Patrick Johansen Founder of HOA Reform Leaders Standing Up for HOA Homeowners Across the U.S.: An Interview with Patrick Johansen of HRLNG   Patrick Johansen  is the founder of HOA Reform Leaders National Group  (HRLNG), “a volunteer association dedicated to changing the laws of all the states to protect and benefit the homeowners.” Nationwide, developers are building more and more houses in Common Ownership Communities (COCs). These neighborhoods ar

Open and Fair Elections in HOAs and Condo Associations:  New Law Takes Effect on October 1 PHOTO: Washington, DC residents voting in...

New survey reveals top problems in Common Ownership Communities. Plus: Proposed solutions!

May’s newsletter reports on some of the legislation we’ve been working on to help protect your rights as a homeowner in a common ownership community. If you have suggestions for topics, or would like to share an opinion piece, please contact us at contact.charm-md@gmail.com .  We’re also happy to report we are now officially registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit , which allows us to raise funds, among other things. In This Issue  2025 CHARM-supported bills that are now law  Oth

Local governments may be able to enact laws for condo and homeowners associations. City and county condo laws are largely preempted by state law -- so much so that many local elected officials think they can't help solve local problems unless they are granted certain authority through what is called a "state local law," a state  law written to apply only to a specific local jurisdiction. ( Here is one example that regulates just Frederick County .)  However, that authority ma

How to protect yourself from abuse when communicating with your association  Suggestions for Maryland homeowners living in common communities 1)    Send an email message. You need a written record of what you asked, and how the association responded. 2)    If you do have a voice conversation, always follow that up with an email message. Write out Who, What, Where, When, and Why.  For example,   “Dear Property Manager Joe Smith:   Thank you for the phone conversation on April

The CHARM Maryland Advocate March 2025   Welcome to our newsletter for updates on advocacy efforts and how you can make a difference in Maryland! If you have suggestions for topics, or would like to share an opinion piece, please reach us at charm.md.contact@gmail.com   In this Issue   1. Launching CHARM Maryland, Inc. 2. CHARM-Maryland Endorses Del. Spiegel’s Bill HB-11-25 3. MD Legislative Calendar 2025 4. Grassroots Seeds of Discontent (Opinion) 5. What We Don’t Know, but

TIRED of Increasing HOA Fees? Your Condo Board Actions? Condo/HOA Owners: It’s Time to Make your Voices Heard!   TELL YOUR STORY. LEARN YOUR RIGHTS. ADVOCATE WITH US.   We Invite YOU to Speak Up at our Upcoming Community "Listening Session"   Saturday, April 26 at Quince Orchard Library/Meeting Room 3 - 5 pm 15831 Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Your rights according to Maryland

On January 8, 2025, the Maryland General Assembly began its legislative session. Bill requests are due on January 17. Most bills of...

Have you ever written a check to your association and put "for assessments only" in the memo line? Did the association re-assign that...

CHARM Newsletter * January 8, 2025 There’s hope for beleaguered HOA homeowners. Delegate Ryan Spiegel (Dist. 17, Gaithersburg - Rockville) has drafted a bill, MC 11-25 “Montgomery County – Common Ownership Communities – Disputes, Payments, and Elections,” that would address many grievances of homeowners who live in HOAs, condo associations, or cooperatives specifically in Montgomery County, Maryland today. Del. Spiegel hopes to win the support of the Montgomery County Del

Montgomery County - Common Ownership Communities - Disputes, Payments, and Elections (Bill)

Grassroots Maryland Group Advocates for Common Community Homeowners