Homeowners Protection Bureau, LLC (HOPB)
The Homeowners Protection Bureau, LLC a private organization that educates and supports owners of properties governed by condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners’ associations (HOAs). HOPB promotes informed decision-making by publishing unbiased and fact-based information authored by qualified legal professionals. The HOPB project is an open-source HOA information platform freely available to everyone.
Federal Laws To Know For HOAs
Although state laws and regulations govern how homeowners associations operate, federal statutes have an impact too. For instance, numerous federal laws directly affect HOA functions by regulating what an association can and cannot do and providing protections to homeowners and the general public. Violations of federal law have severe consequences, even when unintentional. So, homeowners, board members, and officers must be familiar with the federal laws that apply to HOA’s.
According to the HOPB, here are the federal laws affecting HOAs:
- Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
- Fair Housing Act
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
- Freedom to Display the American Flag Act
- Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule
- United States Bankruptcy Code
- The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
Click here to learn more about how these federal laws impact HOAs.
Related Legal Issues for HOAs
Below are links to some articles about important HOA issues written by attorneys for the Homeowners Protection Bureau, LLC (HOPB).
Simply Unenforceable: HOA Covenants And How They Can Go Too Far
Facts About Selective Enforcement By An HOA
Freedom In Associations: Exercising Free-Speech Rights In An HOA
Religious Freedom In Homeowners Associations
What About The Children? HOA Age Restrictions And FHA Proscriptions
State Laws and Regulations
Maryland HOA Laws and Resources can be found through this link to HOPB’s website.
This HOPB web page includes links to State and Federal laws and regulations including solar panels and Maryland legal resources as well as links to government agencies and resources to help homeowners that live in an HOA.
Worcester County Maryland Laws and Regulations
Stormwater management code and requirements in Worcester County, MD can be found here.
Coastal Bays
Short term rentals
HOA Documents
In addition to this online governing documents website, GlenRiddle’s Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Easements, and Restrictions (CCE&Rs), Amendments to CCE&Rs, Bylaws, Lien Notices, HOA Notices, Plats, Maps, and other community documents can be found by visiting the Worcester County recorder’s office. The association’s CCE&Rs must be recorded with the Worcester County land records to be enforceable. Online Land records can be searched. You will need a login to access the records. Select Worcester County in the top menu, then select Corporation Search in the left side menu. Then select Corporation Contains in the dropdown box and enter GlenRiddle. See mdcourts.gov for more information.
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