We believe that most Maryland homeowners live in great common ownership communities with well-run associations. But too many don't. And that's why we're here.

You might not even believe the HOA and condo horror stories we hear about every day, like boards that:

• misappropriate dues money to unvetted pet projects;
   

• use the community's money to sic the association's lawyers against homeowners they don't like, fining them for made-up violations after "hearings" that deny basic rules of due process; and,
   

• violate their own by-laws by frivolously spending money without a proper vote and driving their community to near bankruptcy.

"But - but there are laws against that," you might say. And indeed you'd be right. But sadly in Maryland, no overarching authority exists to enforce most of them. The truth is that right now, to get even a modicum of justice, an individual homeowner would have to hire a lawyer and sue their own community. Few have the resources - or the stomach - to follow through.

By telling us your stories of abusive boards, property management companies, and even association attorneys, we can get state lawmakers to listen.