the units. The term can be applied to the building or complex itself, and is sometimes applied to individual units. The term "condominium" is mostly used in the US and Canada, but similar arrangements are used in many other countries under different names.
A housing cooperative, or housing co-op, is a legal entity which owns real estate consisting of one or more residential buildings. The entity is usually a cooperative or a corporation and constitutes a form of housing tenure. Typically housing cooperatives are owned by shareholders but in some cases they can be owned by a non-profit organization. They are a distinctive form of home ownership that have many characteristics that differ from other residential arrangements such as single family home ownership, condominiums and renting.
Alpine Meadows is an unincorporated community in Placer County, California. The community is located on Bear Creek, a tributary of the Truckee River 5 miles (8.0 km) west of Tahoe City, at an elevation of 6,480 ft (1,980 m).
A condo hotel, also known as a condotel, hotel condo, or a contel, is a building that is legally a condominium but operated as a hotel, offering short-term rentals, and which maintains a front desk.
Russett is an unincorporated planned community of 613 acres (2.48 km2) within the Maryland City census-designated place in far-western Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, near the city of Laurel. It is situated in a park-like setting complemented by 12 miles (19 km) of walking trails and a 70-acre (280,000 m2) lake nature preserve.
The Community Associations Institute (CAI) is an organization that represents homeowners, condominiums, and other community associations around the world. Based in Falls Church, Virginia in the United States, the CAI has more than 60 chapters of condominium and homeowner associations with over 45,000 members worldwide. The CAI provides education and resources to help the volunteer leaders and boards that govern community associations. It also advocates for laws and regulations that benefit community associations and their members. CAI allows community associations to join together and have a unified voice.
Tom Hucker is an American elected official and a Democrat from the U.S. state of Maryland. He served from 2007 until 2014 as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from District 20, which included neighborhoods in Takoma Park and Silver Spring. He also previously served as a member of the Montgomery County Council, representing District 5 from 2014 to 2022.
Marvin Earl Holmes Jr. is an American politician. He is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 23B in Prince George's County, Maryland.
Shane Pendergrass is an American politician from Maryland and a member of the Democratic Party. She served seven terms in the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Maryland's District 13 in Howard County. She retired in January 2023 as Chair Emeritus of the Health and Government Operations Committee.
Reserves for common-interest developments are funds (reserves) collected for the long-term maintenance or replacements of the common areas in a common-interest development (CID). The funds accumulate until they are needed for such.
A reserve study is a long-term capital budget planning tool which identifies the current status of the reserve fund and a stable and equitable funding plan to offset ongoing deterioration, resulting in sufficient funds when those anticipated major common area expenditures actually occur. The reserve study consists of two parts: the physical analysis and the financial analysis. This document is best prepared by an outside independent consultant for the benefit of administrators of a property with multiple owners, such as a condominium association or homeowners' association (HOA), strata, containing an assessment of the state of the commonly owned property components as determined by the particular association's covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) and bylaws. Reserve studies however are not limited only to condominiums and can be created for any "common interest community" (CIC) properties such as resort properties, community/neighborhood associations, coops, etc.
The Davis–Stirling Common Interest Development Act is the popular name of the portion of the California Civil Code beginning with section 4000, which governs condominium, cooperative, and planned unit development communities in California. Contrary to what the title of the Act suggests, the bill was authored/drafted by University of San Diego School of Law Professor Katharine N. Rosenberry while she served as a Senior Consultant to the California Assembly Select Committee on Common Interest Developments. Assemblymen Lawrence W. "Larry" Stirling and Gray Davis added their names as authors prior to the bill being passed/enacted by the California State Legislature in September 1985. In 2012, the Act was comprehensively reorganized and recodified by Assembly Bill 805.
East Garrison is a planned community in an unincorporated area in Monterey County, California. It is located on Reservation Road east of Marina and west of the Salinas River on the former Fort Ord. The community has 929 taxed parcels. The community contains many parks including dog parks, the 5-acre Lincoln Park with sports field as well as West Camp Park, McArthur Park, Arts Park which are approximately one acre each. East Garrison is part of Monterey County's Fourth District and, as of January 5, 2021, is represented by Supervisor Wendy Root Askew.
Common-interest development (CID) is the fastest growing form of housing in the world today. They include condominiums, community apartments, planned developments, and stock cooperatives.
Adam Leitman Bailey is an American lawyer who practices residential and commercial real estate law as founder of Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C. He was involved in several notable legal cases.
One in eight Canadian households lived in a residential condominium dwellings, mostly located in a few census metropolitan areas according to Statistics Canada Condominiums exist throughout Canada, although condominiums are most frequently found in the larger cities. "Condominium" is a legal term used in most provinces of Canada. in British Columbia, it is referred to as "strata title" and in Quebec, the term "divided co-property" is used, although the colloquial name remains "condominium".
Climate change in Maryland encompasses the effects of climate change, attributed to man-made increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide, in the U.S. state of Maryland.
Vaughn Morton Stewart III is an American attorney and politician. He is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 19 in Montgomery County since 2019.
California Senate Bill 1534 is a 1982 California statute law which established statewide options for local governments to promote and regulate secondary suites, also known as "accessory dwelling units" (ADUs) in California. Under the law, local governments were allowed the following options: