Violation of Maryland HOA Law? Here's How to Appeal Easily!

Violation of Maryland HOA Law is a serious offense that may result in fines or even illegal charges. But while most HOAs are created to make the community safe, enforce maintenance procedures, and provide a sense of organization, some HOAs overstep their boundaries and charge you unlawfully. The question, however, is how do you handle unjust ? It's simple, file your complaint with DoNotPay. Read on to understand the steps.

Maryland HOA Governing Documents

The Maryland Condominium Act ("Condo act") together with Maryland Homeowners Association Act ("HOA act") are lists of various laws that give condominiums and HOAs special rights in Maryland. It also helps clarify some concepts related to these types of communities.

Once you buy a home under a Maryland HOA, you'll receive governing documents.

Document	Content
Copy of the declaration	Outlines the rights of each member as well as the HOA obligations to its members.
A set of bylaws	Specifies the laws and procedures that apply to elections, voting, and term limits, among other things.
HOA rules and regulations	Expounds on how covenants, conditions, and restrictions are interpreted and implemented.

If your set of governing documents is null on a given subject, then it is likely that the corresponding HOA or Condo statute will help to fill in the gap. There are also specific laws that override anything written into your governing documents for daycare managers, no-impact home-based business owners, political sign owners, or someone who distributes printed materials like pamphlets to residents in their neighborhood. This way can be identified.

Common HOA Violations Against Homeowners in Maryland

Common violations include:

1. Littering

Littering is considered a misdemeanor in Maryland. So if you throw food scraps onto your neighbor's lawn while they're out of town and get reported, prepare a couple of hundred dollars as a fine.

2. Parking

You are allowed two cars per unit. You can park one car in a garage and one on the street. Contact the HOA for permission to add parking spaces if you have more than two vehicles.

3. Pets

Keep your pets in a fenced yard or kennel that meets Maryland's minimum requirements for animal containment. The fence must be at least 6 feet tall with an open top that allows for proper ventilation. You'll also need to provide a water source for your pets and pick after them in case they litter.

4. Appearance

The HOA can fine you for not keeping your property in good condition. It also applies to other aspects of your home's appearance, like debris in the driveway or garage.

5. Unfair Elections

It is your fiduciary right to have access to information about:

How constantly the board used absentee ballots during HOA elections.
How often votes were miscounted due to errors caused by software bugs
Whether there was any evidence showing that ballots were tampered with during counting.

If your HOA doesn't freely provide these details, then fill out a complaint form.

How to Face Your HOA for Unjust HOA Violations in Maryland

The guide below will help you get answers from your HOA before taking any further steps.

1. Identify Your Complaint.

Knowing what the issue is is the first step in filing a complaint. If you're unsure, talk with the board members and find out what they think happened. Once you've figured out what's going on, file your complaint!

If any problems with the HOA rules or bylaws were put into place by its members (and only them), then note them down. This way, the relevant parties (you and maybe the neighbors) can address the situation.

2. Prepare Your Complaint

The next thing to do is to write a complaint to your HOA and include the following:

The type of violation (e.g., broken doors or windows) that occurred at the property
Names and addresses of all relevant parties involved
Evidence demonstrating how this incident affected your life or property—for example, copies of bills from repairers who came out after the incident or photos detailing damaged areas (if applicable)

3. Wait For a Response

You should expect the process to take some time. If you don't hear back from your HOA within a few months, it could be because they are simply busy with other issues and can't get back to you immediately. You should keep an eye on the situation and contact them again if there's been no response after several months of waiting.

If all else fails, try calling or emailing your local government agency (like county commissioners or city council members). They could have a better way to handle your issue.

File a Complaint Against Your HOA in Pennsylvania Using DoNotPay

Whether it's a minor issue or something that could cause significant damage, it's essential to know what is expected of you as a homeowner in Maryland. But if problems arise with your HOA, whether minor or significant, contacting an expert like DoNotPay can help solve the problem quickly and efficiently.

Just take these simple measures:

Tell us why you received the fine (what violation are you being accused of)?
Tell us the amount you are being fined for.
Describe why you think this fine is wrong or unfair. For example, the alleged violation may have incorrect details or you may appeal on the basis that the rule is selectively enforced and discriminatory.
Enter the date you received this fine and whether or not you received prior warnings.