Best Practices:
Montgomery County Common Ownership Community Manual & Resource Guide: This manual is intended to serve as a resource for all common ownership communities in Montgomery County, Maryland and beyond. It was prepared by members of the Montgomery County Commission on Common Ownership Communities.
Community Association Governance Guidelines: CAI's Center for Community Association Volunteers has prepared these governance guidelines to help board members and homeowners sustain more effective harmonious communities.
Fairfax County Community Association Manual: Although this Manual has some very valuable working procedures, note that MD law may differ from VA law so always check MD law and your own county's resources first.
Other Information Sources:
American Homeowners Resource Center (AHRC): This is a nation-wide public interest interactive website for homeowners in community associations. Their stated purpose is to help preserve the constitutional and legal rights of homeowners.
Community Associations Institute Reading Room Page: This link contains informative excerpts from many of the publications available in the Community Associations Institute (CAI) Bookstore. Community Associations Institute is made up of property managers, attorneys, accountants and others engaged in work for community associations as well as community associations and interested individuals.
CAI Certified Assn Manager Complaints: CAI certified managers use the designations PCAM, AMS and CMCA after their names. CAI has manager standards and has a mechanism in place for lodging complaints. Call CAI at 888-224-4321 or click on the link above. The complaint form is at the bottom of the CAI page. Managers have lost their CAI certification for unethical behavior.
Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission: If you or your community feel you are getting unprofessional legal services you may file a complaint against your attorney with the above Commission. There is a list of disbarred and disciplined attorneys on this web site.
Maryland Insurance Administration: Many Condo/HOA issues revolve around property insurance. Clicking on this link will bring you to the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) Home Page. If you feel you are getting misleading information from your Board, Property Manager or Insurance Agent, from Home Page click on "Consumer Information", then "File a Complaint." Use the "Property & Casualty" form for Condo/HOA issues. You can file a complaint on-line, by fax or by letter. Condo owners should note that as of June 1, 2009, condominium master policy insurance policies must cover both general common elements and common elements in units. Up to $5000 of the deductible will be the responsibility of the unit owner where the damage originated. Each unit owner must be informed in writing each year as to the amount of the deductible.
With MIA Condominium Insurance Bulletin 09-22, August 31, 2009, MIA warns consumers that some management companies are telling unit owners that their claims are not covered and telling the insurer that there is no claim to be investigated; essentially blocking the unit owner from making a claim under the master policy. This type of action is inconsistent with the amendments made to the Condo Act.
Foreclosure Counseling Services: The Maryland General Assembly has enacted legislation (2007) that provides foreclosure prevention resources to homeowners. The Project HOPE, Homeowners Preserving Equity, web site can be accessed by clicking above. To speak to a counselor call 1-877-462-7555. Other services that can help you are: Maryland Foreclosure Prevention Pro Bono Project, Civil Justice Network, Legal Aid in Maryland and Neighborhood Legal Services (District.)
HOATalk.com: HOATalk is a nationwide website where association leaders can meet, share ideas and learn. The site offers an online discussion forum where thousands of HOA leaders and professionals discuss ways to better run their community associations. HOATalk also offers daily HOA news and archived news articles.